The map below shows you the number of professional athlete job openings in each state. The darker areas on the map show where professional athletes earn the highest salaries across all 50 states.

Given the change of course that has happened in the world, we wanted to provide expert opinions on what aspiring graduates can do to start off their careers in an uncertain economic climate. We wanted to know what skills will be more important, where the economy is doing relatively well, and if there will be any lasting effects on the job market. Companies are looking for candidates that can handle the new responsibilities of the job market. Recent graduates actually have an advantage because they are comfortable using newer technologies and have been communicating virtually their whole lives. They can take what they've learned and apply it immediately.We spoke to professional athlete professors and experts from several universities and companies to get their opinions on where the professional athlete job market for recent graduates is heading and how young graduates entering the professional athlete industry can be adequately prepared. Here are their thoughts.

We spoke to professional athlete professors and experts from several universities and companies to get their opinions on where the professional athlete job market for recent graduates is heading and how young graduates entering the professional athlete industry can be adequately prepared. Here are their thoughts.

Yes, professional athlete jobs are in demand. Professional athlete demand is projected to grow 36% from 2018 to 2028.

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Year	# of jobs	% of population
2021	1,764	0.00%
2020	1,199	0.00%
2019	1,622	0.00%
2018	1,546	0.00%
2017	1,596	0.00%

Year	Avg. salary	Hourly rate	% Change
2026	$51,818	$24.91	--1.0%
2025	$52,348	$25.17	+1.4%
2024	$51,615	$24.81	--1.4%
2023	$52,348	$25.17	+7.7%
2022	$48,619	$23.37	+6.8%

Rank	State	Population	# of jobs	Employment/ 1000ppl
1	North Dakota	755,393	122	16%
2	Minnesota	5,576,606	829	15%
3	Delaware	961,939	149	15%
4	District of Columbia	693,972	81	12%
5	Massachusetts	6,859,819	760	11%
6	Maine	1,335,907	148	11%
7	Pennsylvania	12,805,537	1,289	10%
8	Rhode Island	1,059,639	101	10%
9	Wyoming	579,315	58	10%
10	Indiana	6,666,818	604	9%
11	Iowa	3,145,711	289	9%
12	Wisconsin	5,795,483	491	8%
13	South Dakota	869,666	70	8%
14	Alaska	739,795	58	8%
15	Vermont	623,657	50	8%
16	Colorado	5,607,154	415	7%
17	West Virginia	1,815,857	132	7%
18	Montana	1,050,493	71	7%
19	New Jersey	9,005,644	584	6%
20	Connecticut	3,588,184	199	6%

Rank	City	# of jobs	Employment/ 1000ppl	Avg. salary
1	Cary	1	1%	$53,327
2	San Diego	1	0%	$65,521

Job outlook for professional athletes in the United States

Are professional athlete jobs in demand?

Professional athlete job and salary trends over time

Professional athlete jobs over time

Professional athlete job growth rate over time

Average professional athlete salary over time

Professional athlete salary by year

Professional athlete jobs by state

Most common states for professional athletes

Most common cities for professional athletes

Professional athlete jobs