How to become an Athletic Trainer
Official title: Athletic Trainers
Also called: Athletic Instructor, Athletic Lecturer, Athletic Trainer, Certified Athletic Trainer, Personal Trainer, Resident Athletic Trainer, Women's Athletic Trainer
Evaluate and treat musculoskeletal injuries or illnesses. Provide preventive, therapeutic, emergency, and rehabilitative care.
Main tasks
- Conduct an initial assessment of an athlete's injury or illness to provide emergency or continued care and to determine whether they should be referred to physicians for definitive diagnosis and treatment.
- Assess and report the progress of recovering athletes to coaches or physicians.
- Care for athletic injuries, using physical therapy equipment, techniques, or medication.
- Evaluate athletes' readiness to play and provide participation clearances when necessary and warranted.
- Perform general administrative tasks, such as keeping records or writing reports.
- Clean and sanitize athletic training rooms.
- Instruct coaches, athletes, parents, medical personnel, or community members in the care and prevention of athletic injuries.
- Apply protective or injury preventive devices, such as tape, bandages, or braces, to body parts, such as ankles, fingers, or wrists.
How to become one
Athletic trainers typically need a master's degree to enter the occupation. Nearly all states require athletic trainers to have a license or certification; requirements vary by state.
Typical education to start: Master's degree
Read the full guide from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Ways in
- College: Allied Health degrees, Offered by 15 universities in the US
- Licence: A licence is required in 45 states.
Pay · Outlook · AI and this job
- Median pay: $62,520 a year The middle half earn $55,130 to $74,630.
- About 35,200 people work in this job now, and about 39,600 are projected by 2035. (+12.7%)
- People use generative AI for relatively little of this work so far. Microsoft Research rates its AI applicability as low.
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Questions people ask
How do I become an Athletic Trainer?
Athletic trainers typically need a master's degree to enter the occupation. Nearly all states require athletic trainers to have a license or certification; requirements vary by state.
How much does an Athletic Trainer earn in the US?
Median full-time pay is $62,520 a year (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). The middle half earn $55,130 to $74,630.
Is an Athletic Trainer a growing career in the US?
Yes. Employment is projected to grow 13% by 2035, from about 35,200 to about 39,600 people (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics).
Do you need a degree to become an Athletic Trainer?
Usually. 73% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Will AI change the work of an Athletic Trainer?
People use generative AI for relatively little of this work so far. Microsoft Research rates its AI applicability as low.
Sources
- Microsoft Research: Working with AI: AI applicability by occupation (2025-12-22 (built on O*NET 29.0)), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-03
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Employment Projections (2025-35 (released 2026-08-27)), Public domain (BLS), retrieved 2026-10-03
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Outlook Handbook (2025-35 edition (published 2026-08-27)), Public domain (BLS); photographs excluded, retrieved 2026-10-03
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Public domain (BLS), retrieved 2026-10-03
Updated 2026-10-03
This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.