Athletic Trainer Salary

Like winning and losing, even injuries, rehabs and treatments are a part and parcel of sports. Athletic trainers are recognized as health professionals, who play a very important role in the field of sports, athletics and field events of all levels. These are highly professional trainers; they are usually the first healthcare providers that interact with the injured athletes and provide first aid. The trainers help in assessing, preventing and deciding the further course of treatment. An injury can threaten an entire career of a sports person, so first aid, timely diagnosis and treatment of the injury is necessary. People interested in this profession would be mostly concerned about the athletic trainer salary. But before that, understanding his role and job description is essential and helpful.

Job Description

The main job is to help the athletes in preventing injuries by encouraging proper training and proper use of equipment and application of protective devices. These professionals also work and discuss with the physicians to determine the extent of injury, the treatment and the recovery time. They extensively use tape or bandages and braces for injury prevention. These trainers need to go along with the team or athletes to the place where the competitions have been organized. They also discuss the designed rehabilitation programs and injury-preventive practices, with the coaches and management. They need to teach the athletes many training exercises to make their muscles strong, enough to deal with the constant fatigue and stress experienced during and after the game. Sometimes he also gives diet related tips to the athletes to improve their energy levels and stamina.

A trainer should at least have of a Bachelor's Degree. However, pursuing a Master's or Doctoral Degree in Athletic Training will be useful in the long run and can also affect the average salary. Many states also demand a license or some form of registration too. So having National Athletic Trainers Association (NATA) and CPR certifications or any relevant certification, will be a criterion to help you achieve great heights.

Approximate Salary

In 2008, these trainers held about 16,300 jobs in the United States. Majority of them were found to work in private, public educational institutes and the healthcare sector. According to a recent data, the projected growth in employment is about 37 percent from 2008 to 2018. The average athletic salary range is influenced by various factors like his education, training, location, experience, etc. The salary range is estimated to be from USD 30,000 per year to USD 60,000 per year. A trainer who is just starting out may earn about USD 30,000 per year, whereas an experienced trainer with a masters or doctorate may get a salary of USD 60,000 per year. However, about fifty percent of all the athletic trainers are believed to earn in between USD 32,000 to USD 48,000 per year. According to the sources from the job market, the average salary for the head trainer is around USD 51,900 per year. But as I said, it is subject to change according to your credentials and experience. So the bottom line for all wannabe trainers is that you can earn a decent salary in the beginning and as you grow in experience, you can expect higher income.

As the people all over the world are getting increasingly fitness conscious, the demand for athletic trainers is bound to increase. Some states are even planning to have athletic trainers for all schools. The salary can be a deciding factor for you to choose this career. But one must remember, like any other profession, immense hard work and determination is needed to reach great heights in this field.