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Athletic Trainer
Sports & AthleticsYou prevent, diagnose, and treat injuries for athletes who think they're invincible — until they're not. You'll tape ankles, assess concussions, and make the call on whether someone can play or needs to sit out, which makes you the most unpopular person on the sideline when the star player wants back in. You're a healthcare provider who works on a field instead of a clinic.
Salary Range
Low
$38k
Median
$53k
High
$76k
10-Year Growth
much faster
US Workers
32K
Education
Master's in Athletic Training + BOC certification + state license
Environment
both
Tools & Technical Skills
- ▸Injury evaluation and orthopedic assessment
- ▸Therapeutic exercise and rehabilitation protocols
- ▸Taping, bracing, and splinting techniques
- ▸Concussion assessment (SCAT5, ImPACT testing)
- ▸Emergency action plan (EAP) implementation
- ▸BOC certification and state licensure
- ▸Electronic medical records for sports medicine
People & Mindset Skills
- ▸Quick decision-making on the field
- ▸Communication with athletes and coaches
- ▸Empathy and motivation
- ▸Composure during injuries
- ▸Teamwork with medical staff
Learn the skills
Courses and certifications to get you job-ready
Taping, bracing, and splinting techniques
What you'll actually do
- 01Tape ankles, wrists, and knees before practice and games — you go through more tape than a gift wrapper
- 02Evaluate injuries on the field and decide in 30 seconds if an athlete can continue or needs to stop
- 03Design rehabilitation programs for injured athletes who want to be back yesterday
- 04Stand on the sideline in all weather for every game, practice, and event — your schedule is their schedule
- 05Manage the politics of telling a coach their best player needs to sit out
- 06Maintain medical records and coordinate with team physicians on treatment plans
Related Shifts
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