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HealthcareTop JobColorado Talent Pipeline Report-aligned occupation with strong annual openings, growth, and wage signals.

Athletic Trainer

Evaluate and treat musculoskeletal injuries or illnesses. Provide preventive, therapeutic, emergency, and rehabilitative care.

Annual openings

57

Median wage

$64,580

Typical education

Master's degree

Growth 2026–2032

+13%

Median wage source: Colorado BLS OEWS (2025).

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Career requirements

What does this career require?

Explore education, required qualifications, voluntary credentials and employer preferences for this role. Check the details to see which apply.

Typical education

Master's degree

Credential requirement

To practice, you will need to receive an Athletic Trainer license after passing an exam administered by the Board of Certification for the Athletic Trainer.

Work experience

This can be entry-level, but it could be an additional step on a career pathway.

Is this work a fit?

What the work actually feels like

How people in this career tend to spend their time, the interests it draws on, and a look at a typical day.

Automation exposure

Low exposure

Tasks here lean on judgement and people skills that are hard to automate.

A typical day

  1. Conduct an initial assessment of an athlete's injury or illness to provide emergency or continued care and to determine whether they should be referred to physicians for definitive diagnosis and treatment.
  2. Assess and report the progress of recovering athletes to coaches or physicians.
  3. Care for athletic injuries, using physical therapy equipment, techniques, or medication.
  4. Evaluate athletes' readiness to play and provide participation clearances when necessary and warranted.
  5. Perform general administrative tasks, such as keeping records or writing reports.
  6. Clean and sanitize athletic training rooms.
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