Navigating the Field: NCAA Athletic Training Requirements and Salary Expectations

For those drawn to the intersection of sports, healthcare, and peak performance, a career as an athletic trainer offers a fulfilling path. This article delves into the multifaceted world of athletic training within the NCAA context, exploring the requirements, responsibilities, and salary expectations associated with this vital role.

The Role of the Athletic Trainer

Athletic trainers are healthcare professionals specializing in the prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of injuries and medical conditions related to physical activity. Their expertise extends beyond the sports field, making them integral to the healthcare system. The Athletic Trainer position oversees the healthcare management of assigned sports and serves as the primary point of contact between sports medicine, coaching staff, and student-athletes.

Key Responsibilities

The common responsibilities of an athletic trainer include:

Developing Injury-Prevention Programs: Creating and implementing strategies to minimize the risk of injuries during training and competition.
Evaluating Injuries On-Site: Assessing injuries during practices or games to provide immediate care and determine the appropriate course of action.
Providing Immediate Emergency Care: Responding to emergencies and providing necessary medical assistance.
Designing and Overseeing Rehabilitation Plans: Developing and supervising personalized rehabilitation programs to help athletes recover from injuries.
Educating Athletes and Teams: Providing guidance on health, wellness, and injury prevention.
Collaboration: Athletic trainers often collaborate with doctors and physical therapists while on the job, making them an important part of the healthcare system.

Athletic trainers work under the direction of a licensed physician and with other healthcare providers, often discussing specific injuries and treatment options or evaluating and treating patients, as directed by a physician.

The ultimate goal is to keep athletes safe and healthy so they're able to perform at their best.

Work Environments

One of the most appealing aspects of an athletic training career is the diverse range of work settings available.

Common work settings include:

Colleges and Universities: Supporting student-athletes in various sports programs.
High Schools: Helping younger athletes stay safe and recover from injuries.
Professional Sports: Working with professional athletes in leagues like the NFL, NBA, and MLB.
Hospitals and Clinics: Supporting patient rehabilitation.
Military and Public Safety: Keeping service members and first responders fit for duty.

Athletic trainers may travel to games with athletes. Athletic trainers work with people of all ages and all skill levels, from young children to soldiers and professional athletes.

Educational Path and Certification

Becoming a certified athletic trainer requires a combination of education, clinical experience, and certification. The typical path involves:

Earning a Bachelor's Degree: Most students begin with a degree in athletic training, exercise science, or a related health field.
Completing a Master's Degree: A Master's degree in athletic training has become the standard for entering the profession. Admission into athletic trainer master’s programs generally requires a bachelor's degree with completion of coursework in science and health.
Passing the BOC Exam: The BOC (Board of Certification) exam is a national certification exam that ensures candidates are qualified to practice.
Getting Licensed (If Required): Many states require athletic trainers to be licensed or registered. Check the National Athletic Trainers Association (NATA) for specific state requirements. Nearly all states require athletic trainers to be licensed or certified; requirements vary by state. Certification typically requires graduating from an accredited program and passing a qualifying exam. To maintain certification, athletic trainers must take continuing education courses.
Gaining Hands-On Experience: Internships, clinical rotations, and supervised training hours are critical for building real-world skills.

Choosing an established program with strong clinical placements and opportunities to gain connections in the industry makes a huge difference when starting your career.

Read also: Crafting Your NCAA Profile

Salary Expectations

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for athletic trainers was $60,250 in May 2024. The exact number varies based on other outside factors.

Here's a quick breakdown:

Entry-Level Athletic Trainers (Right out of College): $45,000 - $50,000
Mid-Career Trainers (5-10 Years of Experience): $55,000 - $65,000
Senior-Level Trainers or Those in Specialized Settings: $70,000 plus

Factors Influencing Salary

Several factors can influence an athletic trainer's salary:

Location: Athletic trainers in larger cities or states with high demand may earn more. Occupational employment projections are developed for all states by Labor Market Information (LMI) or individual state Employment Projections offices. All state projections data are available at www.projectionscentral.org. Information on this site allows projected employment growth for an occupation to be compared among states or to be compared within one state. CareerOneStop includes hundreds of occupational profiles with data available by state and metro area. There are links in the left-hand side menu to compare occupational employment by state and occupational wages by local area or metro area.
Industry: Trainers in professional sports can earn significantly more than those in high schools.
Education Level: A master's degree in athletic training often leads to a higher salary and more job opportunities. Gaining certifications is another way to help increase your salary.

Challenges and Considerations in the NCAA

The NCAA environment presents unique challenges and considerations for athletic trainers. Recent changes in labor laws, particularly the Department of Labor's ruling on minimum salary thresholds for exempt employees, impact athletic departments.

Impact of Department of Labor Ruling

Over the next six months, the minimum salary threshold (originally $35,568) for administrators exempt from overtime pay will rise not once, but twice. As of July 1, the new threshold requires an employee be paid a minimum salary of $43,888; on January 1, 2025, those same employees will see a second bump to $58,656, with further increases every three years. The ruling informs college human resource professionals and athletics administrators managing this issue.

According to a report released in June 2024, 11,000 employees at 646 institutions are impacted by this ruling. The employee must be paid on a salaried basis; The salary must hit the minimum threshold as outlined above; Employees “primary duties” comply with the “duties test” for an “executive, administrator or professional” employee.

While "exempt heads of athletics training programs have a median salary well above the January threshold, and nearly all reported to us (98%) are exempt,” under-resourced schools may face excruciating financial decisions. “The results from our report indicate that both the July and January overtime salary threshold requirements will disproportionately affect institutions with operating expenses of about $57 million or less.”

Staffing Challenges

There is widespread concern that the job has become onerous and too consuming, making it difficult to find and retain qualified employees. Of course, one way to do this is to pay them more.

It’s a different story for athletic trainers. Many work very long, often shifting, hours during the competition season(s), with frequent diversions from their “set” schedule.

Qualities of a Successful Athletic Trainer

The following are examples of qualities that are important for these workers to perform their duties.

Compassion: Athletic trainers work with athletes and patients who may be in considerable pain or discomfort.
Decision-Making Skills:
Detail Oriented:
Interpersonal Skills: Athletic trainers must have strong interpersonal skills in order to manage difficult situations.

The Future of Athletic Training

The demand for athletic trainers is expected to grow 13% by 2033, much faster than the national average for most professions. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.

Sports programs at all ages and for all experience levels will continue to create demand for athletic trainers. With high levels of participation by children and youth in individual and team sports, athletic trainers will be needed to manage emergency and non-emergency situations that arise. Meanwhile, growing numbers of middle-aged and older adults are remaining physically active. Their continued activity will likely lead to an increase in athletics-related injuries, such as sprains.

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