In the article below we will show you how to become an athletic trainer from start to finish. We will walk you threw what the steps are to get started, where the schools are, how to find them, how to get certified in your state, what the future looks like for the allied health career and more!
Athletic training is becoming more and more popular every year and the future looks really bright for the career as a whole. There are more people using athletic trainers now than at any time before so getting in the career now is a great idea!
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The Steps to Become an Athletic Trainer
Getting bachelors degree is standard for all athletic and personal trainers. That being said, it is more and more common to see masters degrees in the field as well. Athletic training degree programs all consist of classroom and clinical sections. These sections will typically include subjects in science and health (biology, anatomy, physiology, and nutrition).
How to Get Your Athletic Training Certification
Attending a program that is accredited by the The (CAATE) Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education is vital to your success. Certification can not be earned without it.
The (BOC) Board of Certification for the Athletic Trainer is the standardized certification exam that most states in the country use for licensing their athletic and personal trainers. The athletic training certification requires that candidates graduate from a CAATE-accredited athletic training program and successfully take and pass the BOC exam.
Once athletic training certification is earned all trainers are expected to maintain their current certifications and adhere to the BOC Standards of Professional Practice and also take continuing education classes when they apply.
Qualities of a Good Athletic Trainer
To be a successful athletic trainer you will typically need the qualities listed below.
Compassion – Feeling for your students state of being is imperative to the job.
Attention to Detail – Being organized and noticing the little details about your students is important and can be the difference in a good and great trainer.
Be Hard Working – If someone gets an athletic trainer they expect t work hard, so if you are one, you will need to meet that expectation.
Have Confidence – When you are driving someone to be their better self, you will need to have confidence and show them how they can do it like you did.
Be in Good Physical Shape – Leading by example is probably the most important reason why an athletic trainer must be in good shape physically. In the world of athletic training, results matter.
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Athletic Trainer Salary
According to the bureau labor statistics in the United States, athletic training jobs are increasing by 19% over the next decade! There are also over 31,000 new jobs expected over that time period as well!
What is the average salary for an Athletic Trainer?
The average salary for an athletic trainer is $47,510 per year. They earn slightly different amounts depending on where they are employed. Se the breakdown of athletic training salary below.
Athletic Trainer Pay by Employer Type?
Educational Services – $50,650
Hospitals; state, local, and private – $46,680
Fitness and recreational sports centers – $45,970
Physical, Occupational and Speech Therapists Offices – $44,240
Athletic Training Salary by State
| State | Hourly Wage | Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $20.40 | $42,424 |
| Alaska | $22.86 | $47,545 |
| Arizona | $21.57 | $44,871 |
| Arkansas | $20.59 | $42,830 |
| California | $22.81 | $47,454 |
| Colorado | $21.69 | $45,121 |
| Connecticut | $22.78 | $47,378 |
| Delaware | $21.58 | $44,888 |
| Florida | $19.14 | $39,812 |
| Georgia | $20.44 | $42,523 |
| Hawaii | $22.90 | $47,641 |
| Idaho | $22.86 | $47,545 |
| Illinois | $20.02 | $41,644 |
| Indiana | $21.22 | $44,138 |
| Iowa | $21.14 | $43,971 |
| Kansas | $20.71 | $43,079 |
| Kentucky | $21.18 | $44,060 |
| Louisiana | $21.04 | $43,755 |
| Maine | $20.65 | $42,956 |
| Maryland | $23.16 | $48,165 |
| Massachusetts | $24.81 | $51,613 |
| Michigan | $19.90 | $41,401 |
| Minnesota | $21.57 | $44,867 |
| Mississippi | $20.12 | $41,843 |
| Missouri | $19.59 | $40,748 |
| Montana | $22.86 | $47,545 |
| Nebraska | $22.83 | $47,485 |
| Nevada | $22.86 | $47,545 |
| New Hampshire | $24.33 | $50,601 |
| New Jersey | $21.70 | $45,146 |
| New Mexico | $20.23 | $42,075 |
| New York | $25.01 | $52,026 |
| North Carolina | $17.66 | $36,734 |
| North Dakota | $22.86 | $47,545 |
| Ohio | $21.24 | $44,189 |
| Oklahoma | $21.12 | $43,925 |
| Oregon | $21.56 | $44,837 |
| Pennsylvania | $21.65 | $45,034 |
| Rhode Island | $22.08 | $45,924 |
| South Carolina | $21.57 | $44,876 |
| South Dakota | $21.67 | $45,070 |
| Tennessee | $21.51 | $44,745 |
| Texas | $20.55 | $42,745 |
| Utah | $21.40 | $44,519 |
| Vermont | $22.92 | $47,665 |
| Virginia | $22.37 | $46,524 |
| Washington | $22.73 | $47,271 |
| West Virginia | $22.16 | $46,089 |
| Wisconsin | $20.85 | $43,361 |
| Wyoming | $22.86 | $47,545 |
Source: www.bls.gov
What is the job outlook for Athletic Trainers?
As we stated above the job growth is stable at stable and above the national average at 19%. As with most other healthcare careers, athletic training jobs are sought after and seeing a high demand across the country! There are a few factors to why athletic training is on the rise. You can look at them below.
There are more information about athletic training than ever before and there more sophisticated treatments than ever. There is also more people from older generations working out and training than ever before as well. These two factors are just a coupe of the contributing reasons to the career growth in athletic training. Learning how to become an athletic trainer has never been more streamlined and is looking like a great idea for a future career!