Career Overview
Compete in athletic events.
Also Known As
- Baseball Player
- Golf Professional
- Hockey Player
- Race Car Driver
Alternate Job Titles
- All Terrain Vehicle Racer (ATV Racer)
- Archer
- Athlete
- Automobile Racer (Auto Racer)
- Barrel Racer
- Baseball Pitcher
- Baseball Player
- Basketball Player
- Bass Fisher
- Bicycle Racer
- Bicyclist
- Billiard Player
- BMX Rider (Bicycle Motocross Rider)
- Bodybuilder
- Bowler
What You'll Do
In this role, your typical responsibilities include:
- Assess performance following athletic competition, identifying strengths and weaknesses and making adjustments to improve future performance.
- Maintain equipment used in a particular sport.
- Attend scheduled practice or training sessions.
- Maintain optimum physical fitness levels by training regularly, following nutrition plans, or consulting with health professionals.
- Participate in athletic events or competitive sports, according to established rules and regulations.
- Exercise or practice under the direction of athletic trainers or professional coaches to develop skills, improve physical condition, or prepare for competitions.
- Receive instructions from coaches or other sports staff prior to events and discuss performance afterwards.
Knowledge You'll Use
You'll need solid knowledge in these areas:
- Administration and Management
- English Language
- Customer and Personal Service
Essential Skills
Success in this career requires strong skills in:
- Speaking
- Active Listening
- Critical Thinking
- Coordination
Key Abilities
This career requires key abilities in:
- Oral Comprehension
- Static Strength
- Oral Expression
- Stamina
- Problem Sensitivity
- Dynamic Strength
- Explosive Strength
- Speech Clarity
- Gross Body Coordination
- Near Vision
Work Style
People who excel in this career typically demonstrate:
- Achievement Orientation
- Perseverance
- Self-Confidence
- Stress Tolerance
- Self-Control
What Matters in This Career
This career tends to satisfy these work values:
- Achievement
- Recognition
- Relationships
- Support
- Independence
Education & Preparation
Typical Education: Less than a High School Diploma
Related Work Experience Needed: Over 4 years, up to and including 6 years
On-the-Job Training: None or short demonstration
Education Details: Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
Experience Required: Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.
Technology You'll Use
Popular Technologies & Software
- Adobe Photoshop
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office software
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Word
- Oracle PeopleSoft
Tools & Equipment
- Badminton rackets
- Balance beams
- Baseball catching gloves
- Bicycle motocross BMX bikes
- Bowling balls
- Boxing gloves
- Competition javelins
- Competition sailboats
- Competition shot puts
- Competition skateboards
- Competition snowboards
- Competition surfboards
- Competition water skis
- Core strengthening wheels
- Cross-country skis
Work Environment
- Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
- Work With or Contribute to a Work Group or Team
- Level of Competition
- Contact With Others
- Impact of Decisions on Co-workers or Company Results
Salary & Job Market
| Salary Percentile | Annual Wage |
|---|---|
| Entry-Level (10th percentile) | $24,960 |
| Median | $62,360 |
| Top Earners (90th percentile) | >$239,200 |
Workers Employed Nationally: 14,370
Related Careers
If you're interested in this career, you might also consider:
Coaches and Scouts
Education: Bachelor's Degree
Median Salary: $45,920
Umpires, Referees, and Other Sports Officials
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $38,820
Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors
Education: Post-Secondary Certificate - awarded for training completed after high school (for example, in agriculture or natural resources, computer services, personal or culinary services, engineering technologies, healthcare, construction trades, mechanic and repair technologies, or precision production)
Median Salary: $46,180
Amusement and Recreation Attendants
Education: Less than a High School Diploma
Median Salary: $30,490
Athletic Trainers
Education: Master's Degree
Median Salary: $60,250
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Occupational data sourced from the O*NET OnLine database, developed by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration. Wage data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), 2024.