Athletic Trainer
Athletic Trainers (ATCs) are highly qualified healthcare professionals who specialize in preventing, diagnosing, treating, and rehabilitating injuries and medical conditions affecting muscles and bones.
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Getting Started
How to Become a Athletic Trainer
At 6 years to get started, this is faster than the 6.5 years average for Master's Degree-level careers.
Complete Education
Earn your Master's Degree (typically 6 years) at an estimated cost of $135k–$266k.
Get Licensed or Certified
Complete any state-required licensing or certification exams for athletic trainer practice.
Begin Working
Athletic Trainer earn a median salary of $60k/yr, with entry-level positions starting somewhat lower.
Education costs from College Scorecard. Training timelines from BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Pathway quick answers
- How do you become a Athletic Trainer?Complete required education, licensing, and supervised training for Athletic Trainer.
- How long does it take?Typical path to first paid role: 6 years.
- How much does it cost?Estimated education and training cost range: $135k-$266k (living expenses excluded).
Estimates use College Scorecard tuition data plus cited pathway and licensing requirements.
Overview
What Does a Athletic Trainer Do?
Athletic Trainers (ATCs) are highly qualified healthcare professionals who specialize in preventing, diagnosing, treating, and rehabilitating injuries and medical conditions affecting muscles and bones. Working collaboratively with physicians and other healthcare providers, ATCs deliver comprehensive medical services to patients of all ages—from youth athletes to active older adults. Their expertise extends beyond traditional sports settings, as they provide care in educational institutions, hospitals, clinics, performing arts venues, and with professional sports teams.
On the Job
Compensation
How Much Does a Athletic Trainer Make?
At $60k/yr, athletic trainer earn less than the $103k/yr average for Master's Degree-level careers.
$60k/yr
median annual salary
How It Compares
| Career | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Athletic Trainer | $60k/yr |
| EKG/ECG Technician | $63k/yr |
| Ultrasound Technician | $85k/yr |
| Diagnostic Medical Sonographer | $85k/yr |
| Cardiovascular Technician | $63k/yr |
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2024
After investing roughly $201k in education, athletic trainer typically begin earning within 6 years. Based on entry-level salaries of $45k/yr growing toward a $60k/yr median. The average education cost for Master's Degree-level careers is $171k.
Athletic Trainer ROI
Net earnings over 20 years
$643k
Pre-tax 20-year estimate after required education and training costs; taxes and living expenses excluded.
How the 20-year estimate is calculated
Athletic Trainer Career ROI (20-year net earnings)
Track how education costs and earnings typically accumulate from enrollment through year 20.
Cumulative net earnings (USD)
The full chart keeps 20-year context. The detail chart below zooms in on early pathway years.
Sources: BLS, Accreditor, College ScorecardSee Sources and methods.
Early-years detail
Years 0-8
Years 0-8. Scaled to early-year values. Black markers show key checkpoints.
Quick answers
- Is becoming a Athletic Trainer financially worth it?Typical 20-year net estimate: $643k (pre-tax, living expenses excluded).
- How much does training cost for a Athletic Trainer?Estimated required education and licensing cost to become a Athletic Trainer: $201k (range used: $135k-$266k). Breakdown: Bachelor's Degree: $133k; Master's Degree in Athletic Training: $67k; BOC Certification Exam: $400; State Licensure: $200.
- How long does it take to become a Athletic Trainer?Typical time to first paycheck is about 6 years. Typical time to enter the target Athletic Trainer role is about 6 years.
- How do you become a Athletic Trainer?See How to Become for pathway steps, timing, and credential requirements.
Detailed math
How 20-year net is built from each training and career phase.
| Phase | Time window | Gross earnings | Education/training cost | Net contribution | Sources |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Bachelor's Degree Education | Years 0-3 (m0-m47) | $0 | -$133,438 | -$133,438 | |
Master's Degree in Athletic Training Education | Years 4-5 (m48-m71) | $0 | -$66,719 | -$66,719 | |
BOC Certification Exam Training/Licensing | Year 6 (m72-m72) | $0 | -$400 | -$400 | |
State Licensure Training/Licensing | Year 6 (m72-m72) | $0 | -$200 | -$200 | |
Entry-Level Athletic Trainer Career | Years 6-19 (m72-m235) | $823,444 | $0 | $823,444 | |
Model reconciliation Reconciliation | Years 0-20 (m0-m239) | $20,056 | $0 | $20,056 | None |
| 20-year totals | $843,500 | -$200,757 | $642,743 | Matches 20-year ROI formula | |
Sources and methods
Sources
Assumptions
- Pathway sequence and timing follow the cited training and licensing pathway for this role.BLS
- Earnings benchmarks come from cited occupation wage references.BLS
- Education and training cost uses College Scorecard tuition and cited pathway fees when needed.College Scorecard
- Cost allocation follows a model rule: short completed steps post in completion year; longer tuition steps are spread across phase years.Model ruleBLSCollege Scorecard
- Taxes and living expenses are excluded from this estimate.Model rule
Future-Proofing
Athletic Trainer Job Outlook (2024–2034)
Employment Growth
The BLS projects 17.3% growth over the next decade, roughly in line with the 16.5% average for Master's Degree-level careers.
10-Year Growth
17.3%
Much faster than average
Current Employment
36,900
jobs nationwide
AI Impact
High AI Impact
Athletic Trainer roles face significant AI impact — higher AI exposure than most Master's Degree-level careers. AI independently handles one or more major task components in this field. Core responsibilities like state licensing requirements require human presence and judgment that AI cannot replicate.
Why It's Safe
- +Assisting and caring for others
- +Establishing and maintaining interpersonal relationships
- +Performing general physical activities
- +Coaching and developing others
- +Developing and building teams
What Could Be Automated
- −Documenting/recording information
- −Making decisions and solving problems
- −Thinking creatively
- −Getting information
- −Evaluating information to determine compliance with standards
Based on evidence-based AI impact methodology and Bureau of Labor Statistics projections
Explore More
Similar Careers to Compare
EKG/ECG Technician
Ultrasound Technician
Diagnostic Medical Sonographer
Cardiovascular Technician
Radiation Therapist
Learn More
Related Guides
Sources
These references are used to build salary, training-path, and job-outlook estimates shown on this page.
Advanced Methodology
Education cost source id: college_scorecard_2025
Source update dates: BLS OEWS: 2024-05 · BLS Projections: 2024-09 · O*NET: 2024-12