- Athletic trainer requirements at a glance
- How to become an athletic trainer, step by step
- Athletic trainer vs personal trainer
- What an athletic trainer does
- Who athletic trainers work with
- Where athletic trainers work and earn
- Outlook and working life
- Why the master's requirement matters
- Skills you'll need
- My verdict
- Frequently asked questions
To become an athletic trainer, you typically need a master's degree from an accredited athletic training program, which usually requires a bachelor's degree with science and health coursework to get in. Nearly all states then require a license or certification, which typically means graduating from an accredited program and passing a qualifying exam.
Athletic trainers are often the first healthcare provider on the scene when someone gets hurt on the field, and the entry bar has risen to match. Here's what the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) said when I read its handbook on 26 October 2026.
Athletic trainer requirements at a glance
| Requirement | What BLS says |
|---|---|
| Education | Master's degree from an accredited program |
| Getting into the master's | Usually a bachelor's degree with science and health coursework |
| Program content | Classroom and clinical work, including injury prevention, therapeutic modalities and nutrition |
| Licence | Licence or certification in nearly all states; rules vary |
| Certification | Accredited program plus a qualifying exam; continuing education to maintain it |
| Median pay as of October 2026 | $62,520 a year (May 2025) |
How to become an athletic trainer, step by step
- Take the right high school classes. BLS suggests anatomy, physiology and physics.
- Earn a bachelor's degree with science and health coursework. That's what master's programs generally want for admission.
- Complete an accredited master's program. Expect classroom study plus clinical experience in injury prevention, therapeutic modalities and nutrition.
- Pass the qualifying exam. Certification typically requires graduating from an accredited program and passing the exam.
- Get your state licence or certification. Contact your state's licensing board, because requirements vary.
- Keep learning. Continuing education is required to maintain certification.
Athletic trainer vs personal trainer
This is the mix-up that sends people down the wrong path. An athletic trainer is a licensed healthcare role that works under the direction of a licensed physician, recognising and evaluating injuries, giving first aid and running rehabilitation programs. Personal training is a separate fitness career with its own, shorter route. If coaching fitness is what you want, my guide on how to become a personal trainer is the quicker route.
What an athletic trainer does
According to BLS, athletic trainers:
- apply protective or injury-preventive devices such as tape, bandages and braces
- recognise and evaluate injuries
- provide first aid or emergency care
- develop and carry out rehabilitation programs for injured athletes
- plan programs to prevent injury and illness
- keep records and write reports on injuries and treatment
They work with people of all ages and skill levels, from young children to soldiers and professional athletes, and may also work with the military, law enforcement, professional sports teams or performing artists.
Who athletic trainers work with
BLS says athletic trainers work under the direction of a licensed physician and alongside other healthcare providers, often discussing specific injuries and treatment options. Some meet a team physician or consulting physician regularly. There's an office side too: administrative duties can include regular meetings with an athletic director or another administrator about budgets, purchasing and policy. So if you picture yourself only on the sidelines, expect a fair amount of paperwork and planning as well.
Where athletic trainers work and earn
BLS put the median annual wage at $62,520 in May 2025, as of October 2026. The lowest 10% earned less than $48,180 and the highest 10% more than $88,760. Schools employ the most trainers, but the entertainment and recreation side pays the most:
| Employer (US, May 2025) | Share of jobs (%) | Median annual wage |
|---|---|---|
| Educational services; state, local, and private | 40 | $64,340 |
| Hospitals; state, local, and private | 16 | $62,690 |
| Offices of physical, occupational and speech therapists, and audiologists | 14 | $61,060 |
| Offices of physicians | 11 | $61,820 |
| Arts, entertainment, and recreation | 7 | $71,810 |
The arts, entertainment and recreation row is the smallest of the five but pays the most. Most trainers work in educational services, and that's where most of the openings will be.
Outlook and working life
BLS projects employment of athletic trainers to grow 13% from 2025 to 2035, much faster than average, with about 2,400 openings a year. It's still a small field, with about 35,200 jobs in 2025. Most athletic trainers work full time, and those who work with teams during sporting events may work evenings or weekends and travel often. You may also spend time outdoors on sports fields in all weather.
If you're weighing clinical careers, my guide on how to become a physical therapist compares a longer route with a higher ceiling.
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Why the master's requirement matters
BLS lists a master's degree as the typical entry-level education, which puts athletic training alongside other clinical professions rather than fitness jobs. Plan for that from the start: choose a bachelor's with the science and health coursework master's programs ask for, and look for an accredited master's program, because accreditation is what lets you sit the qualifying exam. Skipping that check is the most expensive mistake you can make on this route.
Skills you'll need
- Compassion: patients may be in considerable pain or discomfort
- Decision-making: your clinical calls can affect someone's health or livelihood
- Detail orientation: recording progress and making sure treatments are right
- Interpersonal skills: handling difficult moments with physicians, patients, athletes and coaches
My verdict
Athletic training is a strong fit if you love sport and want a real healthcare role, not just a fitness job. The trade-off is time: a bachelor's, then a master's, then a licence. Growth is fast and the work is varied, but pay is moderate for the education required, so go in for the work itself, and look at entertainment and recreation or education employers if pay matters.
Frequently asked questions
What degree do you need to be an athletic trainer?
BLS says athletic trainers typically need a master's degree from an accredited program to enter the occupation.
Do athletic trainers need a license?
Nearly all states require athletic trainers to be licensed or certified, and requirements vary by state.
How much do athletic trainers make?
As of October 2026, BLS gives a median annual wage of $62,520 (May 2025 data).
How long does it take to become an athletic trainer?
You'll need a bachelor's degree to get into an accredited master's program, then the master's itself, then a qualifying exam and state licence or certification.
Where do most athletic trainers work?
BLS says educational services employ 40% of athletic trainers, followed by hospitals and therapy offices.
Is athletic training a growing career?
Yes. BLS projects 13% growth from 2025 to 2035, much faster than average, with about 2,400 openings a year.
