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.
Working effectively with people by building relationships, understanding others, and responding appropriately.
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
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. PayThe median annual wage for athletic trainers was $62,520 in May 2025. Job Outlook Employment of athletic trainers is projected to grow 13 percent from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the average for all occupations. About 2,400 openings for athletic trainers 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 athletic trainers. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of athletic trainers with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about athletic trainers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Your Next Step
Compare colleges and education options that can support the typical entry-level education for this career.
Pay
The median annual wage for athletic trainers was $62,520 in May 2025. Job Outlook Employment of athletic trainers is projected to grow 13 percent from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the average for all occupations. About 2,400 openings for athletic trainers 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 athletic trainers. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of athletic trainers with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about athletic trainers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Job Outlook
Employment of athletic trainers is projected to grow 13 percent from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the average for all occupations. About 2,400 openings for athletic trainers 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 athletic trainers. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of athletic trainers with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about athletic trainers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
What They Do
Athletic trainers specialize in preventing, diagnosing, and treating muscle and bone injuries and illnesses.
Work Environment
Many athletic trainers work in educational settings, such as colleges, universities, elementary schools, and secondary schools. Others work in hospitals, fitness centers, or physicians’ offices, or for professional sports teams.
How to 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.
Pay
The median annual wage for athletic trainers was $62,520 in May 2025.
Job Outlook
Employment of athletic trainers is projected to grow 13 percent from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the average for all occupations.
About 2,400 openings for athletic trainers 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 athletic trainers.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of athletic trainers with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about athletic trainers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Work Environment
Many athletic trainers work in educational settings, such as colleges, universities, elementary schools, and secondary schools. Others work in hospitals, fitness centers, or physicians’ offices, or for professional sports teams.
How to 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.
Pay
The median annual wage for athletic trainers was $62,520 in May 2025.
Job Outlook
Employment of athletic trainers is projected to grow 13 percent from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the average for all occupations.
About 2,400 openings for athletic trainers 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 athletic trainers.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of athletic trainers with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about athletic trainers 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 athletic trainers.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of athletic trainers with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about athletic trainers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
More Information
Learn more about athletic trainers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Take the Next Step
Find Education Programs
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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.