Post job

Physical trainer vs sports athletic trainer

The differences between physical trainers and sports athletic trainers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 6-12 months to become a physical trainer, becoming a sports athletic trainer takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a sports athletic trainer has an average salary of $48,071, which is higher than the $25,278 average annual salary of a physical trainer.

The top three skills for a physical trainer include physical therapy, strength training and soccer. The most important skills for a sports athletic trainer are rehabilitation, patient care, and CPR.

Physical trainer vs sports athletic trainer overview

Physical TrainerSports Athletic Trainer
Yearly salary$25,278$48,071
Hourly rate$12.15$23.11
Growth rate19%17%
Number of jobs72,86557,256
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 61%Bachelor's Degree, 78%
Average age3740
Years of experience124

Physical trainer vs sports athletic trainer salary

Physical trainers and sports athletic trainers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Physical TrainerSports Athletic Trainer
Average salary$25,278$48,071
Salary rangeBetween $17,000 And $35,000Between $35,000 And $65,000
Highest paying City-Wilmington, DE
Highest paying state-Hawaii
Best paying company-Baptist Health Care
Best paying industry--

Differences between physical trainer and sports athletic trainer education

There are a few differences between a physical trainer and a sports athletic trainer in terms of educational background:

Physical TrainerSports Athletic Trainer
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 61%Bachelor's Degree, 78%
Most common majorKinesiologyAthletic Training
Most common collegeUniversity of Michigan - Ann ArborNorthwestern University

Physical trainer vs sports athletic trainer demographics

Here are the differences between physical trainers' and sports athletic trainers' demographics:

Physical TrainerSports Athletic Trainer
Average age3740
Gender ratioMale, 67.2% Female, 32.8%Male, 68.3% Female, 31.7%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 7.1% Unknown, 5.4% Hispanic or Latino, 10.6% Asian, 5.1% White, 71.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%Black or African American, 8.4% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 15.8% Asian, 8.5% White, 61.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.5%
LGBT Percentage13%10%

Differences between physical trainer and sports athletic trainer duties and responsibilities

Physical trainer example responsibilities.

  • Manage various football, basketball, and speed camps while conveying the importance of self-motivation.
  • Receive NASM certification for personal training service.
  • Create feedback and progress reports regarding development for on boarding new associates and provide official information on a SharePoint database.
  • Create original TRX classes and encourage inactive members to participate consistently.

Sports athletic trainer example responsibilities.

  • Cover athletic events for football, soccer, basketball, track and field, baseball and softball, including travel.
  • Coordinate game day operations, travel arrangements and provide medical coverage for football, women's volleyball, and aquatics.
  • Maintain personal health information pertinent to require records for rehabilitation, fitness/wellness, and injury prevention programming.
  • Comply with all NCAA and NATA code of ethics, rules, and regulations.
  • Instruct and certify coaches, teacher, and other staff in CPR and first aid.
  • Work in-season with tennis and out-of-season with field hockey, women's soccer, and men's soccer.
  • Show more

Physical trainer vs sports athletic trainer skills

Common physical trainer skills
  • Physical Therapy, 45%
  • Strength Training, 12%
  • Soccer, 12%
  • Weight Loss, 8%
  • Training Sessions, 8%
  • Front Desk, 8%
Common sports athletic trainer skills
  • Rehabilitation, 28%
  • Patient Care, 17%
  • CPR, 17%
  • Student Athletes, 7%
  • Athletic Events, 3%
  • Athletic Injuries, 3%

Browse personal care and attendants jobs