Athletic trainers provide health care services to athletes and other physically active individuals. To help athletes prevent injuries, certified athletic trainers develop conditioning and nutrition programs. When injuries occur, athletic trainers conduct the initial evaluation and supervise treatment and rehabilitation under the direction of a physician.
Athletic trainers may be employed by middle schools or high schools, colleges, universities, professional athletic teams, sports medicine clinics, hospitals, health clubs, or corporate health programs.
$50,000
Employment of athletic trainers and exercise physiologists is projected to grow 15 percent from 2020 to 2030, faster than the average for all occupations, according to the BLS. As people become more aware of sports-related injuries at a young age, demand for athletic trainers is expected to increase, most significantly in colleges, universities, and youth leagues.
A bachelor’s degree is required. Many athletic trainers earn advanced degrees. The National Athletic Trainers Association Board of Certification (NATABOC) must certify athletic trainers after they have graduated from an approved universities and successfully completed a certification exam.
A license is required in the state of Connecticut. Prerequisite: Connecticut requires a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution, hold and maintain certification from the Board of Certification for the Athletic Trainer.
Please visit the State of Connecticut Department of Public Health website for more information.
National Athletic Trainers’ Association
1620 Valwood Parkway, Suite 115
Carrollton, TX 75006
(214) 637-6282
www.nata.org