What Types of Sports Medicine Careers Are There?
Key Takeaways
- The nurse practitioner field is the fastest growing career within sports medicine, projected to grow 46% from 2023-33, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
- Certifications and continuing education help keep you up to date with the latest best practices in sports medicine.
- Sports medicine professionals can work in places like athletic facilities, hospitals, colleges, and high schools.
Sports medicine blends athletics with the medical field, creating careers dedicated to helping athletes prevent and recover from injuries, enhance performance, and improve their overall well-being.
Some sports medicine professionals bring their expertise to the field, providing immediate assistance to athletes. Others help athletes and nonathletes regain strength and mobility. Many work in hospitals, addressing injuries in a clinical setting.
Expert Advice on Getting a Sports Medicine Career
No matter the setting, any sports medicine career starts with a good education — something Dr. Scott Rosner, owner of Weymouth Chiropractic and Wellness Center in Massachusetts and the medical director for the Boston 13s Rugby Team, emphasized.
Rosner also worked with the LPGA tour, USA gymnastics, Ringling Bros. Circus, the Beyoncé world tour, and the Taylor Swift Reputation tour.
“If you know that you absolutely want to pursue a career in sports medicine, then I suggest applying to schools with programs like exercise science and kinesiology,” Rosner said.
“Make sure to diversify the electives you take within those programs to learn as many techniques as you can. Every athlete is different, and the more choices you have in your treatment toolbag, the faster you can help them recover.”
Sports Medicine Careers by Education Level
There are many sports medicine careers to explore at each academic level, with some requiring different certifications on top of the degree. See which ones match the degree you’re looking to achieve, the types of populations you’ll be working with, and what you’ll be doing.
Career | Job Description | Salary | Career Outlook | Required Certifications |
---|---|---|---|---|
Athletic Trainer | Prevents, treats, and helps athletes recover from illness or injury | $60,250 | 13% Growth 2023-33 | The Board of Certification for the Athletic Trainer exam |
Coach | Leads a team, organizes practice, calls plays midgame, mentors, and strategizes against an opposing team | $45,920 | 9% Growth 2023-33 | N/A |
Exercise Physiologist | Develops and prescribes exercise regiments to improve strength or function and monitors results | $58,160 | 10% Growth 2023-33 | American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) Certified Exercise Physiologist (EP) certification exam |
Recreational Therapist | Uses recreation-based treatments like swimming, dance, and music to improve mental and physical health | $60,280 | 4% Growth 2023-33 | The National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification |
High School Teacher | Teaches educational subjects to high school students, grades assignments, and writes the curriculum | $64,580 | 1% Decline 2023-33 | Teaching license varying by state |
Career | Job Description | Salary | Career Outlook | Required Certifications |
---|---|---|---|---|
Occupational Therapist | Helps patients recover motion or function from injuries, illnesses, and disabilities | $98,340 | 11% Growth 2023-33 | National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy |
Physician Assistant | Examines and diagnoses patients, prescribes medicine, and treats patients with lower-risk injuries | $133,260 | 28% Growth 2023-33 | Physician Assistant National Certifying Examination (PANCE) |
Nurse Practitioner | Primary and specialty care providers responsible for improving and managing patient health | $129,210 | 46% Growth 2023-33 | The American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board (AANPCB), the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), or the Pediatric Nursing Certification Board (PNCB) |
Career | Job Description | Salary | Career Outlook | Required Certifications |
---|---|---|---|---|
Postsecondary Teacher | Teaches college and other postsecondary students and can include research in a specialized field | $83,980 | 8% Growth 2023-33 | N/A |
Physical Therapist | Rehabilitates injured or ill people’s movement and pain management. PTs work with patients on individualized plans and exercises for recovery. | $101,020 | 14% Growth 2023-33 | National Physical Therapy Examination administered by the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy |
Orthopedic Surgeon | Diagnoses, treats, and operates on conditions and injuries within the musculoskeletal system. | $365,060 | 4% Growth 2023-33 | M.D.: the U.S. Medical Licensing Examination D.O.: the Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensing Examination |
Team Physician | Diagnoses and treats athletic team members’ injuries and conditions | $253,470 | 4% Growth 2023-33 | M.D.: the U.S. Medical Licensing Examination D.O.: the Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensing Examination |
How to Advance Your Career in Sports Medicine
A formal college education can advance your sports medicine career, but it’s not the only way. You can earn professional certifications or complete other continuing education to sharpen your skills and expertise.
Certifications and/or Licensure
The American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) and the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) offer certifications that recognize sports medicine specialists for their experience, increasing their visibility to clients and employers.
Whether or not you need certification varies job by job. Some, such as athletic trainers and exercise physiologists, require certification while others, such as coaches, may not.
For instance, sports medicine physicians often need a certificate of added qualifications from the American Board of Family Medicine. Requirements for this certification include full-time training in an accredited fellowship program and a passing score on the Sports Medicine Certification exam.
Continuing Education
Getting an advanced degree can often lead to a better position and salary in sports medicine.
Aside from going back to college, certificate programs offered through professional organizations, such as ACSM and NASM, keep you up to date with the latest in sports medicine. One of ACSM’s continuing education and certification courses is a clinical exercise physiologist certification prep program.
NASM also offers free courses on topics like performance enhancement, nutrition, and corrective exercises. Other opportunities include fellowships such as the American Medical Society for Sports Medicine (AMSSM) fellowship with the national resident matching program.
“Each year, Massachusetts requires 12 hours of continuing education, and being a certified chiropractic sports physician requires these 12 hours to be in sports medicine. Most of my continuing education is from hands-on seminars that teach me a new technique or concept to help my patients,” Rosner said.
“I also subscribe to a number of medical journals and use keywords to discover new studies regarding spine and joint health and treatment of soft tissue injuries.”
Resources for Sports Medicine Majors
- American Academy of Podiatric Sports Medicine: Founded in 1970 by Dr. Robert Barnes, the AAPSM has more than 700 members dedicated to the field of podiatric sports medicine. The academy hosts student chapters, funds a fellowship, and supports research and education opportunities.
- American College of Sports Medicine: ACSM — with some 50,000 members that span 90 countries — promotes scientific research that elevates sports medicine. The association offers numerous certifications, including credentials to exercise physiologists and personal trainers. You can also access continuing education resources and journals.
- International Federation of Sports Medicine: Established in 1928, FIMS connects 125,000 sports physicians across 117 countries with the aim to advance education and scientific study. FIMS offers professional development courses, international meetings, and regional conferences.
- National Athletic Trainers’ Association: NATA began in 1950 to represent some of the earliest practitioners of sports medicine. Today the association has 45,000 members. Members receive up to 10 continuing education units at no extra cost and professional development opportunities.
- The American Journal of Sports Medicine: The American Journal of Sports Medicine is a peer-reviewed scientific journal that has been in publication since 1972. The journal is published 14 times a year and offers vital scientific information and resources for clinical sports medicine practitioners.
Frequently Asked Questions
Sports medicine can lead to a lot of different careers depending on the level of education you achieve and the population you want to work with.
If you want to enter the workforce with a bachelor’s degree as an athletic trainer or recreational therapist, both of those careers are projected to grow, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
Or, maybe you want to become a doctor who specializes in sports medicine and works with teams as their primary physician.
Meet the Expert

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.
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by Alison Plaut
Updated July 8, 2024