CAREER OPPORTUNITIES FOR
ATHLETIC TRAINING MAJORS
SKILLS & ABILITIES OF THE ATHLETIC TRAINING MAJOR
Human Awareness  Ac ve Listening
 Social Percep veness– awareness of others’ reac‐
ons and understanding the causes of these reac‐
ons
 Assessing/Monitoring athletes’ performance
 Problem Sensi vity
 Service Orienta on– looking for way to assist oth‐
er people (athletes)
 Coordina on– adjus ng ac ons in rela ons to
others’ ac ons
Technical Skills  Sound understanding of human anatomy and
physiology
 Updated knowledge of rehabilita on techniques
to enhance athletes’ recovery
 Implements appropriate injury preven on meth‐
ods
 Finger Dexterity– able to precisely coordinate fin‐
ger movements to complete tasks
Communica on  Effec vely communica ng verbal messages to
Problem Solving others (physicians, coaches, guardians, etc.)
 Conduct ini al assessments of athle c injuries and  Wri ng– communica ng effec vely in wri ng
refer to physicians for defini ve treatment
based on the needs of the audience
 Apply protec ve devices to current or previous
 Instruc ng / Teaching exercises and procedures
areas of athletes’ injuries.
 Customer and Personal Services
 Work under pressure when unexpected events
 Documen ng Informa on (Forms / Reports)
(injuries) occur
*Par ally taken from O*NET OnLine
POTENTIAL CAREERS
Athle c Training Occupa ons  Athle c Trainer
 Cer fied Athle c Trainer
 Assistant Athle c Trainer
 Athle c Instructor
 Clinical Educa on Coordinator
 Clinical Instructor
 Physician Extender
 Resident Athle c Trainer
 Sports Medicine Coordinator
*Par ally taken from O*NET OnLIne
Related Occupa ons (Transferrable Skills)  Physical Therapist
 Physical Therapist Assistant
 Recrea onal Therapist
 Respiratory Therapist
 Licensed Prac cal Nurse
 Registered Nurse
 Ortho st
 Prosthe st
 Veterinary Assistant
 Laboratory Animal Caretaker
 Sports Coach
*Provided by the Occupa onal Outlook Handbook
TYPES OF EMPLOYERS
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Hospitals
Hospital Emergency Rooms
Urgency Care Centers
Military Hospitals
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Physical Therapy Clinics
Secondary Schools
Colleges & Universi es
Youth Sports Leagues
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Commercial Se ngs
Professional Sports Teams
*Provided by the Na onal Athle c
Trainer’s Associa on (NATA)
ATHLETIC TRAINING RELATED TASKS
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Cooperate with a coaching staff to design and monitor a team condi oning program
Supervision of safety factors involving a playing area (surface)
Selec on of proper equipment in coopera on with coaching staff / team manager
Administra on of first aid to injured athletes
Applica on of devices such as bandages and braces to prevent injury
Development / Supervision of rehabilita on programs for injured athletes to prevent recurring injury and
monitor the improvement of muscle strength
 Maintain the athle c training area and ordering necessary supplies
 Develop good working rela onships with players, coaches, physicians, and school administrators.
* Taken from Opportuni es in Sports and Fitness Careers (Heinzman, 2003)
EARNINGS FOR ATHLETIC TRAINERS
Median annual wages of athle c trainers were $41,600 in May 2010. The middle 50 percent earned between
$33,800 and $51,280. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $25,750, and the highest 10 percent earned
more than $64,390. Median annual wages in the industries employing the largest numbers of athle c train‐
ers in May 2010 were:
 Colleges, universi es, and professional schools ‐ $44,730
 General medical and surgical hospitals ‐ $43,320
 Offices of other health prac oners ‐ $40,060
 Other amusement and recrea on industries ‐ $43,160
 Elementary and secondary schools ‐ $52,840
*Provided by the Bureau of Labor Sta s cs (2010‐11)
ADDITIONAL ATHLETIC TRAINING RESOURCES
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Na onal Athle c Trainers’ Associa on (NATA) www.nata.org
College Athle c Trainers’ Society (CATS) www.collegeathle ctrainer.org
Ohio Athle c Trainers’ Associa on www.oata.org
Board of Cer fica on for the Athle c Trainer www.bocatc.org
RELATED BOOKS IN THE CAREER RESOURCE LIBRARY (CLC 530)
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Opportuni es in Sports and Fitness Careers
Career Opportuni es in the Sports Industry
Careers for Sports Nuts & Other Athle c Types
Occupa onal Outlook Handbook
Cool Careers: Athle c Training
The Internship Series: The Sports Internship Book