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What Does it Take to Be an Athletic Trainer?

Athletic Trainer Definition Evaluate and advise individuals to assist recovery from or avoid athletic-related injuries or illnesses, or maintain peak physical fitness. May provide first aid or emergency care.

List of Athletic Trainer Job Duties

  • Develop training programs or routines designed to improve athletic performance.
  • Confer with coaches to select protective equipment.
  • Teach sports medicine courses to athletic training students.
  • Recommend special diets to improve athletes’ health, increase their stamina, or alter their weight.
  • Evaluate athletes’ readiness to play and provide participation clearances when necessary and warranted.
  • Advise athletes on the proper use of equipment.

What Every Athletic Trainer Should Know

Athletic Trainers state the following job skills are important in their day-to-day work.

Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Writing: Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.

Service Orientation: Actively looking for ways to help people.

Types of Athletic Trainer

  • Sports Trainer
  • Head Athletic Trainer/Strength Coach
  • Athletic Trainer
  • Sports Medicine Coordinator
  • Assistant Athletic Trainer

Job Opportunities for Athletic Trainers

In 2016, there was an estimated number of 27,800 jobs in the United States for Athletic Trainer. New jobs are being produced at a rate of 22.7% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 6,300 new jobs for Athletic Trainer by 2026. The BLS estimates 2,200 yearly job openings in this field.

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The states with the most job growth for Athletic Trainer are Utah, Colorado, and Oregon. Watch out if you plan on working in Maine, Kansas, or Wisconsin. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.

Salary for an Athletic Trainer

The typical yearly salary for Athletic Trainers is somewhere between $31,010 and $70,750.

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Athletic Trainers who work in Hawaii, Texas, or California, make the highest salaries.

How much do Athletic Trainers make in different U.S. states?

State Annual Mean Salary
Alabama $41,690
Alaska $46,870
Arizona $46,140
Arkansas $46,700
California $58,060
Colorado $53,030
Connecticut $58,920
Delaware $47,930
District of Columbia $68,470
Florida $45,130
Georgia $48,870
Hawaii $59,990
Idaho $41,200
Illinois $44,380
Indiana $45,370
Iowa $47,260
Kansas $45,860
Kentucky $47,140
Louisiana $46,650
Maine $44,320
Maryland $51,820
Massachusetts $56,850
Michigan $51,230
Minnesota $50,310
Mississippi $49,650
Missouri $45,050
Montana $42,860
Nebraska $45,880
Nevada $41,530
New Hampshire $50,210
New Jersey $51,890
New York $49,960
North Carolina $47,120
North Dakota $45,470
Ohio $46,990
Oklahoma $47,720
Oregon $48,370
Pennsylvania $48,310
Rhode Island $53,790
South Carolina $42,590
South Dakota $45,320
Tennessee $44,590
Texas $56,170
Utah $48,490
Vermont $50,470
Virginia $48,970
Washington $49,240
West Virginia $45,170
Wisconsin $49,370
Wyoming $48,960

Tools & Technologies Used by Athletic Trainers

Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Athletic Trainers:

  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft Word
  • Microsoft Office
  • Microsoft PowerPoint
  • Web browser software
  • Email software
  • Word processing software
  • Spreadsheet software
  • Database software
  • Scheduling software
  • BioEx Systems Exercise Pro

Becoming an Athletic Trainer

Education needed to be an Athletic Trainer:

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What work experience do I need to become an Athletic Trainer?

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Where do Athletic Trainers Work?

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The table below shows the approximate number of Athletic Trainers employed by various industries.

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Those interested in being an Athletic Trainer may also be interested in:

Are you already one of the many Athletic Trainer in the United States? If you’re thinking about changing careers, these fields are worth exploring:

References:

Image Credit: via Public domain

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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