Career Advice on How to Become An Athletic Trainer |
General Career Information |
| An athletic trainer should not be confused with an “athletic supporter,” which is an article of clothing. The two are often confused, but they are dramatically different things. An athletic trainer helps treat and prevent sports related injuries. It is common for the athletic trainer to be the first person to see an athlete after they have been injured. They are trained to provide basic medical care, so that the injured player can be taken out of a game or competition safely or taken to a medical facility or hospital. Athletic trainers often are depended upon to make the decision as to whether or not an athlete should be taken to a hospital or simply removed from a game or competition. |
Career Facts: |
It is common for athletic trainers to work closely with medical professionals. On occasion, athletic trainers will work with a team physician or another supervising physician. Importantly, it should be noted that athletic trainers are not personal trainers. These are two different jobs. “Trainers” often have little or no formal training or knowledge and will often even be out of shape and overweight. |
Career Opportunities and Job Outlook- Excellent: |
| The job outlook for athletic trainers is expected to be excellent between now and 2018, with an expected job growth of thirty-seven percent. This fast job growth is due in part to new jobs opening up for athletic trainers in hospitals and recreation sports centers. |
 |
A Day in The Life: |
| One very important fact to realize if you are considering career planning for this profession is that you may have to contend with very long days. It is common for high school athletic trainers to work up to seventy hours per week. Trainers in other lines of work can experience similarly high work hours as well. This means that you obviously must love the idea of this career a great deal. Athletic trainers spend much of their time working with athletes to treat, rehabilitate and prevent injuries, ranging from the mundane to the serious. For more serious injuries, it is common for athletic trainers to work with physicians. |
Average Salary: |
| The average athletic trainer earns about $40,000 per year, with the top ten percent of athletic trainers earning about $60,000 per year. However, it should be noted that the bottom ten percent of athletic trainers earn only $23,000 per year. $23,000 per year for a job that might require seventy-hours of work per week is one you most certainly better love. |
$40k |
Career Training and Qualifications: |
| Some educational requirements are necessary before beginning your job search. Most athletic trainers have a bachelor’s degree in the field, and many positions require a master’s degree as well. Additionally, athletic trainers are normally required to pass board examinations and be licensed. |
