What exactly is an athletic trainer? What, in particular, does an athletic trainer do?

Well, certified athletic trainers are experts in preventing, diagnosing, and treating sports-related injuries. Athletic training professionals perform a variety of tasks: They provide valuable first aid expertise and evaluate new injuries, work with physicians to rehabilitate injured athletes, and develop and implement comprehensive training programs to prevent new athletes from incurring injuries.

The future of athletic training is certainly one without boundaries, and Neumann University is in the position to educate students to succeed in this evolving profession. But first, let's take a look at some of the employment trends and career opportunities that athletic trainers face.

Employment Trends in Athletic Training:

Athletic training is a field that is expanding rapidly. Due largely to an aging population as well as to a growing awareness of the seriousness of sports-related injuries, the industry is expected to grow an astounding 23 percent by 2026.

Though the job outlook for athletic training professionals is good across the board, career prospects are strongest for those who attend a program that is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education or for those who are certified by the National Board of Certification. These important credentials ensure that athletic trainers have a strong grasp of each of the major practice domains, which include immediate and emergency care, therapeutic intervention, and examination, assessment, and diagnosis.

Salary Expectations in Athletic Training:

A career as an athletic training professional can be lucrative as well as dynamic. In fact, professionals with a master's in athletic training can earn a salary upwards of $82,000 per year, depending on the region. If you’re a local, you may be surprised to learn that Pennsylvania employs more athletic trainers than almost any other state in the U.S.!  

The salary that you can expect to earn as a certified athletic trainer may vary by state. In Pennsylvania, skilled professionals can earn upwards of $60,000 annually. Job prospects in other major cities are attractive as well: In New York, athletic trainers can earn over $70,000 per year, whereas top earners in Washington D.C. have the potential to earn over 100k annually.

Career settings in athletic training:

Certified athletic trainers work everywhere from hospital emergency departments and sports medicine clinics to secondary schools, industrial settings, and professional sports teams. Athletic trainers have also been becoming increasingly valuable in the U.S. military, where they play a valuable role in ensuring the health and safety of active duty soldiers. Public safety is another setting where athletic training professionals can be of use. Here, they work with firefighters and police officers in preventing injuries in these often strenuous professions.

A wide range of opportunities in location ensures that you’ll be able to work in an environment where you’ll feel most comfortable, be able to utilize your talents, and thrive.

Does athletic training sound like the career for you?

If you want to make a future for yourself that includes helping and rehabilitating others in an athletic setting, a career in athletic training may be perfect for you! With many varied career paths, high pay, and unique work environments, you should consider how Neumann University's advanced Athletic Training program can help you to achieve your professional dreams. 

Check out our digital guide — A Comprehensive Guide to Pursuing an MS in Athletic Training!