Sports Medicine Career Options and Employment Outlook

Sports medicine is a broad field containing multiple career paths. Those interested in sports medicine might explore a career as a physician, physical therapist or athletic trainer. The lowest educational requirement for any of these paths is a bachelor’s degree, and the highest is a doctorate degree.

physical-therapy
Sports Medicine Essential Info
Careers in the rapidly growing field of sports medicine focus on preventing and treating sports-related injuries and improving movement and performance not only in athletes, but patients looking for more effective exercise programs, and for disabled patients desiring to expand their physical capabilities.

Sports medicine is provided by an interdisciplinary team of professionals including physicians (medical doctors), physician assistants, physical therapists, occupational therapists, athletic trainers, nurses, and others. Each educational program for sports health professionals differs in training requirements, length of training, and scope of practice. Due to the different options, a sports medicine career salary can vary depending on the path taken. The following table provides a snapshot of job outlooks and requirements for just a few types of sports medicine careers.

Career Physician Physical Therapist Athletic Trainer
Education Requirements Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.) degree Bachelor’s degree and Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree Bachelor’s degree
Other Requirements State licensure always required State licensure always required State licensure required in most states
Projected Job Growth (2018-2028) 7%* (for all physicians and surgeons) 22%* 19%*
Median Salary (2019) $236,693** (as of 2020) $89,440* $48,440*
Sources: *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, **Salary.com

Sports Medicine Careers
There is a wide array of sports medicine career choices. Even some nurses, nutritionists and dietitians may be considered sports health professionals, if their careers focus on some aspect of fitness or sports. Some of the most common sports medicine degree jobs include sports medicine physician, athletic trainer, exercise physiologist, kinesiotherapist and physical therapist. Learn more below about what you can do with a sports medicine degree in the following careers.

Sports Medicine Physicians
Both medical doctors and doctors of osteopathy deal with sports-related injuries and illnesses. Medical doctors diagnose and treat patients, prescribe medications and perform surgery. They go to an accredited medical school and earn a Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) degree. Osteopathic doctors also diagnose and treat patients, but they take a more holistic approach to medicine and focus on the body’s musculoskeletal system. They go to a college of osteopathic medicine and earn a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree (D.O.). To begin their sports medicine physician careers, both types of doctors must complete resident training and be licensed to practice medicine.

Physical Therapists
Physical therapists diagnose and treat patients facing a wide array of physical challenges, including sports-related injuries or disabilities. They help restore function and mobility to injured limbs or other parts of the body, relieve pain and try to prevent or limit the effects of disabilities caused by an accident or disease.

Most people entering this type of sports medicine profession today need a postgraduate degree in physical therapy from an accredited program, according to the BLS. A list of accredited programs can be obtained from the American Physical Therapy Association. The BLS also notes that physical therapists must be licensed to practice in every state. Though licensure requirements vary, they usually include a degree from an accredited program and passage of the National Physical Therapy Examination.

Athletic Trainers
Athletic trainers diagnose, treat and work to prevent injuries, including sports-related injuries, in patients of all ages. Unlike personal trainers or fitness specialists, athletic trainers are recognized as allied health professionals by the American Medical Association. An athletic trainer usually has at least a bachelor’s degree, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), but may also have a master’s or even a doctoral degree. The field of athletic training encompasses both entry level sports medicine jobs and jobs that require advanced training. Athletic trainers must be licensed or registered to work in almost every state. In California, Alaska, West Virginia and the District of Columbia licensure is voluntary, but recommended for job seekers.

Clinical Exercise Physiologists
A clinical exercise physiologist works with patients to maintain and improve their physical fitness. They focus on the cardiovascular system and help rehabilitate people who suffer from heart problems or other chronic diseases. Clinical exercise physiologists also develop customized exercise plans and offer sports training guidance and counseling. There can be a difference between being a clinical exercise physiologist and an exercise physiologist. Typically, a clinical exercise physiologist is a certified health care professional with at least a bachelor’s degree in exercise physiology and an accumulated amount of hands-on clinical experience. The American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) is one main organization providing a certification as a Clinical Exercise Physiologist, and the American Society of Exercise Physiologists is another.

Kinesiotherapists
Kinesiotherapists also focus on the health benefits of exercise. These sports health professionals develop and supervise exercise programs to help people regain their strength and mobility following an injury or illness. They develop therapeutic exercise plans, including aquatic exercise, and help people re-learn how to walk or use a prosthetic limb. The Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) accredits degree programs in kinesiotherapy. A kinesiotherapist can gain certification as a Registered Kinesiotherapist (RKT) through the American Kinesiotherapy Association.

Other Certifications
The American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) offers sports medicine specialty certifications such as Certified Personal Trainer (CPT) and Certified Exercise Physiologist (EP). The ACSM also offers certifications for exercise specialists who work with cancer patients and people with disabilities. One of the gold standard certifications in the field of working with athletes in a fitness performance capacity is through the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) as a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS), requiring at least a bachelor’s degree. There are other organizations with certifications or specializations that focus on sports performance, such as the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) and the American Council on Exercise (ACE).

Employment Outlook in a Sport Medicine Career
According to ExploreHealthCareers.org, the field of sports medicine is booming, with one of the fastest rates of growth of any healthcare field. Sports medicine doctors, trainers and other professionals treat both athletes and non-athletes, which expands the scope of their practices and the number of people they serve.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicted job growth between 2018 and 2028 would be 7% for all physicians and surgeons, which includes sports medicine doctors, 19% for athletic trainers, and 22% for physical therapists. The job outlook for sports medicine physicians and other sports medicine careers all exceed the national average of 4% growth for all occupations.

Salaries in Sports Medicine Jobs
Salaries for sports medicine specialists vary greatly by occupation. According to Salary.com, the median salary for sports medicine physicians as of November 2020 was $236,693. According to the BLS, median salary as of May 2019 was $89,440 for physical therapists, and $48,440 for athletic trainers.

While there are many career paths within sports medicine, and diverse salary ranges for sports medicine careers, most professionals in the industry will deal with the prevention and treatment of sports injuries. The field as a whole can expect to see above average job growth over the next decade, with physical therapist job growth at the top of the pack. A bachelor’s degree is required as a minimum for entry into this field, but candidates may need as much as a doctorate, depending on their intended career path.

FAQs about Sports Medicine Careers
How many types of sports medicine careers are there?
According to the American College of Sports Medicine, there are more than 70 occupations in the field of sports medicine. With so many options for what you can do with a sports medicine degree, it is important to consider the depth of the field and how your skills align with the different types of sports medicine careers.
What skills are important in jobs involving sports medicine?
As most sports medicine careers require a bachelor’s degree or higher, many important skills for sports health professionals are based in industry standards, which advise on proper treatment for the complexities of different physical health conditions. However, cognitive and interpersonal skills such as empathy, attention to detail and problem solving are also crucial for success in the field of sports medicine.

Looking for a Similar Assignment? Order now and Get 10% Discount! Use Coupon Code "Newclient"