Employment Outlook and Opportunities

Athletic Training Job Outlook

Students who become an Athletic Trainer will be entering one of the fastest growing health professions. Employment of athletic trainers is projected to grow 23% from 2020 to 2030, much faster than the average for all occupations.

Demand for athletic trainers is expected to increase as people become more aware of the effects of sports-related injuries, and as the middle-aged and older population remains active. The effects of concussions are particularly severe and long lasting for child athletes. Although concussions are dangerous at any age, children’s brains are still developing and are at risk for permanent complications. Some states require public secondary schools to employ athletic trainers as part of their sports programs. Because athletic trainers are usually onsite with athletes and are often the first responders when injuries occur, the demand for trainers in schools should continue to increase.

Sophisticated treatments in injury prevention and detection are projected to increase the demand for athletic trainers. Growth in an increasingly active middle-aged and older population will likely lead to an increased incidence of athletic-related injuries, such as sprains. Sports programs at all ages and for all experience levels will continue to create demand for athletic trainers

For more information, please visit https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/athletic-trainers.htm#tab-6

Employment Settings

Athletic trainers can be found anywhere there are active people.  Traditionally athletic trainers are thought to work in professional sports, colleges and high schools, but as the profession grows so do the potential work settings available to certified athletic trainers.  Those settings can include the performing arts, military, physician practice or public safety (police and fire fighters).  The National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA) has taken the time to compile a variety of resources including video interviews to help individuals interested in the profession of athletic training understand what it takes to work in many of these job settings. 

The job settings addressed: