What is 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.
What Do Athletic Trainers Do On a Daily Basis?
- Apply protective or injury preventive devices, such as tape, bandages, or braces, to body parts, such as ankles, fingers, or wrists.
- Collaborate with physicians to develop and implement comprehensive rehabilitation programs for athletic injuries.
- Perform team support duties, such as running errands, maintaining equipment, or stocking supplies.
- Recommend special diets to improve athletes' health, increase their stamina, or alter their weight.
- Develop training programs or routines designed to improve athletic performance.
- Massage body parts to relieve soreness, strains, or bruises.
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Things an Athletic Trainer Should Know How to Do
When polled, Athletic Trainers say the following skills are most frequently used in their jobs:
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.
Other Athletic Trainer Job Titles
- Athletic Trainer
- Resident Athletic Trainer
- Clinical Athletic Instructor
- Head Athletic Trainer
- Fitness Specialist
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. Due to new job openings and attrition, there will be an average of 2,200 job openings in this field each year.

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.
What is the Average Salary of an Athletic Trainer
The typical yearly salary for Athletic Trainers is somewhere between $31,010 and $70,750.

Athletic Trainers who work in Hawaii, Texas, or California, make the highest salaries.
How much do Athletic Trainers make in each U.S. state?
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 |
What Tools do Athletic Trainers Use?
Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Athletic Trainers may use on a daily basis:
- 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
What education is needed to be an Athletic Trainer?

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

Who Employs Athletic Trainers?

Below are examples of industries where Athletic Trainers work:

Related Careers
Those thinking about becoming an Athletic Trainer might also be interested in the following careers:
Career changers with experience as an Athletic Trainer sometimes find work in one of the following fields:
References:
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