Sports Trainers

The U.S. Department of Labor predicts that employment for athletic trainers will grow by 19 percent, much faster than the average for all careers, throughout 2028. The coronavirus pandemic has curtailed job growth for athletic trainers in 2020 into 2021, due to the cancellations and postponements of many sports. As trainings and games resume, employment growth is projected to pick up. In general, the increasing number of amateur and school sports teams accounts for some of the growth in the profession, as does the public's increasing interest in health and fitness. Increased awareness of sports-related injuries, particularly concussions, has also increased the demand for athletic trainers. Strong growth is also expected to continue in the health care industry, according to the DOL, as "advances in injury prevention and detection and more sophisticated treatments are projected to increase the demand for athletic trainers." Opportunities should also be good with the military, which is hiring civilian sports trainers to help personnel reduce the risk of injury during exercise and to help rehabilitate those who have been injured.

Competition for the more glamorous jobs is tough; positions with professional athletes and teams are extremely difficult to find and those working in them usually have years and years of experience. More opportunities exist for certified athletic trainers who work with high school athletes, especially if trainers have other skills that make them more employable. For example, the athletic trainer wishing to work with high school athletes who also can teach biology, math, physical education, or other school subjects most likely will find a position sooner than the candidate with only a background in athletic training. The reasoning is simple: With school budgets being cut back, those individuals who perform double-duty will be more attractive to school boards looking to cut costs.

Positions at the college and university level offer the athletic trainer greater stability, with little turnover. Competition for these spots is also tough, however, and many schools are now requiring candidates to have a master's degree in order to be considered.