Sports Trainer Training and Jobs
Schools and Degrees
There are numerous schools that offer athletic training programs. The programs usually include courses in subjects such as therapeutic modalities, therapeutic exercise, human anatomy and physiology, athletic training program administration, kinesiology/biomechanics, exercise physiology and nutrition.
Training and Education
You'll generally want a bachelor's degree for this career path. Of current sports trainers, 72% graduated from college with degrees. Some 18% of workers attened college but did not go on to get a bachelor's degree. A high school education was sufficient for 9% of employees.
Job Overview
Sports trainers have a role in the diagnosis, assessment, treatment, management and rehabilitation of injured athletes and non-athletes. Under the supervision of a physician, an athletic trainer provides emergency and follow-up care to athletes and other clients. Sports trainers create athletic injury prevention and treatment programs.
Sports trainers serve as a connection between an injured athlete, the coach and the physician to determine when it's the correct time for the athlete to begin practicing and competing in athletic competitions.
Job Requirements
Almost all athletic trainer jobs require at least a bachelor's degree. According to the National Athletic Trainers Association, almost 70 percent of athletic trainers hold a master's degree or higher. Some positions, particularly at colleges and universities, may require a master's degree or better. In addition, most states require athletic trainers to be registered or licensed.
Nature of Work
- Develop training routines and programs that improve athletic performance
- Provide therapy programs
- Advise people regarding the proper use of equipment in order to reduce the risk of injury
- Keep records about their clients
Area Job Conditions
Finding sports trainers is easiest in Great Falls (Montana), Lawrence (Kansas), and Charlottesville (Virginia), and by comparison more challenging in Minneapolis (Minnesota), Portland (Oregon), and San Francisco (California).
The pay is best in McAllen (Texas), Newark (New Jersey), and Edison (New Jersey) and worst in Tulsa (Oklahoma), Great Falls (Montana), and Charlottesville (Virginia).
Part-Time and Self Employment
Sports trainers working part-time accounted for 8% of those employed in 2008. Self-employed workers represent an estimated 2% of the total.
Career Videos
Sports Trainers by Metropolitan Area (city and its surroundings)
In the table below, a Job Density near 0% means the area has an average number of people in this occupation, for its population. A higher or lower Job Density (e.g., +22% or -45%) tells you there are that many more or fewer workers of that type there than in the average US metro area. So, the higher the number, the more common the occupation.
Alabama
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Birmingham | $36,000 | 40 | -11% |
Arizona
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phoenix | $47,000 | 160 | -1% |
Arkansas
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Little Rock | $45,000 | 30 | -4% |
California
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles | $53,000 | 170 | -54% |
| Riverside | $52,000 | 50 | -55% |
| Sacramento | $45,000 | 30 | -62% |
| San Diego | $55,000 | 90 | -25% |
| San Jose | $57,000 | 80 | -3% |
| Santa Ana | $38,000 | 200 | +50% |
Colorado
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boulder | $42,000 | 30 | +124% |
| Colorado Springs | $66,000 | 30 | +33% |
| Denver | $50,000 | 80 | -30% |
Connecticut
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bridgeport | $62,000 | 210 | +444% |
| Hartford | $43,000 | 60 | +15% |
| New Haven | $48,000 | 60 | +146% |
District of Columbia
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | $52,000 | 110 | -51% |
Florida
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jacksonville | $43,000 | 60 | +10% |
| Miami | $43,000 | 60 | -33% |
| Orlando | $46,000 | 90 | -3% |
| Tallahassee | $45,000 | 30 | +113% |
| Tampa | $42,000 | 80 | -24% |
Georgia
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Atlanta | $44,000 | 280 | +32% |
| Augusta | $36,000 | 30 | +65% |
Hawaii
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Honolulu | $51,000 | 80 | +101% |
Idaho
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boise | $33,000 | 100 | +328% |
Illinois
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bloomington | $47,000 | 50 | +762% |
| Chicago | $45,000 | 450 | +30% |
Indiana
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gary | $52,000 | 40 | +66% |
| Indianapolis | $42,000 | 150 | +83% |
Kentucky
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Louisville | $34,000 | 80 | +45% |
Maryland
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baltimore | $38,000 | 90 | -25% |
Massachusetts
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boston | $51,000 | 300 | +88% |
| Framingham | $31,000 | 50 | +249% |
| Springfield | $47,000 | 40 | +49% |
Michigan
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Detroit | $45,000 | 150 | +145% |
| Grand Rapids | $41,000 | 30 | -12% |
| Warren | $40,000 | 350 | +254% |
Minnesota
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minneapolis | $42,000 | 100 | -39% |
Mississippi
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jackson | $43,000 | 30 | +32% |
Missouri
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kansas City | $40,000 | 90 | -3% |
| Springfield | $39,000 | 50 | +196% |
| St Louis | $40,000 | 230 | +88% |
Montana
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Great Falls | $19,000 | 30 | +957% |
| Missoula | $32,000 | 50 | +1088% |
Nebraska
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Omaha | $38,000 | 70 | +64% |
Nevada
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Las Vegas | $45,000 | 70 | -10% |
New Jersey
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Camden | $48,000 | 70 | +47% |
| Edison | $63,000 | 230 | +144% |
| Newark | $48,000 | 180 | +96% |
| Trenton | $46,000 | 60 | +196% |
New York
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Buffalo | $36,000 | 90 | +79% |
| Nassau | $49,000 | 100 | -14% |
| New York | $42,000 | 490 | +2% |
| Rochester | $36,000 | 70 | +52% |
North Carolina
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Asheville | $36,000 | 30 | +92% |
| Charlotte | $44,000 | 80 | +2% |
| Greensboro | $39,000 | 30 | -7% |
Ohio
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Akron | $46,000 | 60 | +107% |
| Canton | $45,000 | 40 | +173% |
| Cincinnati | $39,000 | 180 | +94% |
| Cleveland | $49,000 | 120 | +28% |
| Columbus | $45,000 | 150 | +78% |
| Dayton | $46,000 | 110 | +218% |
| Toledo | $46,000 | 50 | +89% |
| Youngstown | $43,000 | 40 | +98% |
Oklahoma
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oklahoma City | $42,000 | 70 | +33% |
| Tulsa | $36,000 | 50 | +28% |
Oregon
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portland | $52,000 | 70 | -25% |
Pennsylvania
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Allentown | $45,000 | 50 | +60% |
| Philadelphia | $44,000 | 290 | +65% |
| Pittsburgh | $38,000 | 240 | +128% |
| Scranton | $38,000 | 60 | +156% |
Rhode Island
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Providence | $48,000 | 50 | -2% |
South Carolina
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charleston | $56,000 | 40 | +55% |
| Columbia | $39,000 | 110 | +247% |
| Greenville | $43,000 | 90 | +234% |
Tennessee
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chattanooga | $42,000 | 60 | +195% |
| Knoxville | $41,000 | 50 | +66% |
| Memphis | $40,000 | 30 | -47% |
| Nashville | $40,000 | 170 | +151% |
Texas
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Austin | $53,000 | 210 | +192% |
| Corpus Christi | $49,000 | 30 | +91% |
| Dallas | $49,000 | 320 | +66% |
| El Paso | $50,000 | 40 | +64% |
| Fort Worth | $47,000 | 130 | +64% |
| Houston | $61,000 | 260 | +7% |
| Mcallen | $59,000 | 50 | +144% |
| San Antonio | $42,000 | 140 | +75% |
| Tyler | $43,000 | 70 | +818% |
Utah
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Provo | $60,000 | 30 | +100% |
Vermont
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Burlington | $42,000 | 40 | +317% |
Virginia
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charlottesville | $35,000 | 50 | +587% |
| Richmond | $39,000 | 50 | -11% |
Washington
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seattle | $43,000 | 160 | +24% |
| Spokane | $37,000 | 30 | +65% |
Wisconsin
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Green Bay | $45,000 | 40 | +170% |
| La Crosse | $45,000 | 40 | +573% |
| Madison | $52,000 | 50 | +64% |
| Milwaukee | $49,000 | 120 | +58% |