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Athletic trainers are part of a health care team that educates and works with clients to prevent, diagnose, and treat injuries. They often work in collaboration with or under the direction of licensed medical doctors. Athletic trainers may work mostly indoors in hospitals and clinics. However, trainers who work in jobs with members of sports teams may spend much of their working time outside. The nature of the work may require standing, walking, running, or crouching for considerable periods of time.

Athletic Trainer Schools

To become and athletic trainer, one needs to graduate from a four-year university that offers a program in athletic training. Additionally, more than half of athletic trainers go on to athletic trainer schools that offer a master's degree or higher.

Most jobs for athletic trainers can be found in colleges, universities, and high schools, but an almost equal number of openings can be found in the health care industry in hospitals or private offices. A much smaller number of athletic trainers work in fitness centers or professional sports settings.

The outlook for athletic trainer careers is quite good now and for the next several years. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that jobs in this profession will grow 37 percent between 2008 and 2018. Some of this growth is attributed the role of athletic trainers in performing preventative care, which should be emphasized in order to reduce health care costs associated with injuries. The median salary for athletic trainers in 2009 was $41,340 a year, with top earners making more than $65,000 a year.