My friend, have I got some news for you. Coming from a guy who is passionate about the NFL, there is nothing more exciting to me than the behind the scenes workings of the organization. While I’m fascinated by the players, dunno what I’d do without the stellar crews of athletic trainers that keep our athletes in peak condition. So, how much do these amazing people make?
Well, it depends on a variety of factors, but generally athletic trainers working for the NFL make between $75,000 and $150,000 a year. Seasonal workers typically start at around $25 an hour. Now if you’ve got your sights set on the NFL, the job requires an applicant to have a four year degree in either athletic training, exercise science, or an allied healthcare field and two-plus years of experience in the field.
Jealous yet? Once you’ve been lucky enough to land a job in the NFL as a certified athletic trainer, you will be expected to travel with the team and provide constant care for the team’s players, including physicals, injury evaluations, treatment, taping, bracing, etc. Seven days a week, and weren’t even talking about the hours of practice, game-day preparation, and rehabilitation that comes along with the gig.
But if you’ve got what it takes, the rewards are steep. Corralling the skills necessary to obtain a job as an athletic trainer in the NFL means having an extensive knowledge base about injury prevention, nutrition, rehabilitation and exercise science, just to name a few. It’s a competitive job market.
On a typical day, the professional on-field trainer is responsible for providing the physicals teams will need to move forward in order to have a smoothly running season for their athletes. Trainers will devote their days to coordinating the needs of their team, from warm ups, to stretching, to practice and travel schedules. On the sidelines pre-game, they’ll check over players for injuries in a last-minute capacity. And of course, when the game’s over, it’s time for cleanup, getting the team ready for the next game.
As if the working hours weren’t enough, the pay is good, too, making this a dream job for professionals looking for the added benefit of stability, security, and there’s even a retirement plan to boot. But beyond the money, an on-field athletic trainer with the NFL is afforded the unique opportunity to be a part of history. Unlike a doctor or physical therapist, these professionals are on the ground level of the team, present at nearly every game, and have access to the inner circle of professional sports that very few people are granted. So, would I go for the job? Heck yeah, absolutely!
Athletic trainers in the NFL are responsible for monitoring the physical health of their team’s players on a regular basis, from comprehensive examinations to post-game checks. They must also be familiar with the team’s injuries and be able to provide comprehensive treatment plans for players when needed.
They have to know how to identify—and effectively treat—sports related injuries, and be familiar with rulebooks and policy changes. In addition, they must collaborate with other medical personnel to ensure the team remains in tip top shape.
A professional trainer is also responsible for ensuring the safety of the players, from stretching and warm up exercises, to checking on the equipment and athletic field conditions. They must also be able to assess the situation quickly, and make the best decisions in response.
Certified trainers with the NFL must be constantly prepared for the worst. They have to be able to perform emergency care at all times, and be able to come up with creative methods to help players who are dealing with injuries.
At the end of the day, NFL trainers are responsible for more than physical health. They must be able to emotionally invest in their players, too. They must act as counselors, teaching players how to cope with stress and how to stay focused in order to maintain their health and fitness.
To stay competitive in the field, trainers need to stay abreast of the latest trends in the industry. They must also have exemplary communication and interpersonal skills. This often means taking the time to build lasting relationships with players in order to fully understand their mental and physical needs.
Clearly, this job cuts far deeper than just providing physical and nutritional support for athletes. It takes emotional intelligence as well as physical skill and knowledge. So, what do these pros make? That’s anybody’s guess. But it’s no secret that it pays well—when you consider the lifestyle that comes with the paycheck, I can’t think of a better job, can you?