Career Overview
Diagnose, treat, and help prevent injuries that occur during sporting events, athletic training, and physical activities.
Also Known As
- Athletic Team Physician
- Physician
- Sports Medicine Physician
- Team Physician
Alternate Job Titles
- Athletic Team Physician
- Industrial Sports Medicine Professional
- Industrial Sports Medicine Specialist
- Nonsurgical Primary Care Sports Medicine Physician
- Orthopedic Team Physician
- Pediatric Sports Medicine Specialist
- Physician
- Primary Care Sports Medicine Physician
- Sports Doctor
- Sports Medicine Physician
- Sports Medicine Primary Care Physician
- Sports Medicine Specialist
- Sports Physician
- Team Physician
What You'll Do
In this role, your typical responsibilities include:
- Diagnose or treat disorders of the musculoskeletal system.
- Order and interpret the results of laboratory tests and diagnostic imaging procedures.
- Advise against injured athletes returning to games or competition if resuming activity could lead to further injury.
- Record athletes' medical care information, and maintain medical records.
- Record athletes' medical histories, and perform physical examinations.
- Examine and evaluate athletes prior to participation in sports activities to determine level of physical fitness or predisposition to injuries.
- Coordinate sports care activities with other experts, including specialty physicians and surgeons, athletic trainers, physical therapists, or coaches.
Knowledge You'll Use
You'll need solid knowledge in these areas:
- Medicine and Dentistry
- Biology
- English Language
- Customer and Personal Service
Essential Skills
Success in this career requires strong skills in:
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Listening
- Critical Thinking
- Monitoring
- Judgment and Decision Making
- Speaking
- Active Learning
- Social Perceptiveness
- Complex Problem Solving
- Writing
Key Abilities
This career requires key abilities in:
- Oral Comprehension
- Problem Sensitivity
- Oral Expression
- Written Comprehension
- Inductive Reasoning
- Deductive Reasoning
- Written Expression
- Speech Clarity
- Near Vision
- Speech Recognition
Work Style
People who excel in this career typically demonstrate:
- Attention to Detail
- Dependability
- Stress Tolerance
- Integrity
- Cooperation
What Matters in This Career
This career tends to satisfy these work values:
- Achievement
- Recognition
- Working Conditions
- Independence
- Relationships
Education & Preparation
Typical Education: Doctoral Degree
Related Work Experience Needed: Over 8 years, up to and including 10 years
On-the-Job Training: Anything beyond short demonstration, up to and including 1 month
Education Details: Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).
Experience Required: Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.
Technology You'll Use
Popular Technologies & Software
- eClinicalWorks EHR software
- Epic Systems
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office software
- Microsoft Word
Tools & Equipment
- Adjustable crutches
- Automated external defibrillators AED
- Body fat analyzers
- Bone densitometers
- Cast boots
- Cold therapy equipment
- Custom orthotics
- Desktop computers
- Diagnostic ultrasound scanners
- Digital spirometers
- Digital x ray machines
- Electrocardiography EKG machines
- Exercise bikes
- Fitness balls
- Goniometers or arthrometers
Work Environment
- Importance of Being Exact or Accurate
- Physical Proximity
- Freedom to Make Decisions
- Frequency of Decision Making
- Contact With Others
Salary & Job Market
Wages reported for the broader Physicians, All Other occupational group (BLS 2024), which includes Sports Medicine Physicians.
| Salary Percentile | Annual Wage |
|---|---|
| Entry-Level (10th percentile) | $66,860 |
| Median | >$239,200 |
| Top Earners (90th percentile) | >$239,200 |
Workers Employed Nationally: 315,360
Related Careers
If you're interested in this career, you might also consider:
Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Physicians
Education: Doctoral Degree
Median Salary: >$239,200
Orthopedic Surgeons, Except Pediatric
Education: Not specified
Median Salary: >$239,200
Pediatric Surgeons
Education: Not specified
Median Salary: >$239,200
General Internal Medicine Physicians
Education: Post-Doctoral Training
Median Salary: $236,350
Emergency Medicine Physicians
Education: Post-Doctoral Training
Median Salary: >$239,200
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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.