All About Sports Medicine Physicians
Occupation Description Diagnose, treat, and help prevent injuries that occur during sporting events, athletic training, and physical activities.
A Day in the Life of a Sports Medicine Physician
- Develop and prescribe exercise programs such as off-season conditioning regimens.
- Develop and test procedures for dealing with emergencies during practices or competitions.
- Advise athletes, trainers, or coaches to alter or cease sports practices that are potentially harmful.
- Record athletes' medical histories and perform physical examinations.
- Prescribe orthotics, prosthetics, and adaptive equipment.
- Conduct research in the prevention or treatment of injuries or medical conditions related to sports and exercise.
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Sports Medicine Physician Required Skills
These are the skills Sports Medicine Physicians say are the most useful in their careers:
Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
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.
Judgment and Decision Making: Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Other Sports Medicine Physician Job Titles
- Director of Athletic Medicine, Head Team Physician
- Physician, Orthopaedic Surgery and Sports Medicine
- Sports Medicine Physician
- Orthopaedic Surgeon, Director of Sports Medicine
- Medical Director
Is There Job Demand for Sports Medicine Physicians?
In 2016, there was an estimated number of 372,400 jobs in the United States for Sports Medicine Physician. New jobs are being produced at a rate of 11.4% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 42,300 new jobs for Sports Medicine Physician by 2026. There will be an estimated 14,300 positions for Sports Medicine Physician per year.

The states with the most job growth for Sports Medicine Physician are Arizona, Alaska, and Utah. Watch out if you plan on working in Connecticut, Rhode Island, or Illinois. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
Salary for a Sports Medicine Physician
Sports Medicine Physicians make between $60,280 and $208,000 a year.

Sports Medicine Physicians who work in Alaska, Arizona, or Colorado, make the highest salaries.
How much do Sports Medicine Physicians make in each U.S. state?
State | Annual Mean Salary |
---|---|
Alabama | $183,510 |
Alaska | $244,220 |
Arizona | $229,090 |
Arkansas | $165,290 |
California | $208,740 |
Colorado | $219,310 |
Connecticut | $221,870 |
Delaware | $216,600 |
District of Columbia | $182,910 |
Florida | $205,020 |
Georgia | $235,060 |
Hawaii | $228,470 |
Idaho | $241,670 |
Illinois | $183,780 |
Indiana | $237,470 |
Iowa | $219,300 |
Kansas | $191,430 |
Kentucky | $223,770 |
Louisiana | $183,920 |
Maine | $257,550 |
Maryland | $196,210 |
Massachusetts | $207,990 |
Michigan | $181,760 |
Minnesota | $245,040 |
Mississippi | $174,340 |
Missouri | $203,440 |
Montana | $247,260 |
Nebraska | $161,880 |
Nevada | $227,500 |
New Hampshire | $275,840 |
New Jersey | $208,820 |
New Mexico | $229,100 |
New York | $171,060 |
North Carolina | $198,040 |
North Dakota | $266,510 |
Ohio | $212,160 |
Oklahoma | $155,130 |
Oregon | $202,750 |
Pennsylvania | $195,810 |
Rhode Island | $209,580 |
South Carolina | $185,210 |
South Dakota | $227,710 |
Tennessee | $231,960 |
Texas | $199,370 |
Utah | $218,210 |
Vermont | $176,520 |
Virginia | $199,080 |
Washington | $239,080 |
West Virginia | $222,270 |
Wisconsin | $239,610 |
Wyoming | $234,610 |
What Tools do Sports Medicine Physicians Use?
Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Sports Medicine Physicians:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Web browser software
- Email software
- Bizmatics PrognoCIS EMR
- Greenway Medical Technologies PrimeSUITE
- GalacTek ECLIPSE
- Benchmark Systems Benchmark Clinical EHR
- Epic Practice Management
- GE Healthcare Centricity Practice Solution
- Cerner PowerWorks Practice Management
- CareCloud Central
- Automatic Data Processing AdvancedMD EHR
- IOS Health Systems Medios EHR
- Kareo Practice Management
- McKesson Practice Plus
- Modernizing Medicine Practice Management
- NextGen Healthcare NextGen Practice Management
- Vitera Healthcare Solutions Vitera Intergy
How to Become a Sports Medicine Physician
Are there Sports Medicine Physicians education requirements?

How many years of work experience do I need?

Who Employs Sports Medicine Physicians?

The table below shows some of the most common industries where those employed in this career field work.

References:
More about our data sources and methodologies.
Featured Schools
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