### Bureau of Labor Statistics U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Athletes and Sports Competitors Summary
                        
            
                                                        
                                    
            
            
            
                            
                                                
                                                
                                                
                                                
            						
							
				                                                
                                            




            			athletes and sports competitors imageAthletes and sports competitors participate in officiated sports events to entertain spectators.							
						Quick Facts:     Athletes and Sports Competitors2023     Median Pay
            						$70,280     per yearTypical Entry-Level Education
                                    No formal educational credentialWork Experience in a Related Occupation
                                    NoneOn-the-job Training
                                    Long-term on-the-job trainingNumber of Jobs, 2022
                                    14,000Job Outlook, 2022-32
                                    9% (Much faster than average)Employment Change, 2022-32
                                    1,300What Athletes and Sports Competitors Do
                                                
                        
                        
Athletes and sports competitors participate in organized, officiated sporting events to entertain spectators.
            
                        Work Environment
                        
Athletes and sports competitors may work irregular schedules, including evenings, weekends, and holidays. They typically work more than 40 hours per week for several months during their particular sports season. They frequently work outside, so they may be exposed to all weather conditions.
            
                                                How to Become an Athlete or Sports Competitor
                                                
                        
No formal educational credential is typically required to become an athlete or sports competitor. Athletes must have athletic talent and an extensive knowledge of their sport. They typically get such knowledge through years of practice and experience at lower levels of competition.
            
                        Pay
                        												                            																				    														The median annual wage for athletes and sports competitors was $70,280 in May 2023.									                                					
						
            
                        Job Outlook
                        						
												Employment							of athletes and sports competitors is projected to grow							 9 percent from 2022 to 2032, much faster than the average for all occupations.
						About 1,900 openings for athletes and sports competitors are projected each year, on average, over the decade.
            			
            			 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.
						State & Area Data
                       Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for athletes and sports competitors.
            
            
						
                        Similar Occupations
                        
                                                    Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of athletes and sports competitors with similar occupations.
            
            
                        More Information, Including Links to O*NET
                        
                                               
                        Learn more about athletes and sports competitors by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
 What Athletes and Sports Competitors Do 
            

			Athletes and sports competitorsAthletes and sports competitors practice under the direction of coaches and sports instructors.			
Athletes and sports competitors participate in organized, officiated sporting events to entertain spectators.
Duties
Athletes and sports competitors typically do the following:
Practice to develop and improve their skills
Keep their sports equipment in good condition
Exercise, train, and follow special diets to stay in the best physical condition
Take instructions regarding strategy and tactics from coaches and other sports staff during practices and competitions
Follow the rules of the sport during competitions
Assess performance after each event and identify their strengths and weaknessesMany people dream of becoming a professional athlete. Few people, however, make a full-time living from professional athletics—and when they do, professional athletes often have short careers with little job security.
When performing, athletes and sports competitors must understand the strategies involved in their sport while following its rules and regulations. The events in which athletes compete include team sports, such as baseball, football, hockey, and soccer, and individual sports, such as golf, racecar driver, and tennis. The level of play varies. Some athletes compete in regional events; others compete in national or international events.
Being an athlete involves more than competing in athletic events. Athletes spend most days practicing and improving their skills under the guidance of a coach or a sports instructor. They review videos to critique and improve their performance and technique. To gain a competitive advantage, athletes also study their opponents' tendencies and weaknesses.
Because of the physical demands required by many sports, career-ending injuries are always a risk. Some athletes work regularly with fitness trainers and instructors to gain muscle and stamina and to prevent injury. They also may work with athletic trainers or exercise physiologists to recover and rebuild from injuries, even minor ones.
Sports competition at the professional level is intense, and job security is always in question. Therefore, many pro athletes train throughout the year to maintain or improve their form and technique to remain in peak physical condition. Little downtime from the sport exists at the professional level.
 Work Environment
			Athletes and sports competitorsAthletes and sports competitors are often exposed to all types of weather conditions.			

	    
				
	
	
	
	
	
	
	    					 Athletes and sports competitors held about 14,000 jobs in 2022. The largest employers of athletes and sports competitors were as follows:
        Performing arts, spectator sports, and related industries
                75%Self-employed workers
                8Fitness and recreational sports centers
                2Athletes and sports competitors who participate in outdoor competitions may be exposed to weather conditions of the season in which they play their sport. In addition, many athletes must travel to sporting events. Such travel may include long bus rides or plane trips, and, in some cases, international travel.
Injuries and Illnesses
Athletes and sports competitors have one of the highest rates of injuries and illnesses of all occupations. Many of these workers wear gloves, helmets, pads, and other protective gear to guard against injury. And although fatalities are uncommon, athletes and sports competitors experience one of the highest rates of occupational fatalities of all occupations.
Work Schedules
Athletes and sports competitors may work irregular schedules, including evenings, weekends, and holidays; part-time work is also common. During the sports season, they typically work more than 40 hours per week for several months as they practice, train, travel, and compete.
 How to Become an Athlete or Sports Competitor

			Athletes and sports competitorsAthletes and sports competitors gain experience by competing in high school, college, or club teams.			
No formal educational credential is typically required to become an athlete or sports competitor. Athletes must have athletic talent and extensive knowledge of their sport. They typically get such knowledge through years of experience at lower levels of competition.
Education
Although no formal educational credential is typically required to enter the occupation, most athletes and sports competitors have at least a high school diploma or equivalent. Some play their sport in college, where they take courses that may lead to a degree. They must have extensive knowledge of the way the sport is played—especially its rules, regulations, and strategies.
Other Experience
Athletes typically learn the rules of the game and develop their skills by playing the sport at lower levels of competition. They often begin training at a young age and may compete on club teams or in high school and collegiate athletics. In addition, athletes may improve their skills by taking private or group lessons or attending sports camps.
Training
It typically takes many years of practice and experience to become an athlete or sports competitor.
Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations
Some sports and states require athletes and sports competitors to be licensed or certified to practice. For example, racecar drivers need a driver’s license issued by their state and a certification or license from an automobile racing organization to compete in some races. State licensing boards and professional athletics associations, which serve as governing bodies of various sports, may revoke licenses and suspend participants who do not meet the required performance or training. In addition, athletes may have their licenses or certification suspended for inappropriate activity.
Advancement
Turning professional is often the biggest advancement that aspiring athletes make in their careers. They may begin to compete immediately, although some also may spend more time on the bench (as a reserve) to gain experience. In some sports, such as baseball, athletes may begin their professional career on a minor league team before moving up to the major leagues. Professional athletes generally advance in their sport by displaying superior performance and receiving accolades; in turn, they typically earn a higher salary. They also may receive endorsements from companies and brands.
Important Qualities
***Athleticism*.** Athletes and sports competitors need athletic ability to compete against opponents.
***Concentration*.** Athletes and sports competitors must focus when competing, which includes being able to block out distractions from fans and opponents.
***Decision-making skills.*** Athletes and sports competitors often must make split-second decisions that affect the outcome of a play or the entire competition.
***Dedication.*** Athletes and sports competitors must practice regularly to develop their skills and improve or maintain their physical conditioning.
***Hand–eye coordination*.** Athletes and sports competitors must be able to gauge depth and distance to react and maneuver quickly during competition, such as to strike a fast-moving ball or guide a jumping horse.
***Stamina*.** Endurance is important for helping athletes and sports competitors manage stress during events and ensure that their bodies remain in peak performance condition.
***Teamwork.*** The ability to work toward a shared goal with others, including teammates and coaches, is essential for athletes’ and sports competitors’ success.
Professional athletes also may be required to pass drug tests.
 Pay

			



	
 
                                                     
            
    
                Athletes and Sports CompetitorsMedian annual wages, May 2023Athletes and sports competitors$70,280  Entertainers and performers, sports and related workers$53,360  Total, all occupations$48,060Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy.Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics
 

	
	



		
	
	
	
The median annual wage for athletes and sports competitors was $70,280 in May 2023. 


The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $27,730, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $239,200.





		
	    					 In May 2023, the median annual wages for athletes and sports competitors in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:	
        Performing arts, spectator sports, and related industries
                $73,000Fitness and recreational sports centers
                66,660Athletes and sports competitors may work irregular schedules, including evenings, weekends, and holidays; part-time work is also common. During the sports season, they typically work more than 40 hours per week for several months as they practice, train, travel, and compete.
 Job Outlook

   
        
    
          
        
    
                Athletes and Sports CompetitorsPercent change in employment, projected 2022-32Athletes and sports competitors9%  Entertainers and performers, sports and related workers6%  Total, all occupations3%Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy.Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program
            
            
			 
	
	
	

			Employment				of athletes and sports competitors is projected to grow				 9 percent from 2022 to 2032, much faster than the average for all occupations.
			
			About 1,900 openings for athletes and sports competitors are projected each year, on average, over the decade.
			
			 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.
			Employment
	
			
Employment growth is expected to stem from an increased public interest in professional sports. Expansion is rare in professional sports leagues because forming new teams is costly and risky. However, several leagues discussing future expansion plans could affect the demand for athletes and sports competitors over the projections decade.
An interim rule change in college sports and legislation for a Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) policy in many states will allow student-athletes to sign endorsements. As a result, there should be an increase in self-employment for athletes and sports competitors over the decade.
			

                        Employment projections data for     athletes and sports competitors, 2022-32
                Occupational Title
                        SOC Code
                        Employment, 2022
                        Projected Employment, 2032
                        Change, 2022-32
                        Employment by IndustryPercent
                        NumericSOURCE: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program**Athletes and sports competitors**
			27-2021
			14,000
			15,200
			9
			1,300
			Get data
 State & Area Data **Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)** The Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program produces employment and wage estimates annually for over 800 occupations. These estimates are available for the nation as a whole, for individual states, and for metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas. The link(s) below go to OES data maps for employment and wages by state and area. Athletes and sports competitors **Projections Central** 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.com. Information on this site allows projected employment growth for an occupation to be compared among states or to be compared within one state. In addition, states may produce projections for areas; there are links to each state’s websites where these data may be retrieved. **CareerOneStop** 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. There is also a salary info tool to search for wages by zip code.
 Similar Occupations This table shows a list of occupations with job duties that are similar to those of athletes and sports competitors. Occupation
                Job Duties
                ENTRY-LEVEL EDUCATION
                2023     MEDIAN PAY**Coaches and Scouts**
            Coaches teach amateur or professional athletes the skills they need to succeed at their sport. Scouts evaluate athletes as possible recruits.
            Bachelor's degree
            $45,910**Fitness Trainers and Instructors**
            Fitness trainers and instructors lead, instruct, and motivate individuals or groups in exercise activities.
            High school diploma or equivalent
            $46,480**Recreation Workers**
            Recreation workers design and lead activities to help people stay active, improve fitness, and have fun.
            High school diploma or equivalent
            $34,410**Umpires, Referees, and Other Sports Officials**
            Umpires, referees, and other sports officials preside over competitive athletic or sporting events to help maintain standards of play.
            High school diploma or equivalent
            $35,820
 Contacts for More Information
								
For more information about team and individual sports, visit
National Collegiate Athletic Association
National Council of Youth Sports
National Federation of State High School Associations
For more information related to individual sports, refer to the organization that represents the sport.

                                                
                                                        
                                                                                                    O*NET
                                        Athletes and Sports Competitors
 Suggested citation: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S.  Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Athletes and Sports Competitors, 
        	 at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/entertainment-and-sports/athletes-and-sports-competitors.htm (visited *May 21, 2024*).
 **Last Modified Date:**
                        Wednesday, April 17, 2024


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