Last Updated on December 14, 2022

Sports Medicine Careers

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Sports medicine is a fast-growing healthcare field that focuses on the treatment of athletic injuries. Sports medicine healthcare providers help athletes and other physically active patients improve movement and performance. These professionals also work to prevent illness and injury and treat sports-related injuries.

The field of sports medicine encompasses a variety of career paths, including physical therapy, athletic training, and exercise physiology. Those interested in healthcare and sports may find a career in this industry highly rewarding.

Why Pursue a Career in Sports Medicine?

Sports medicine healthcare providers give treatment to anyone who sustains injuries from physical activity — not just athletes. Because this field contains many different medical positions, the career path you take will depend on the degree level you choose and the environment you want to work in.

A sports medicine degree allows graduates to work in the healthcare and sports sectors. Those interested in treating all types of physically active patients, from young children to professional athletes, can pursue careers as physical therapists and exercise physiologists. If you are passionate about working exclusively with athletes, a career as an athletic trainer or team physician might be a good fit for you.

Sports Medicine Career Outlook

The career outlook for sports medicine positions varies depending on a worker’s role, educational level, and industry. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects the employment of athletic trainers will grow by 19% between 2018 and 2028, which is much faster than the average projected growth for all occupations in the U.S.

Graduates with a sports medicine bachelor’s degree can pursue a career as an exercise physiologist. These professionals earn a median annual salary of $49,170, and the BLS projects this occupation to grow by 10% from 2018-2028.

Other positions in this field, such as physical therapists and physicians, require a doctoral degree and have much higher earning potential. According to the BLS, physical therapists and team physicians earn median annual salaries of $84,400 and more than $208,000, respectively.

The table below features salaries for a few popular sports medicine careers, as well as salary prospects for professionals with various levels of work experience.

Source: PayScale

Skills Gained With a Sports Medicine Degree

Through classwork, hands-on training, and experience, you can hone many in-demand skills that transfer to a variety of sports medicine careers. The following list outlines five common competencies that you can expect to gain from a sports medicine program.EXPAND ALLCompassionCommunicationResearchOrganizationDexterity

Sports Medicine Career Paths

As a broad field that contains positions in healthcare and sport, students can pursue a variety of career paths with a sports medicine degree. With an undergraduate degree, students can find job opportunities with hospitals and professional sports teams, where they may work as athletic trainers or exercise physiologists.

Alternatively, graduates with a master’s degree can explore positions in clinical settings as occupational therapists or kinesiotherapists. Students can also go on to earn a doctor of physical therapy and become a licensed physical therapist.EXPAND ALLHealth InformaticsExecutive LeadershipAthletic TrainingKinesiology

How to Start Your Career in Sports Medicine

Sports medicine encompasses many industries and roles. Depending on their degree, graduates can pursue sports medicine careers as coaches, athletic trainers, physical therapists, physicians, and professors, among other roles.

The degree and concentration you select significantly impact your career choices. A bachelor’s degree qualifies you for many entry-level roles, but a master’s degree is typically needed for managerial and leadership roles. To work as a physician or professor, you must obtain a doctoral degree.

Bachelor’s Degree in Sports Medicine

A bachelor’s in sports medicine or a related field represents the minimum degree you need to work in most sports medicine careers. After earning your bachelor’s degree, you can continue your education in a master’s program or look for entry-level positions. As some master’s programs require applicants to possess relevant professional experience, you may need to work for a few years before applying to graduate school.

WHAT CAN YOU DO WITH A BACHELOR’S IN SPORTS MEDICINE?

Athletic Trainer

Athletic trainers work with athletes to identify and treat common sports injuries. Much of their job involves observing athletes for signs of injury and implementing rehabilitation programs. Bachelor’s programs prepare students for this profession by covering essential anatomy and physiology topics, including first aid.

Salary: $48,440CoachExercise PhysiologistRecreational TherapistHigh School Teacher

Source: BLS

Master’s Degree in Sports Medicine

Sports medicine master’s programs go into greater detail than bachelor’s programs. They often include extensive, hands-on requirements and academic research that results in a thesis.

Master’s programs frequently fall into one of two categories: career preparation or doctorate preparation. The former stresses practical knowledge and skills, while the latter emphasizes academic research skills. Due to the specialized nature of master’s programs, these often prepare students for specific sports medicine careers.

WHAT CAN YOU DO WITH A MASTER’S IN SPORTS MEDICINE?

Occupational Therapist

Occupational therapists treat patients with injuries and disabilities through the therapeutic use of daily activities. They evaluate patient conditions, develop treatment plans, and help people with varying abilities perform daily tasks. Most states require that occupational therapists possess a license and a master’s degree in occupational therapy, sports medicine, or a related field.

Salary: $84,950Physician AssistantNurse Practitioner

Source: BLS

Doctoral Degree in Sports Medicine

A doctorate is the terminal sports medicine degree. Many professionals earn this degree to learn about sports medicine best practices and advance into senior management positions. Doctoral programs tend to emphasize academic research, which prepares students for sports medicine careers in academia or at government agencies.

Professionals who already possess terminal degrees in other fields may earn a second doctorate to modify or focus their career paths. For instance, surgeons may earn a doctorate in sports medicine to exclusively treat professional athletes. These medical specialists often earn higher salaries than physicians without a specialization. Full-time students typically earn a doctoral degree in sports medicine in 4-6 years, depending on their graduation requirements.

WHAT CAN YOU DO WITH A DOCTORATE IN SPORTS MEDICINE?

Postsecondary Teacher

Postsecondary teachers instruct students in college and university classrooms. Other job duties may include mentoring students and publishing research. These teachers often possess a doctoral degree and extensive experience. A doctorate qualifies graduates for tenure-track positions, which come with job security and managerial responsibilities.

Salary: $79,540Physical TherapistPhysician

Source: BLS

How to Advance Your Career in Sports Medicine

Once you have earned a degree in sports medicine, there are several ways to further your career and increase your salary potential. Because many of these professionals work in clinical positions in the healthcare industry, the best way to advance your career largely depends on your current role and education level.

Healthcare professionals working as athletic trainers or exercise physiologists typically need to earn a master’s degree to advance in their role. Continuing your education can position you for a career as an occupational therapist or sports kinesiologist.

Many top careers in this field require a doctorate and licensure, as well. Team physicians and physical therapists, for example, both need a doctorate and a license to practice. Additionally, continuing education units are required for many clinical positions in sports medicine.

Certifications and/or Licensure

Many advanced careers in sports medicine — especially those in clinical settings — require additional licensing or certification. After earning a master’s degree, occupational therapists need to gain state licensure, which includes passing the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy exam.

Most states also require aspiring athletic trainers to be licensed and take the Board of Certification for the Athletic Trainer exam. Alternatively, while exercise physiologists are not required to be licensed by most states, employers typically require basic life support or advanced life support certification.

After successfully completing a residency program, physical therapists must pass the National Physical Therapy Examination to become professionally licensed, while physicians must take the United States Medical Licensing Examination. Although not required, many sports medicine healthcare providers also hold certifications in specialty areas of medicine, such as emergency and internal medicine.

Continuing Education

Depending on the sports medicine career you wish to pursue, you may need an advanced degree. Physician assistants and occupational therapists, for example, can continue their education beyond the master’s degree level to become physical therapists or team physicians.

Physical therapists need a doctor of physical therapy, while team physicians need a doctor of medicine. Both occupations typically require a clinical residency in addition to a doctoral degree. Physical therapists and physicians looking to specialize further can participate in a fellowship in an advanced clinical area.

While certificate programs and online courses can help sharpen your knowledge and position you for higher earning potential, they usually do not lead to significant career advancement. Going back to school to earn an advanced degree and/or completing residency programs to obtain clinical experience are the best ways to advance your career in sports medicine.

Next Steps

As most sports medicine healthcare professionals hold licenses and/or certifications, continuing education courses are typically required to maintain their qualifications and competencies. For example, certified athletic trainers and registered occupational therapists must take continuing education units regularly to maintain certification and stay relevant with new techniques and technologies in their field.

The continuing education units or hours that professionals must complete each renewal period vary by state. Physical therapists are required to take a certain number of continuing education courses every two years in order to renew their license. Alternatively, physicians working in states like Arkansas and Louisiana must take at least 20 hours of continuing medical education courses each year, although some states only require licensure renewal every two or three years.

Another way to enhance your professional skill set and career outlook is by joining professional organizations and networking. Becoming involved in these organizations allows you to attend conferences and meet distinguished professionals in your field. While continuing education is important and can lead to career advancements, networking can help expand your career options beyond your current place of employment.

How to Switch Your Career to Sports Medicine

Most careers in sports medicine require a degree in sports medicine or another closely related field, as well as additional certification and/or licensure. Since each sports medicine career requires different levels of education, it is important to decide which type of career path you intend to switch to.

If you are interested in becoming an athletic trainer, you must earn a degree from an accredited athletic training program and successfully pass a certification exam. Other positions, such as occupational therapists and kinesiotherapists, typically require a master’s degree and clinical experience, which usually takes about two years of postbaccalaureate study to obtain. Additionally, these professionals must be licensed.

Positions that require a professional degree, such as physical therapists and physicians, are very difficult to transition into. Along with earning a doctorate, both of these occupations require extensive education and training, including clinical experience, residency programs, fellowships, and licensure. Obtaining qualifications for these careers typically requires several additional years of full-time study and practice.

Where Can You Work as a Sports Medicine Professional?

Sports medicine professionals work across the healthcare and education sectors. Many sports medicine healthcare providers work in hospitals, nursing facilities, and private offices and clinics, while others work directly for professional sports teams. Professionals can also find employment opportunities in fitness centers, colleges, and secondary schools.EXPAND ALLGeneral Medical and Surgical HospitalsOffices of Health PractitionersNursing Care FacilitiesSpectator SportsElementary and Secondary Schools

Interview With a Professional in Sports Medicine

Dr. Scott Rosner

Weymouth Chiropractic and Wellness Center

Dr. Scott Rosner is the owner of Weymouth Chiropractic and Wellness Center in Massachusetts. In addition to a doctor of chiropractic degree, Dr. Scott holds a master’s in sports science and rehabilitation. He is certified by the American Board of Chiropractic Sports Physicians. He is also the medical director for the Boston 13s Rugby Team and has previously worked with the LPGA tour, USA gymnastics, Ringling Bros. Circus, the Beyoncé world tour, and the Taylor Swift Reputation tour.EXPAND ALLWhy did you decide to pursue this field? Was it something you were always interested in?What are some of the greatest challenges you face on a day-to-day basis? Successes?Having worked in so many different settings — academic, clinical, athletic, etc. — is there one you find particularly rewarding?What does continuing education look like for you? How do you stay up to date with new research and developments in the field?What advice would you give to someone considering a career in sports medicine?

Resources for Sports Medicine Majors

As the field of sports medicine continues to evolve in terms of evidence-based research and technological advances, there are many educational resources that can help assist current and aspiring practitioners.The following lists outline a few professional organizations and popular publications available to sports medicine students.