How To Become an Athletic Trainer
What Is an Athletic Trainer?
Athletic trainers are medical providers who specialize in preventing, diagnosing and treating sports-related injuries.(See disclaimer 1 )Their responsibilities include rehabilitation and long-term injury prevention, and they often collaborate with physicians, coaches and strength and conditioning staff.(See disclaimer 1)
Athletic trainers who work at for educational institutions.(See disclaimer 2)
What Do Athletic Trainers Do?
Athletic trainers are healthcare professionals who help athletes stay safe and care for injuries related to physical activity. They apply clinical expertise and evidence-based, proactive care to treat injuries and support long-term wellness across active populations.(See disclaimer 1)
Key responsibilities of athletic trainers include:(See disclaimer 3)
Care
Athletic trainers provide immediate first aid and emergency response for injuries during physical activity or competition.
Risk reduction
They identify risk factors and implement evidence-based strategies to reduce the likelihood of injury and enhance safety.
Health education
Athletic trainers promote health literacy by educating patients, enabling them to understand and make informed health decisions.
Wellness optimization
Athletic trainers support overall wellness, including physical, emotional and environmental health for individuals and active groups.
Environmental safety assessments
They monitor environmental conditions and respond appropriately to ensure safe participation in physical activities.
Clinical evaluation
Athletic trainers perform physical examinations and interpret findings to formulate accurate clinical diagnoses.
Treatment planning
They establish and implement individualized care plans based on clinical diagnoses and evidence-based practices.
What Experience and Education Does an Athletic Trainer Need?
A solid educational foundation is essential for becoming an athletic trainer. This path typically starts with earning a high school diploma, followed by obtaining a bachelor’s degree in athletic training or a related field. To practice professionally, individuals must also obtain certification from the Board of Certification. In the following sections, we will explore each of these steps in more detail. Understanding these key milestones is important for anyone considering a career in athletic training.
High School Diploma
College Degree
Professional Certification
Best Degrees for Athletic Trainers
Programs for future athletic trainers combine rigorous STEM education with practical clinical experience to prepare students for the profession’s demands. Coursework is designed to build a strong foundation in science, math and nutrition while exploring specialized athletic training topics.
Key academic domains and subjects include:
Biology, chemistry, exercise science integration
Scientific communication in healthcare teams
Ethical decision-making in clinical settings
Health data analysis for outcomes
Athletic training for injury prevention
Nutrition science for performance and recovery
Social factors affecting patient care
GCU Recommends These Degree Programs for Athletic Trainers
GCU provides a clear and flexible path for students aiming for a career in athletic training. Starting with a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science with an Emphasis in Pre-Athletic Training, students can gain a strong foundation in biology, kinesiology and exercise science. The program introduces injury prevention, rehabilitation and performance enhancement.
The Master of Science in Athletic Training provides specialized training in emergency care in sports, injury evaluation, rehabilitation techniques and healthcare administration for those seeking certification and licensure as athletic trainers. Additionally, GCU offers a bridge program for individuals with a bachelor’s degree in an unrelated field, which can equip them with essential scientific and clinical knowledge to transition into the master’s program.
What Skills Does an Athletic Trainer Need?
Athletic trainers need more than technical knowledge. They depend on various personal and professional skills to care for athletes, communicate effectively and make critical decisions under pressure. These skills can enable them to handle the emotional, physical and logistical challenges of injury treatment and prevention while maintaining trust and professionalism in high-stakes environments.
Essential skills for athletic trainers include:(See disclaimer 1)
Compassion
Decisiveness
Attention to detail
Interpersonal skills
Adaptability
Physical stamina
Problem-solving
Where Do Athletic Trainers Work?
Athletic trainers work in a variety of settings. They can be found in schools, hospitals, professional sports teams and the military, and their role adapts to the specific needs of each environment.(See disclaimer 1) Many trainers work evenings and weekends and often need to travel to support teams during games and events. Learn more about careers in healthcare.
Common workplaces for athletic trainers include:(See disclaimer 1)
Educational institutions
Athletic trainers in high schools and colleges offer injury prevention, emergency care and rehabilitation services to student-athletes, collaborating closely with coaches and medical staff.
Hospitals
Athletic trainers aid in patient rehabilitation, work alongside physicians and physical therapists, and support recovery for both athletes and non-athletes.
Therapy offices
Athletic trainers collaborate with physical, occupational, and speech therapists in clinics to help patients restore mobility and function through specialized treatment plans.
Military and law enforcement agencies
Athletic trainers enhance physical readiness and aid injury recovery for service members and officers in demanding tactical environments.
Professional sports teams
Trainers at the elite level manage athlete health, provide on-the-spot care during games and oversee long-term performance and recovery strategies.
Performing arts
Athletic trainers for performing artists provide specialized care and conditioning to prevent injuries, manage physical stress, and enhance peak performance.
Estimated growth for athletic trainers expected from 2024 to 2034(See disclaimer 5)
Median annual wage for athletic trainers in May 2024(See disclaimer 6)
.jpg)
Advancement Opportunities Within Athletic Training
Athletic training can offer a diverse career path with opportunities for advancement into leadership and administrative roles. Many begin as assistant athletic trainers and, with experience, can progress to positions such as head athletic trainer, athletic director or practice administrator within hospitals, clinics or physician offices. These roles include increased responsibilities like staff management.
Explore More on Athletic Training
Explore the field of athletic training and gain more insights into the available opportunities.
Discover how physical therapists and athletic trainers differ in education, scope and patient care to find the right fit for your career goals.
.jpg)
Explore key strategies for preventing sports injuries and keeping athletes safe, strong and game-ready.
Uncover the careers available with an exercise science degree, from fitness coaching to clinical health roles.
Discover how an athletic training degree at GCU can turn your passion for sports and healthcare into a powerful career.
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2025, Aug. 28). Athletic Trainers. Occupational Outlook Handbook. Retrieved Sept. 12, 2025.
- Zippia. (2025, Jan. 8). Athletic Trainer Demographics and Statistics in the U.S. Zippia. Retrieved Sept. 12, 2025.
- Board of Certification for the Athletic Trainer. (2023). Content Outline for Practice Analysis, 8th Edition.
- National Athletic Trainers’ Association. (n.d.). Obtain Certification. Nata.org. Retrieved Sept. 16, 2025.
- COVID-19 has adversely affected the global economy and data from 2020 to 2023 may be atypical compared to prior years. Accordingly, data shown is effective August 2025, which can be found here: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Athletic Trainers, retrieved Sept. 19, 2025.
- The earnings referenced were reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Athletic Trainers as of May 2024, retrieved Sept. 19, 2025. Due to COVID-19, data from 2020 to 2023 may be atypical compared to prior years. BLS calculates the median using salaries of workers nationwide with varying levels of education and experience. It does not reflect the earnings of GCU graduates as athletic trainers, nor does it reflect the earnings of workers in one city or region of the country or a typical entry-level salary. Median income is the statistical midpoint for the range of salaries in a specific occupation. It is very unlikely that a median salary will reflect an entry-level salary. It represents what you would earn if you were paid more money than half the workers in an occupation, and less than half the workers in an occupation. It may give you a basis to estimate what you might earn at some point if you enter this career. Grand Canyon University can make no guarantees on individual graduates’ salaries. Your employability will be determined by numerous factors over which GCU has no control, such as the employer the graduate chooses to apply to, the graduate’s experience level, individual characteristics, skills, etc. against a pool of candidates.