Assistant Athletic Trainers: How to Become One
If you were to ask a group of assistant athletic trainers about how they arrived at their current job, there's a good chance you would get several different answers about the paths and steps that each person took.
That said, there are still ways that you can develop a baseline understanding of the preparation that is necessary to become one.
The Best Adult Colleges and Careers Guide has gathered data to provide you with insight into the type of education that's commonly required for assistant athletic trainers to land a job. This page contains information, sourced from real job postings, that describes the experience levels and specific skills that employers of assistant athletic trainers expect candidates to have. In the end, this information will help you create an education or professional development plan that aligns with your career aspirations.
Keep reading to learn more about career steps for assistant athletic trainers.
What Education & Experience is Needed for Assistant Athletic Trainers?
Do assistant athletic trainers need a degree? What kind of experience do assistant athletic trainers typically need? Thanks to data sourced from Lightcast™ from real job postings, we can get some clarity on those questions, as well as the level of education that is commonly required for assistant athletic trainers to secure jobs.
Education Level Required in Job Postings for Assistant Athletic Trainers
Jobs Postings for Assistant Athletic Trainers By Education
- Bachelor's degree: 11,057 (48%)
- Master's degree: 6,284 (27%)
- No Education Listed: 4,467 (19%)
- High School or GED: 887 (4%)
- Ph.D. or professional degree: 296 (1%)
A bachelor's degree is the level of education sought the most by employers of assistant athletic trainers. According to job data, a bachelor's degree was required for 48% of positions. In 27% of job listings a master's degree was required and in 19% of postings no education level was listed.
Experience Level Required in Job Postings for Assistant Athletic Trainers
Jobs Postings for Assistant Athletic Trainers By Experience
- 0-1 Years: 3,173 (43%)
- 2-3 Years: 3,337 (45%)
- 4-6 Years: 761 (10%)
- 7-9 Years: 55 (1%)
- 10+ Years: 31 (0%)
While the amount of required experience will vary based on the responsibility and seniority of the position, an aggregate view of job posting data can help paint a picture of the experience level sought for most job openings for assistant athletic trainers. In 45% of job postings for Assistant Athletic Trainers, employers were looking for candidates with 2-3 years of experience. In 43% of listings employers were looking for candidates with 0-1 years of experience, while 4-6 years of experience was sought in 10% of job postings for assistant athletic trainers.
What Kind of Degree Do Assistant Athletic Trainers Need?
So far this page has provided detail into the level of education and the amount of experience required in job openings for assistant athletic trainers, but what type of education or degree will help prepare you for a career in the field?
According to occupational data obtained through Lightcast,™ there are 7 key academic programs that can help prepare prospective assistant athletic trainers, and in 2023 a total of 53,213 of those programs were completed at institutions in the United States.
Check out the information below to learn more about the specific programs that should be considered by prospective assistant athletic trainers.
Top Degree Programs for Assistant Athletic Trainers
Top 5 Degree Programs for Assistant Athletic Trainers (2023)
| Program | Completions |
|---|---|
| Exercise Science and Kinesiology. | 32,323 |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness, General. | 12,748 |
| Athletic Training/Trainer. | 3,185 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions, Other. | 1,963 |
| Physical Fitness Technician. | 1,231 |
| Program | Completions |
|---|---|
| Exercise Science and Kinesiology. | 32,323 |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness, General. | 12,748 |
| Athletic Training/Trainer. | 3,185 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions, Other. | 1,963 |
| Physical Fitness Technician. | 1,231 |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness, Other. | 1,147 |
| Sports Studies. | 616 |
Top Online College For Working Adults
Franklin University is a top choice for adults who need to balance school with busy lives. Founded in 1902 in Columbus, Ohio, Franklin's main focus has been serving adult students and tailoring education to fit their needs. Nonprofit and accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (hlcommission.org/800.621.7440), Franklin offers more than 50 affordable bachelor's, master's, and doctoral programs — all available 100% online.
Degree Options for Assistant Athletic Trainers
Become an important part of the patient care experience and put yourself at the forefront of health and wellness with a broad-based healthcare education that prepares you for an entry-level role at a hospital, physician’s office, healthcare agency, and more.
- Class Type: 100% online
- Cost Per Credit: $398
The B.S. Exercise Science major provides a clear path to a rewarding career helping individuals realize their health and fitness goals. You’ll learn to evaluate fitness levels, design results-oriented exercise programs and apply coaching methodologies to help your clients reach their full potential.
- Class Type: 100% online
- Cost Per Credit: $398
Improve quality of life by removing barriers to healthcare, promoting wellness and reducing health disparities.
- Class Type: 100% online
- Cost Per Credit: $398
The B.S. in Sport Management major provides big-league career opportunities for sports-minded individuals with a head for business. You’ll learn how essential business concepts translate to the sports industry and open the door to a variety of roles.
- Class Type: 100% online
- Cost Per Credit: $398
- Accreditation: IACBE
Certificates & Microcredentials for Assistant Athletic Trainers
- Class Type: 100% Online
- Time To Complete: 3-4 months
- Cost: $4,000
What Skills Do Assistant Athletic Trainers Need?
Education and experience have been covered, so what are the specific skills and traits needed by assistant athletic trainers to secure a job?
A good way to understand this is to examine actual job postings for skills commonly sought by employers. Continue reading for a breakdown of specialized skills found in job postings for assistant athletic trainers, as well as common skills that can help you thrive in the workplace.
In-Demand Skills for Today's Assistant Athletic Trainers
Based on 17,330 job postings
Top 5 Specialized Skills for Assistant Athletic Trainers
| Skills | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Athletic Training | 14,304 | 83% |
| Rehabilitation | 9,014 | 52% |
| Sports Medicine | 6,706 | 39% |
| Injury Prevention | 3,862 | 22% |
| Sports Injuries | 3,729 | 22% |
Top 5 Common Skills for Assistant Athletic Trainers
| Skills | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Communication | 7,151 | 41% |
| Management | 4,008 | 23% |
| First Aid | 3,228 | 19% |
| Coaching | 2,982 | 17% |
| Operations | 2,297 | 13% |
Based on 17,330 job postings related to assistant athletic trainers, athletic training was the top specialized skill sought by employers, with 83% of all postings looking for that skillset. Skills for rehabilitation, sports medicine, injury prevention, sports injuries and orthopedics were also highly sought.
As for common skills, communication was the most desired skill found in job postings for assistant athletic trainers, followed by management, first aid, coaching, operations and interpersonal communications.
| Skill | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Athletic Training | 14,304 | 83% |
| Rehabilitation | 9,014 | 52% |
| Sports Medicine | 6,706 | 39% |
| Injury Prevention | 3,862 | 22% |
| Sports Injuries | 3,729 | 22% |
| Orthopedics | 2,792 | 16% |
| Physical Therapy | 2,463 | 14% |
| Medical Records | 2,435 | 14% |
| Treatment Planning | 2,273 | 13% |
| Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) | 2,222 | 13% |
| Emergency Medicine | 2,025 | 12% |
| Strength Training And Conditioning | 1,343 | 8% |
| Triage | 1,214 | 7% |
| Patient Education And Counseling | 1,097 | 6% |
| Electronic Medical Record | 1,083 | 6% |
| Urgent Care | 1,081 | 6% |
| Vital Signs | 1,062 | 6% |
| Splinting | 1,050 | 6% |
| Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) | 1,020 | 6% |
| Kinesiology | 1,016 | 6% |
| Skill | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Communication | 7,151 | 41% |
| Management | 4,008 | 23% |
| First Aid | 3,228 | 19% |
| Coaching | 2,982 | 17% |
| Operations | 2,297 | 13% |
| Interpersonal Communications | 2,208 | 13% |
| Scheduling | 1,997 | 12% |
| Coordinating | 1,941 | 11% |
| Customer Service | 1,875 | 11% |
| Lifting Ability | 1,511 | 9% |
| Leadership | 1,419 | 8% |
| Writing | 1,387 | 8% |
| Administrative Functions | 1,293 | 7% |
| Detail Oriented | 1,236 | 7% |
| Planning | 1,227 | 7% |
| Ethical Standards And Conduct | 1,201 | 7% |
| Verbal Communication Skills | 1,122 | 6% |
| Fine Motor Skills | 1,057 | 6% |
| Time Management | 1,007 | 6% |
| Teaching | 979 | 6% |
Additional Links
Ready to dig deeper into career information about assistant athletic trainers? Visit our other pages focused on salary and education for assistant athletic trainers.
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