Beauty, Fitness & Personal Care career

Athletic Trainer

Also called: Certified Athletic Trainer · ATC · Sports Medicine Athletic Trainer · Clinical Athletic Trainer

What athletic trainers do, what they earn, how long training takes and how to get started, with official BLS pay data and practical, job-level detail.

Updated By the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team
What does an athletic trainer do?

Athletic trainers specialize in preventing, diagnosing and treating muscle and bone injuries and illnesses, working with athletes, workers and patients under physician direction. The median pay is $62,520 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about Bachelor’s plus 2-year master’s, and employment is projected to grow +12.7% from 2025–35.

Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026

  • Median pay
    $62,520
    Annual salary · May 2025
  • Job growth
    +12.7%
    2025–35, much faster than average
  • Openings per year
    2,400
    Average, 2025–35
  • Typical entry education
    Master's degree
    BLS classification
  • Time to train
    Bachelor’s plus 2-year master’s
    Typical program length
  • U.S. jobs
    35,200
    Employment, 2025

What athletic trainers do

Athletic trainers keep athletes and active people healthy. They tape and brace, evaluate injuries on the field, provide emergency care, design rehab programs, manage concussions and work with physicians. They work in high schools, colleges, pro sports, clinics, the military and industrial settings.

Athletic trainers now need a master’s degree from a CAATE-accredited program, must pass the BOC exam and meet state licensing rules. The field is growing faster than average.

Typical duties

  • Prevent injuries with taping, bracing and conditioning
  • Evaluate injuries on the field and in the clinic
  • Provide emergency care
  • Design and supervise rehabilitation
  • Manage concussion protocols
  • Work with physicians and coaches
  • Document injuries and treatments

Work environment and schedule

Athletic trainers work in training rooms, on fields and courts, in clinics and at industrial sites, in all weather.

Schedule: Hours can be long and irregular, including evenings, weekends and travel with teams.

A day in the life

  1. Tape ankles before football practice.
  2. Evaluate a sprained wrist in the training room.
  3. Cover practice and watch for heat illness.
  4. Respond to a possible concussion and run an assessment.

See a full day in the life of an athletic trainer →

Athletic Trainer salary

Half of athletic trainers earned more than $62,520 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $48,180 for the lowest 10% to $88,760 for the top 10%.

Full athletic trainer pay scale and hourly rates →

How to become an athletic trainer

  1. Earn a bachelor’s degree
  2. Complete a CAATE-accredited master’s
  3. Pass the BOC exam
  4. Get licensed
  5. Advance

Athletic trainers need a master’s degree from a program accredited by CAATE, must pass the Board of Certification (BOC) exam and meet state requirements.

Step-by-step guide to becoming an athletic trainer →

Skills and tools

Technical skills

  • Injury evaluation
  • Emergency care
  • Taping and bracing
  • Rehabilitation
  • Concussion management

People skills

  • Calm under pressure
  • Communication
  • Teamwork
  • Empathy

All athletic trainer skills and tools →

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Exciting sports environment
  • Growing field
  • Meaningful health work
  • Variety of settings

Cons

  • Requires a master’s degree
  • Long, irregular hours
  • Travel with teams
  • Pay can be modest for the education

Certifications and licenses

  • BOC Certified Athletic Trainer (ATC): National certification for athletic trainers.
  • State athletic trainer license: Required in nearly all states.
  • Emergency cardiac care certification: Such as BLS for healthcare providers.
  • Performance enhancement certifications: Such as NSCA-CSCS.

Career path

  1. Graduate Athletic Trainer: Gain clinical experience.
  2. Athletic Trainer: Care for athletes.
  3. Head Athletic Trainer: Lead sports medicine programs.
  4. Director of Sports Medicine: Lead departments.

Learn the job before day one

Our Athletic Trainer training (12 hours, $109.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as tape an ankle and respond to a possible concussion, safety and how to land your first job.

View Athletic Trainer trainingIs this career right for me?

Exercise Physiologist

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  • $47,160
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Compare: Athletic Trainer vs. PT Assistant · Athletic Trainer vs. Exercise Physiologist · Athletic Trainer vs. Personal Trainer · Athletic Trainer vs. EMT

Athletic Trainer FAQ

Do athletic trainers need a master’s degree?

Yes, from a CAATE-accredited program.

Are athletic trainers the same as personal trainers?

No. Athletic trainers are licensed healthcare professionals.

Where do athletic trainers work?

Schools, colleges, pro teams, clinics, the military and industry.

How much does an athletic trainer make?

The median annual wage for athletic trainers was $62,520 in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $48,180 and the highest 10% earned more than $88,760.

How long does it take to become an athletic trainer?

Most people need about Bachelor’s plus 2-year master’s of training. Athletic trainers need a master’s degree from a program accredited by CAATE, must pass the Board of Certification (BOC) exam and meet state requirements.

Do you need a degree to be an athletic trainer?

Yes. Athletic trainers now need a master’s degree from a CAATE-accredited program and must pass the BOC exam.

More athletic trainer questions →

Sources

Reviewed by the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team. Pay figures are national estimates; local pay varies. See our editorial policy.

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