Top Skills for This Career
BLS identifies these as the three highest-rated skills for this detailed occupation. TrustInEd adds the plain-language explanations so visitors understand what each skill means.
Adjusting effectively when priorities, conditions, tools, or expectations change.
Communicating clearly through speech while listening carefully to understand others.
Identifying problems, considering possible solutions, and choosing appropriate actions.
How Do You Prepare for This Career?
BLS describes the typical preparation for this occupation. Requirements can vary by employer, state, licensing rules and individual circumstances.
How to Become One
No formal educational credential is typically required to become an athlete or sports competitor. Athletes must have athletic talent and an extensive knowledge of their sport. They typically get such knowledge through years of practice and experience at lower levels of competition. PayThe median annual wage for athletes and sports competitors was $66,710 in May 2025. Job Outlook Employment of athletes and sports competitors is projected to grow 6 percent from 2025 to 2035, faster than the average for all occupations. About 2,200 openings for athletes and sports competitors are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for athletes and sports competitors. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of athletes and sports competitors with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about athletes and sports competitors by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Your Next Step
Review training, certifications, apprenticeships, or employer-based preparation that may support entry into this career.
Pay
The median annual wage for athletes and sports competitors was $66,710 in May 2025. Job Outlook Employment of athletes and sports competitors is projected to grow 6 percent from 2025 to 2035, faster than the average for all occupations. About 2,200 openings for athletes and sports competitors are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for athletes and sports competitors. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of athletes and sports competitors with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about athletes and sports competitors by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Job Outlook
Employment of athletes and sports competitors is projected to grow 6 percent from 2025 to 2035, faster than the average for all occupations. About 2,200 openings for athletes and sports competitors are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for athletes and sports competitors. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of athletes and sports competitors with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about athletes and sports competitors by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
What They Do
Athletes and sports competitors participate in organized, officiated sporting events to entertain spectators.
Work Environment
Athletes and sports competitors may work irregular schedules, including evenings, weekends, and holidays. They typically work more than 40 hours per week for several months during their particular sports season. They frequently work outside, so they may be exposed to all weather conditions.
How to Become an Athlete or Sports Competitor
No formal educational credential is typically required to become an athlete or sports competitor. Athletes must have athletic talent and an extensive knowledge of their sport. They typically get such knowledge through years of practice and experience at lower levels of competition.
Pay
The median annual wage for athletes and sports competitors was $66,710 in May 2025.
Job Outlook
Employment of athletes and sports competitors is projected to grow 6 percent from 2025 to 2035, faster than the average for all occupations.
About 2,200 openings for athletes and sports competitors are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for athletes and sports competitors.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of athletes and sports competitors with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about athletes and sports competitors by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Work Environment
Athletes and sports competitors may work irregular schedules, including evenings, weekends, and holidays. They typically work more than 40 hours per week for several months during their particular sports season. They frequently work outside, so they may be exposed to all weather conditions.
How to Become an Athlete or Sports Competitor
No formal educational credential is typically required to become an athlete or sports competitor. Athletes must have athletic talent and an extensive knowledge of their sport. They typically get such knowledge through years of practice and experience at lower levels of competition.
Pay
The median annual wage for athletes and sports competitors was $66,710 in May 2025.
Job Outlook
Employment of athletes and sports competitors is projected to grow 6 percent from 2025 to 2035, faster than the average for all occupations.
About 2,200 openings for athletes and sports competitors are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for athletes and sports competitors.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of athletes and sports competitors with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about athletes and sports competitors by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for athletes and sports competitors.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of athletes and sports competitors with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about athletes and sports competitors by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
More Information
Learn more about athletes and sports competitors by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Take the Next Step
Explore Training Options
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Start with ED →Career data and occupational profile text are sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook and Employment Projections program. Education requirements are typical entry-level requirements and may vary by employer, state, occupation or individual circumstance. View the official BLS profile.