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Job outlook for sports medicine trainers in the United States
Are sports medicine trainer jobs in demand?
Sports medicine trainer job and salary trends over time
Sports medicine trainer jobs over time
Sports medicine trainer job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 145 | 0.00% |
| 2020 | 152 | 0.00% |
| 2019 | 159 | 0.00% |
| 2018 | 149 | 0.00% |
| 2017 | 139 | 0.00% |
Average sports medicine trainer salary over time
Sports medicine trainer salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $68,497 | $32.93 | +2.9% |
| 2024 | $66,547 | $31.99 | +2.0% |
| 2023 | $65,269 | $31.38 | +1.9% |
| 2022 | $64,060 | $30.80 | +2.2% |
| 2021 | $62,686 | $30.14 | +2.1% |
Sports medicine trainer jobs by state
Most common states for sports medicine trainers
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 561 | 10% |
| 2 | Iowa | 3,145,711 | 302 | 10% |
| 3 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 132 | 10% |
| 4 | Maine | 1,335,907 | 127 | 10% |
| 5 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 73 | 10% |
| 6 | Connecticut | 3,588,184 | 331 | 9% |
| 7 | Kansas | 2,913,123 | 248 | 9% |
| 8 | Illinois | 12,802,023 | 1,038 | 8% |
| 9 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 575 | 8% |
| 10 | Indiana | 6,666,818 | 560 | 8% |
| 11 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 492 | 8% |
| 12 | Wisconsin | 5,795,483 | 454 | 8% |
| 13 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 422 | 8% |
| 14 | Oregon | 4,142,776 | 343 | 8% |
| 15 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 147 | 8% |
| 16 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 87 | 8% |
| 17 | Delaware | 961,939 | 79 | 8% |
| 18 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 56 | 8% |
| 19 | New Jersey | 9,005,644 | 606 | 7% |
| 20 | Washington | 7,405,743 | 533 | 7% |
Most common cities for sports medicine trainers
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bradenton | 1 | 2% | $63,080 |
Sports Medicine Trainer job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of sports medicine trainer experts
Wichita State University
Western New Mexico University
William Paterson University
William Paterson University
Methodist University
The University of Alabama in Huntsville
Utah Valley University
School of Medicine and Public Health
What general advice would you give to a Sports Medicine Trainer?
Heidi Bell PhD, CPT, CNG: Acquire the necessary certifications (credible certifications) to complement and enhance your qualifications above and beyond the college degree. I believe it is also important for one to understand where their passion lies and be/become the "expert" in that area. As an exercise physiologist you hold a breadth of knowledge and understanding across a broad spectrum of the human body in relation of health, nutrition, functional movement, physiological responses (aging, exercise, disease...) and more but within this wealth of knowledge find the niche that excites you and begin to specialize in that area(s). Exercise Science/Kinesiology is a very competitive industry and building a strong portfolio that highlights one's unique qualifications compared to the competition will invite a more competitive starting package. Also, be confident, not arrogant but confident in who you are and what you bring to the company.
Dr. Imran Kayani
Clinical Exercise PhysiologistWhat general advice would you give to a Sports Medicine Trainer?
Dr. Imran Kayani: The factors that can help you to excel in the respective field are doing additional qualifications like ACSM-CEP certification (American College of Sports Medicine-Clinical Exercise Physiologist), and also keep on updating your knowledge related to the latest advancements by becoming ACSM member and attending in-person seminars and online ACSM modules and webinars.
What Sports Medicine Trainer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Imran Kayani: The advice to the beginners who want to pursue their careers in the respective field is that they should try to get the proper qualification that is either BS or MS in Exercise Science. Also have a good knowledge of EKG. Take an additional course of EKG in case it is not part of the Curriculum. Also get the BLS (Basic Life Support) certification from AHA (American Heart Association).
Garrett Peltonen
Assistant Professor of KinesiologyWestern New Mexico University
Sports, Kinesiology, And Physical Education/Fitness
What Sports Medicine Trainer skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Garrett Peltonen: As the American College of Sports Medicine says, "exercise is medicine." Thus, helping people become more active and witnessing improvements in their physical and mental health is extremely rewarding. On the contrary, it is often difficult to overcome the barriers of modern society to increase physical activity. These barriers primarily include a lack of physical activity infrastructure and lack of social support.
Toni LaSala Ph.D.
Internship Coordinator, Exercise ScienceWilliam Paterson University
Department of Kinesiology
What skills stand out on Sports Medicine Trainer resumes?
Toni LaSala Ph.D.: For an Exercise Physiologist working in Cardiac Rehab:
-Experience working with clients in Phase 2 and Phase 3 Cardiac rehabilitation
-Knowledge in assessments (subjective and objective) by going over medical history, assess risk factors at rest and during exercise
-Working knowledge of Cardiac Stress Testing
-Develop appropriate individualized exercise programs
-Demonstrate and lead proper exercises to improve patient's health
What hard/technical skills are most important for Sports Medicine Trainers?
Toni LaSala Ph.D.: -Bachelor's Degree in Exercise Science
-Knowledge in reading EKG's,
-Proficient in taking blood pressure
-Measuring pulse oxygen levels and heart rate
-Cardiopulmonary stress testing
-Knowledge in performing appropriate body composition methods
-Knowledge of how to prescribe exercise programming to those with special consideration (e.g., osteoporosis, diabetes, hypertension, arthritis, pre and post-transplantation, metabolic disease, lung disorders, cancer, etc.)
-Working directly with patients to assist in lifestyle and behavior change
Toni LaSala Ph.D.
Internship Coordinator, Exercise ScienceWilliam Paterson University
Department of Kinesiology
What skills stand out on Sports Medicine Trainer resumes?
Toni LaSala Ph.D.: For an Exercise Physiologist working in Cardiac Rehab:
-Experience working with clients in Phase 2 and Phase 3 Cardiac rehabilitation
-Knowledge in assessments (subjective and objective) by going over medical history, assess risk factors at rest and during exercise
-Working knowledge of Cardiac Stress Testing
-Develop appropriate individualized exercise programs
-Demonstrate and lead proper exercises to improve patient's health
What soft skills should all Sports Medicine Trainers possess?
Toni LaSala Ph.D.: Students need to be compassionate and have great communication skills to be able to speak and listen to patients/clients for a variety of reasons. Some patients/clients like to talk about themselves and just want a listening ear and to hear what they are saying regarding their overall day to day activities as it relates to their health. They also need to communicate with the health care team.
They must possess strong written skills as they need to track all aspects of the patient/client visits.
Knowledge of how to use a computer.
What's a day at work look like for a Sports Medicine Trainer?
Grayson Lipford Ph.D.: The opportunities for graduates in the Kinesiology/Exercise and Sport Science field are many and varied. Graduates may pursue careers in commercial fitness, strength and conditioning in an academic setting, community health education, or pursue graduate degrees in Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Medicine, Dentistry, or other health-related fields. Therefore, it's difficult to say what a day at work will look like since jobs can be so varied. However, expect that, obviously, more time will be spent on cleaning at the site and more remote work, such as video-based meetings with clients and patients. Skill at using technology has always been important but the recent events have emphasized this. Also, being agile and able to quickly adapt to changing environments is key. There will continue to be changes in procedures and regulation and the ability to "roll with the punches" is important.
Dr. Paul Whitehead Ph.D.
Assistant Professor, Exercise ScienceThe University of Alabama in Huntsville
Department of Kinesiology
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Sports Medicine Trainers?
Dr. Paul Whitehead Ph.D.: I think it is safe to say the pandemic will have a lasting effect on all of us. We have had to adjust the way we attend class, the way we study, and the way we test. Some of the changes will have a positive impact on future attempts, while some adjustments have helped highlight some aspects that aren't favorable. For graduates who have had their senior year impacted by the pandemic, I think there are some real positives. The recent graduates have had to learn to be more flexible and accommodating, as 2020 was a series of unknowns. The recent graduates have also had to improve their intrinsic motivation and time-management skills, as there wasn't necessarily the daily reminders from the professor in the classroom. I remember telling my students in March when the pandemic first forced us online, "You'll have a story to tell your grandkids one day." Now that we are almost a full year into the pandemic, those words strike even more true.
What experience really stands out on Sports Medicine Trainer resumes?
Dr. Paul Whitehead Ph.D.: At UAH, we have a dedicated research component for all of our seniors, and most of our graduates come away having conducted thesis-caliber work as part of a small research group. More and more, research experience is being valued on resumes and applications. Even if a student never does another research project after they leave our program, I am a firm believer that the two-semester group research experience will make them more successful in their professional goals. They have to learn to comb through the literature and synthesize the material. They have to learn to work well as part of a group. They have to collect and analyze their data. They have to present their findings. Whether they continue in human performance assessment or not, the skills of synthesizing information, strategizing effective group work and management, organizing information, and presenting your work will be present in virtually any professional realm.
Tyler Standifird Ph.D.
Assistant ProfessorUtah Valley University
Department of Exercise Science
What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for Sports Medicine Trainers in the next 3-5 years?
Tyler Standifird Ph.D.: I am excited to see how the ability to detect movement and health will continue to improve. Activity monitors can do everything from HR to simple EKG measurements. We have sleep tracking and physical activity tracking, and all of these things will need to get better. Wearable sensors that can put out fitness and essential health metrics will be the most crucial trend shortly. AS a part of that is an ability for exercise professions, therapists, and doctors to use these devices to gather data without having to see a patient. A therapist or doctor can get some basic idea of the range of motion of a joint, strength in a muscle, cardiovascular issues, sleep issues, and even essential brain activity.
Will there be an increase or decrease in demand for Sports Medicine Trainers in the next 5 years?
Tyler Standifird Ph.D.: I think medicine, and therapy, and health will increase as we know more about these fields' long-term benefit. Preventative medicine in wellness and healthy living will see a massive increase in the coming years. As the baby boomer generation gets older, we will need great therapists to take them through therapy post-stroke or total joint replacement. But those who are successful in this will be those who think outside of the box. We need graduates in these fields who can forge their path and think of unique and creative ways to engage individuals in healthy living and also therapy and medicine when needed. I think technology will give our graduates the tools, but they will need to use problem-solving, creativity, and critical thinking skills to use those tools to provide results.
Amy G. Schubert and Lisa Steinkamp
Director of Admissions and Program DirectorSchool of Medicine and Public Health
Physical Therapy Program
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Sports Medicine Trainers?
Amy G. Schubert and Lisa Steinkamp: It is likely that there will be an enduring impact of COVID-19 on everyone, graduates included. One thing that we're finding is the importance of physical therapy for the early mobilization of patients who are hospitalized and recovering from COVID-19. This is a virus that may very well have long-term effects, which we may very well be addressing in our profession for a long time. Also, some employers are looking for new employees to take on non-traditional clinic schedules with varying hours to accommodate clinics being open more hours/day and days/week to decrease the volume of patients in the clinic at one time; this may be something that becomes more of a new norm. Employers may also consider continuing more flexibility in work schedules to allow for a better work-life balance long-term. Telehealth options have moved from the back burner to the front burner, and graduates have had to quickly learn how to navigate virtual means of interviewing and treating patients. Telehealth will likely become a regular part of the practice and will facilitate treatment for patients who have traditionally faced barriers to scheduling in-person appointments.