Athletic Trainer Jobs in the United States

Athletic Trainer Jobs Overview

Get ready to step into the playing field of sports healthcare. In athletic trainer jobs, you’ll be a key player in athletes’ well-being, focusing on injury prevention and treatment.

Your role will encompass the following tasks:

• conducting assessments
• recognizing and evaluating injuries
• creating customized exercise regimens
• delivering immediate care when needed
• record-keeping for athlete injuries and treatments
• collaborating with coaches and medical experts for a comprehensive approach

As far as schedule goes, expect a mix of regular shifts and the occasional sprint ahead of and during sports events, especially during peak season. Your workplace could range from educational institutions (elementary to college level) to medical facilities, fitness centers, or with professional sports teams.

Is a role as an athletic trainer a stable career? We have reason to believe so. Over the next few years, the demand for athletic trainers will grow at a robust 14% with around 2,700 openings to choose from each year.

Salaries for Athletic Trainer Jobs

The salary for an athletic trainer ranges from $36,046 to $55,696 per year on average. Yet, to understand how much you can make in this profession, consider the organization you work for, your experience in the role, and your location.

For instance, athletic trainer jobs pay the most in these fields:

• spectator sports: $81,490 per year
• promoters of performing arts, sports, and similar events: $75,960 per year
• civic and social organizations: $75,870 per year
• elementary and secondary schools: $67,920 per year
• junior colleges: $63,230 per year

Athletic trainers also earn the highest annual wages in these areas:

• District of Columbia: $77,100
• Illinois: $70,260
• New Jersey: $69,300
• Massachusetts: $68,790
• California: $66,340

Find out how much you could make as an athletic trainer in your location with Monster’s Salary Tool. You’ll also learn about salaries for similar opportunities and skills to gain to advance in your field.

How to Find the Best Athletic Trainer Jobs

Not sure where to start to find athletic trainer jobs that fulfill you? Check out our tips below to track down the best opportunities.

Identify What Works for You

First, understand your ideal work environment. Do you see yourself in structured environments like schools or college campuses? Or do you prefer a more dynamic atmosphere like those found in fitness and recreation centers?

Then, consider your strengths and interests. Do you have a natural talent for mentoring student-athletes, or do you thrive in a fast-paced gym setting? Your preferences should guide your decision-making when it comes to where you apply.

Filter Job Openings Like This

When scanning job openings, focus on the essentials. Pay attention to the task descriptions, qualifications, and any special certification required. Don’t get discouraged by long lists of requirements, if you have the core skills you can apply.

Research Companies

Always investigate potential employers before applying to their vacancies. Dive into their culture, values, and mission and if you identify with what they stand for, you’ll probably be a good fit. Also, read past employee reviews to understand what kind of work-life balance you can also expect.

How to Apply to Athletic Trainer Jobs

Unsure how to craft a resume and cover letter that will help you win recruiters’ hearts? Here’s how:

Update Your Resume for Athletic Trainer Jobs

Your athletic trainer resume should start with a compelling professional summary that presents your passion and expertise in sports medicine.

Next, incorporate resume keywords from the specific job opening you’re targeting. Common ones for this field include:

• injury prevention
• rehabilitative protocols
• sports conditioning
• team collaboration
• athlete assessment

Metrics are your best friends, so include them whenever possible. They show the impact of your work better than simply listing your past responsibilities. Here are some examples of KPIs you can use as an athletic trainer:

• average athlete recovery time
• injury recurrence rates
• performance enhancement
• athlete satisfaction level
• injury prevention strategy outcomes

Have a look at our personal trainer resume example, a similar role to the athletic trainer, for more tips.

Need more support? Let Monster’s Resume Writing Services help you out. One of our expert writers familiar with sports medicine will craft a resume that highlights your expertise and targets your ideal roles.

Cover Letter Tips for Athletic Trainer Jobs

Write a cover letter for an athletic trainer role that will make recruiters want to get to know you. Follow this easy step-by-step guide:

1. Stand out from the start. Start with a compelling introduction that emphasizes your interest in sports medicine and the specific athletic trainer position.
2. Spotlight your experience. Highlight your key accomplishments, connecting them to the organization’s needs. Focus on expertise in rehabilitation, injury prevention and any other areas mentioned in the job posting. Leave out anything less relevant.
3. Align with their mission. Demonstrate familiarity with the organization’s mission, underlining how your skills can help them achieve their goals.
4. Show genuine enthusiasm. Express excitement about contributing to the team’s success and highlight your dedication to elevating wellness among athletes.
5. Close with confidence. Wrap it up with a compelling summary, leaving a lasting impression of your commitment to improving team performance.

When ready, upload your resume and cover letter to your Monster profile. Track your applications easily, plus, activate customized alerts to receive all the latest job listings matching your criteria.

How to Follow Up with an Employer

After applying for an athletic trainer position, following up can increase your chances of landing an interview. But first, wait around a week to allow the hiring team to review candidates.

Send a concise and friendly email to follow up with the hiring manager. Research their contact details on the job listing, the company website, or by calling. Address them by name to develop rapport from the beginning. Then:

• Express your continued interest in the role and highlight a specific aspect that interests you.
• Touch on any relevant qualifications or experiences you have and emphasize how they meet the job requirements but keep it brief – there’s no need to write another cover letter.
• Close with a polite request for an update on the hiring process.

Interviewing Tips for Athletic Trainer Jobs

To become an athletic trainer, you’ll need to pass one or more job interviews. So, let’s get you ready to ace them. First, become familiar with the different formats of job interviews you might encounter.

Before the big day, refresh your knowledge of the organization’s mission. Knowing their playbook helps you tailor responses that align with their goals.

Then, prepare answers for common questions. Start with classic interview questions, including:

• Tell me about yourself.
• What are your strengths and weaknesses?
• Why do you want this job?
• Where do you see yourself in five years?

Finally, train for athletic trainer-specific and behavioral questions, such as:

• What’s your approach to injury prevention?
• How do you handle working with different athletes?
• Describe a challenging situation with an athlete and how you resolved it.
• Tell us about a situation where you had to collaborate with other healthcare professionals to ensure comprehensive athlete care.

Leverage the STAR method and learn to build answers that showcase your adaptability, quick decision-making, and ability to collaborate.

What to Do When You Get an Offer

High five for scoring that athletic trainer job you wanted! The game is not over yet though. Let’s talk about your strategy for what comes next.

Timing is key. Once that golden ticket lands in your inbox, don’t keep them hanging. Aim to respond promptly and express gratitude for the opportunity. Then, politely ask for a couple of days to evaluate the offer.

Use this time to review every part of the offer. Check the salary, benefits, and work hours. Do they align with your needs and career goals?

If yes, fantastic! If not, try to turn the game around by negotiating the terms of the offer. Keep the tone positive throughout - be confident, but respectful. Provide clear reasons as to why you’d provide added value to their team and deserve to be compensated as such.

And remember, salary is not the only part of the offer you can negotiate. If the organization can’t meet your desired wage, you can always try to settle on more PTO or flexibility.

Athletic Trainer Career Paths

Wondering what kind of career progression you can hope for after holding a few athletic trainer jobs? There are quite a few, especially if you’re open to keep growing and upskilling. Here are some of the most common choices:

• Head athletic trainer: As a head trainer, you’ll manage a team of trainers. You'll organize injury prevention initiatives and oversee treatment plans for athletes. Thriving in this position calls for robust leadership, excellent communication, and organizational skills. You must also have a strong grasp of sports medicine.
• Athletic director in a college or university: Assume the role of an athletic director and you'll steer the entire sports program of an organization. You'll deal with financial management, game scheduling, and ensuring compliance with regulations. You’ll be the best in the game if you have strategic thinking, leadership, and administrative expertise.
• Clinical practice administrator: In a clinical practice role, you’ll be the head of day-to-day operations in a sports medicine clinic. Typical tasks include overseeing staff, managing finances, and ensuring high-quality patient care. To secure this role, start working on your organizational skills, business financial knowledge, and ability to lead a team.
• Physical therapist: Willing to go back to study to advance to a more specialized role? Become a physical therapist. You’ll deliver rehabilitative care to individuals on the path to recovery from injuries or surgeries. You’ll focus on enhancing their mobility and easing their pain. To practice, you’ll need to work on your anatomy knowledge, diagnostic abilities, and compassionate approach.

Similar Occupations

Open to similar roles? Take a look at these alternative careers:

• occupational therapist jobs
• rehabilitation counselor
• sports medicine physician
• coach jobs