Athletes and Sports Competitors Career, Salary and Skills
Athletes and Sports Competitors have a BLS-reported national median annual wage of $66,710 based on the 2025 OEWS dataset, with reported national employment of 15,070. Wage data is published for 40 locations.
Occupation description
Compete in athletic events.
O*NET code
27-2021.00
Job zone
2
Typical education
Less than a High School Diploma
Experience
Over 4 years, up to and including 6 years
National salary and employment
Median annual
$66,710
Hourly median
Not published
Employment
15,070
Data year
2025
National salary distribution
$26,500
10th
$36,790
25th
$66,710
Median
$109,880
75th
$742,310
90th
Top skills
| Skill | Importance | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Speaking | 3.88 | 3.00 |
| Active Listening | 3.75 | 3.25 |
| Critical Thinking | 3.75 | 3.12 |
| Coordination | 3.62 | 3.75 |
| Monitoring | 3.25 | 3.00 |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 3.25 | 2.88 |
| Reading Comprehension | 3.12 | 3.00 |
| Social Perceptiveness | 3.12 | 3.00 |
| Active Learning | 3.00 | 3.00 |
| Persuasion | 3.00 | 2.50 |
Typical tasks
- Assess performance following athletic competition, identifying strengths and weaknesses and making adjustments to improve future performance.
- Maintain equipment used in a particular sport.
- Attend scheduled practice or training sessions.
- Maintain optimum physical fitness levels by training regularly, following nutrition plans, or consulting with health professionals.
- Participate in athletic events or competitive sports, according to established rules and regulations.
- Exercise or practice under the direction of athletic trainers or professional coaches to develop skills, improve physical condition, or prepare for competitions.
- Receive instructions from coaches or other sports staff prior to events and discuss performance afterwards.
- Represent teams or professional sports clubs, performing such activities as meeting with members of the media, making speeches, or participating in charity events.
Technology
- Microsoft Office software
- Adobe Photoshop
- Email software
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Word
- Motion analysis software
- Oracle PeopleSoft
- Web browser software
- YouTube
Athletes and Sports Competitors salary by location
Areas with the highest reported employment for this occupation.
- Athletes and Sports Competitors Salary in TXMedian $80,510 · Employment 1,840
- Athletes and Sports Competitors Salary in FLMedian $78,610 · Employment 1,360
- Athletes and Sports Competitors Salary in AZMedian $50,090 · Employment 940
- Athletes and Sports Competitors Salary in Phoenix, AZMedian $50,070 · Employment 870
- Athletes and Sports Competitors Salary in GAMedian $77,530 · Employment 840
- Athletes and Sports Competitors Salary in CAMedian $79,040 · Employment 830
- Athletes and Sports Competitors Salary in MOMedian $172,700 · Employment 670
- Athletes and Sports Competitors Salary in OHMedian $39,040 · Employment 590
- Athletes and Sports Competitors Salary in New York, NYMedian $100,130 · Employment 560
- Athletes and Sports Competitors Salary in Houston, TXMedian $75,550 · Employment 510
- Athletes and Sports Competitors Salary in LAMedian $55,890 · Employment 440
- Athletes and Sports Competitors Salary in NJMedian $253,870 · Employment 390
Related careers
- Training and Development ManagersNational median $133,000
- Sports Medicine PhysiciansNational median $265,930
- Recreation WorkersNational median $36,560
- Career/Technical Education Teachers, Middle SchoolNational median $65,030
- Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service WorkersNational median $33,580
- Gambling ManagersNational median $93,220
- Fitness and Wellness CoordinatorsNational median $69,770
- Gambling and Sports Book Writers and RunnersNational median $34,980
Career and skills data: O*NET 31.0 (onetcenter.org). Salary and employment data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS, 2025 (bls.gov/oes). Figures are published survey estimates, not real-time market data.