Career Paths and Ladders

Athletic trainers on the football field working on a player.

Discover Athletic Training Career Paths

From working in a baseball organization to treating ballet dancers or a battalion, the profession offers unique opportunities to practice in a diverse array of dynamic settings.

For those interested in maximizing clinical career options, combining degrees in athletic training and another health profession considerably amplifies their marketability. Furthermore, many renowned scholars and leaders in higher education and national institutes/centers have an athletic training background. Athletic trainers with business acumen are also prominent in medical sales and related sectors.

Job Market

The US Bureau of Labor Statistics projects related workforce demands to grow 23% faster than average between 2020 and 2030.

Employment Opportunities

Graduates enjoy outstanding placement in colleges/universities, secondary schools, hospitals/clinics, professional sports, performing arts, industry, and the military.

Post-Professional Education

Graduates are also successfully poised to continue their formal learning towards a terminal degree. This may represent a clinical/professional or academic doctorate, which elevates a candidate’s ability to serve as a steward and scholar of the craft. Potential programs may consist of, but are not limited to, a Doctor of Athletic Training (DAT), Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) or Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree. Clinical/Professional doctorates enable candidates to become advanced practitioners while academic doctorates focus on preparing candidates for a career in research.

Projected Salary

Per the National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA) 2021 Salary Survey, prepared by McKinley Advisors, the current nationwide average earning is $61,998. For athletic trainers with a master’s degree, the national average is $60,512. When focusing on District 2, which includes Pennsylvania, the average is $66,080. In each instance, this is higher than the 2020 median annual wage of $56,310 for all occupations.

Athletic trainers with a terminal degree report a national average salary of $85,562.