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Athletic Trainer

Overview

Certified athletic trainers are highly qualified health professionals who are trained in preventing, recognizing, managing, and rehabilitating injuries that result from physical activity. Athletic trainers can help you avoid unnecessary medical treatment and disruption of normal daily life; if you're injured, they are trained to work with your healthcare provider to get you on the mend and keep you on the move.

The AMA (American Medical Association) has recognized athletic training as an allied health care profession since 1990. If you become an athletic trainer, your job prospects are good: According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), this field is projected to grow "faster than average" through 2012. Typically athletic trainers earn a salary of $35,000 to $75,000 per year.

In addition, according to a recent survey by the National Athletic Trainers' Association (NATA), athletic trainers' salaries are on the upswing.

Since 2003, salaries have risen in the following settings:

Youth sports (up 41%, to $46,296)
Professional sports (up 31%, to $50,515)
High schools (up 16%, to $42,442)
Hospitals (up 15%, to $54,292)
Performing arts (up 15%, to $56,135)
Government settings (up 9%, to $50,716)

You can download, save and print a PDF of this career profile:

Athletic Trainer September 30, 2010 [PDF 59KB]

For more information about this health career, see the National Athletic Trainers' Association website.

Working Conditions

As part of a complete healthcare team, the certified athletic trainer works under the direction of a physician and in cooperation with other healthcare professionals, athletics administrators, coaches and parents. The certified athletic trainer gets to know each patient/client individually and can treat injuries more effectively.

Athletic trainers work in a variety of different professional settings, including:

Professional & Collegiate sports
Secondary & Intermediate schools
Sports medicine clinics
Hospital ER & rehab clinics
Occupational settings
Performing Arts
Law Enforcement and Military
Physicians offices

Salary

$35,000 - $75,000

Years in school

4

Job outlook

Excellent

Academic Requirements

Certified athletic trainers have, at minimum, a bachelor's degree through an accredited athletic training program or meet other requirements set by the Board of Certification (BOC). The typical educational program includes:

Risk Management and Injury Prevention
Pathology of Injury and Illnesses
Assessment and Evaluation
Acute Care of Injury and Illness
Pharmacology
Therapeutic Modalities
Therapeutic Exercise
General Medical Conditions and Disabilities
Nutritional Aspects of Injury and Illness
Psychosocial Intervention and Referral
Health Care Administration
Professional Development and Responsibilities

In addition to academic studies, students receive clinical training in a variety of practice settings, such as high schools, colleges, universities, hospitals, emergency rooms, physician's offices, or healthcare clinics.

To find an accredited athletic training program, search for schools that provide training for this career. Also check out the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE).