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Pro Wrestler

Entertainment & Seasonal

You perform choreographed athletic combat in front of live audiences while telling a story with your body. It's not fake — the falls are real, the injuries are real, and the 300 nights a year on the road are very real. You'll develop a character, cut promos, and take bumps that destroy your body over time. The crowd's roar is addictive. Your joints at 40 will not thank you.

Salary Range

Low

$15k

Median

$40k

High

$200k

10-Year Growth

average

US Workers

3K

Education

Wrestling school (6-12 months) + years working indie circuits

Environment

indoor

Tools & Technical Skills

  • In-ring wrestling techniques and bumping
  • Promo cutting and mic work
  • Strength and conditioning training
  • Match psychology and storytelling
  • High-flying and mat-based wrestling styles
  • Injury prevention and athletic taping

People & Mindset Skills

  • Physical toughness and pain tolerance
  • Showmanship and character development
  • Trust and communication with opponents
  • Self-promotion and social media presence
  • Dedication to travel schedule

Learn the skills

Courses and certifications to get you job-ready

What you'll actually do

  • 01Choreograph matches with opponents and execute them without actually injuring each other — usually
  • 02Take bumps on a mat that's basically plywood with a thin pad, and pretend it doesn't hurt
  • 03Cut promos — scripted or improvised monologues that get the crowd either cheering or booing
  • 04Drive 4 hours to the next town, wrestle, drive 4 hours back, and do it again tomorrow
  • 05Maintain a physique that fits your character while your body is held together by tape and ibuprofen
  • 06Stay in character on social media because kayfabe isn't dead — it just moved to Instagram