Do you have a passion for sports and science, and also want to pursue a career where you spend each day helping others? Sports medicine careers are where sports and science intersect, creating a fulfilling profession that’s diverse and rapidly growing.1
The paths for careers in sports medicine are numerous, including roles that focus on hands-on rehabilitation or advanced clinical practice.2, 3 Regardless of the route you choose, jobs in sports medicine concentrate on improving the well-being of others by helping them move a little more easily.
What is Sports Medicine?
Sports medicine is a specialized field of healthcare focused on injury prevention strategies (training programs, conditioning and ergonomic advice), diagnostic assessments (movement evaluations and imaging) and rehabilitation/recovery (physical therapy and treatment planning) related to physical activity and sports.4
In this way, sports medicine careers encompass all stages of injury: prevention, diagnosis and treatment. Professionals can address these issues using non-surgical methods, such as physical therapy and structured exercise programs, or through surgical interventions, typically carried out by orthopedic surgeons.5
Why Pursue a Career in Sports Medicine?
There are several reasons why someone chooses to pursue a sports medicine career.
First, jobs in sports medicine are in high demand.1 With more people participating in sports and fitness throughout their lives, there is a greater roster of individuals in need of injury prevention or, in case of injury, rehabilitation.6 Specifically, there has been an increase in participation in high school and collegiate sports programs, where competition and the pursuit of peak performance can increase the risk of injury.7
Beyond athletes, the population as a whole is also aging, which brings along age-associated risks that come from general physical activity.8 Additionally, as people age, they are more likely to have chronic conditions that can impact their activity levels. Sports medicine can help those who fall in either population, contributing to its growing demand.2 For those who pursue a sports medicine career, this high demand can translate to increased job opportunities.
A sports medicine career offers diverse work environments, and professionals in this field work in local schools and clinics, at hospitals or on professional sports teams.9
Jobs in sports medicine offer competitive salaries and pathways to advanced roles through further education, such as the EdD with a specialization in athletic training program at the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences (USAHS). Continuing education programs like this offer an opportunity to advance and challenge yourself.
Finally, those in sports medicine careers get to help patients recover, return to their sports or achieve their mobility goals.2,9 The work they do has a direct impact on their patient’s health and quality of life, which helps them clock out of work each day feeling satisfied by the impact they’ve made.
What Can You Do with a Sports Medicine Degree?
For those interested in a sports medicine job, the following are some of the potential professions.
Athletic Trainer9
- Primary duties: Works with athletes to prevent, diagnose and treat muscle and bone injuries.
- Degree Requirement: Typically a master’s, sometimes a bachelor’s
- Licensure: Certification through the Board of Certification for the Athletic Trainer (BOC)
- Average annual salary: $60,250
Sports Medicine Physician
- Primary duties: Diagnoses and treats injuries and conditions related to athletic activity, prescribes treatments and may perform minor procedures.5
- Degree Requirement: Doctor of Medicine (MD) or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) as well as a sports medicine fellowship5
- Licensure: Medical board certification
- Average annual salary: $192,66610
Physical Therapist2
- Primary duties: Helps individuals with injury or illness improve movement and manage pain.
- Degree Requirement: Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT)
- Licensure: Physical Therapy (PT) license, eligibility criteria varies by state
- Average annual salary: $101,020
Occupational Therapist11
- Primary duties: Uses occupations to help patients recover their daily functionality after injury or illness.
- Degree Requirement: Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT) or Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD)
- Licensure: NBCOT certification and state licensure
- Average annual salary: $98,340
Sports Psychologist
- Primary duties: Helps athletes with their mental performance, motivation and ability to cope with injuries.12
- Degree Requirement: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in psychology or a Doctor of Psychology (PsyD), with a sports psychology concentration13
- Licensure: State psychology license14
- Average annual salary: $80,16215
Exercise Physiologist16
- Primary duties: Designs fitness and exercise programs to help people improve their health.
- Degree Requirement: Bachelor’s degree in exercise physiology or a related field
- Certification: Licensure based on state requirements
- Average annual salary: $58,160
Orthopedic Surgeon
- Primary duties: Performs surgeries to prevent, diagnose and treat disorders of the bones, ligaments, joints, muscles and tendons.3
- Degree/Other Requirement: MD or DO, orthopedic surgery residency and fellowship
- Licensure: Medical licensure and optional board certification
- Average annual salary: $378,25017
Sports Medicine Nurse18
- Primary duties: Assists sports medicine physicians and provides care to injured athletes.
- Requires: Typically, a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) or sometimes an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or a diploma from an approved nursing program. Some pursue a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) with sports-related experience.
- Licensure: Registered Nurse (RN) license
- Average salary: $93,600
What Degree is Best for Sports Medicine?
For those interested in sports medicine careers, the diverse professional pathways prove there is variety in education and training.
Undergraduate Sports Medicine Major
In undergraduate studies, the best majors for sports medicine have a strong foundation in anatomy, physiology and biomechanics.2, 9 Some sports medicine majors include kinesiology, biology, exercise science or sports medicine.
Graduate-Level Sports Medicine Degrees
Some careers in sports medicine require a bachelor’s or master’s degree, while others may require advanced education through graduate-level programs.
Some graduate-level degrees needed for careers in sports medicine include:
- DPT: Required for pursuing a sports medicine career in physical therapy.
- MD or DO: Required for a career as a sports medicine physician or orthopedic surgeon.
- MOT: Required for a career as an occupational therapist.
- Master of Science in Athletic Training (MSAT): An advanced degree for those interested in becoming certified athletic trainers.
Program Length
The total length of education depends on the degree you pursue. Bachelor’s degrees typically take four years, and then any additional studies add onto this timeline.
At USAHS, our Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT) program is designed to be completed in 1.7 years (5 trimesters)*, while those pursuing a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree can expect it to take around 2.3 years (7 trimesters)*. For those interested in doctorate-level degrees, our Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) program is designed to be completed in as little as 2 years over 6 trimesters*, while the Doctor of Education (EdD) Athletic Training Specialization takes, on average, 4 years*.
Additional Licensure and Certification
In addition to sports medicine degrees, you may also need licensure and certifications, depending on the profession. Sports medicine careers often require continuing education to maintain credentials and stay current on sports medicine practices.19
Where Can You Work with a Sports Medicine Degree?
Degrees that apply to sports medicine can lead you to many work environments, including:9
- Clinical and educational settings: Hospitals, outpatient clinics, rehab centers, high schools and universities
- Elite sports and fitness: Collegiate and professional sports teams, fitness centers and training facilities
- Corporate and community wellness: Workplace wellness programs, ergonomic counseling, nonprofit and public health outreach
- Academic and research roles: University teaching positions, research in injury prevention and human performance
- Private practice: Specialized sports rehab or performance clinics
Get Started on Your Sports Medicine Career Path with USAHS
Sports medicine is a growing and dynamic field with rewarding career opportunities. There are numerous sports medicine career paths available that appeal to different interests and education levels.
Interested in pursuing a career in sports medicine? USAHS offers advanced degrees relevant to sports medicine, like occupational therapy, physical therapy, and a Doctor of Education (EdD) program. Our hands-on learning and flexible formats increase accessibility to graduate programs, and our experienced faculty, clinical placements and simulation centers ensure that you are prepared for your career by graduation.
Request more information about our programs or start your application today to be one step closer to helping athletes and physically active individuals.
Sports Medicine FAQs
What are the highest-paying jobs in sports medicine?
The sports medicine careers with the highest salaries that we have reviewed are orthopedic surgeon ($378,250), sports medicine physician ($192,666), and physical therapist ($101,020).2,10,17
Is sports medicine a good career path?
Sports medicine is a high-demand field with strong growth potential, making it an attractive career choice.1
How long is sports medicine school?
Program length varies depending on the career path you pursue, but it may take anywhere from 4 to 14 years.3, 16
*Program designed to be completed in this time frame. Time to completion may vary by student, depending on individual progress, credits transferred and other factors.
Salary data may not reflect starting pay for recent graduates.
Sources
- “Sports Medicine Market Size, Share & Growth Report, 2030,” Grandview Research, 2023, https://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/sports-medicine-industry.
- “Physical Therapists,” Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2025, https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/physical-therapists.htm.
- “About Orthopaedists,” AAOS, 2025, https://www.aaos.org/about/what-is-an-orthopaedic-surgeon/.
- “AMSSM Sports Medicine Physician Scope of Practice,” AMSSM, 2025, https://www.amssm.org/PhyScopeOfPractice.php.
- “Sports Medicine FAQ,” AOASM, 2024, https://aoasm.org/sports-medicine-faq/.
- “NCAA student-athletes surpass 520,000, set new record,” NCAA, 2022, https://www.ncaa.org/news/2022/12/5/media-center-ncaa-student-athletes-surpass-520-000-set-new-record.aspx.
- Chrumka, A. and Guettler, J., “Sports Medicine Update: The Fallacy of Falling Behind: The Realities of Early Sports Specialization,” American Orthopedic Society for Sports Medicine (AOSSM), Fall 2024, https://www.sportsmed.org/membership/sports-medicine-update/fall-2024/the-fallacy-of-falling-behind-the-realities-of-early-sports-specialization.
- “Ageing: Global population,” WHO, 2025, https://www.who.int/news-room/questions-and-answers/item/population-ageing.
- “Athletic Trainers,” Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2025, https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/athletic-trainers.htm#tab-1.
- “Physician / Doctor, Sports Medicine,” Payscale, 2025, https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Physician_%2F_Doctor%2C_Sports_Medicine/Salary.
- “Occupational Therapists,” Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2025, https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/occupational-therapists.htm.
- “Sport Psychology,” APA, 2025, https://www.apa.org/ed/graduate/specialize/sports
- “A Career in Sport and Performance Psychology,” APA, 2025, https://www.apa.org/education-career/guide/subfields/performance/education-training.
- “Psychologists,” Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2025, https://www.bls.gov/ooh/life-physical-and-social-science/psychologists.htm#tab-4.
- “Sports Psychologist,” Payscale, 2025, https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Sports_Psychologist/Salary.
- “Exercise Physiologists,” Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2025, https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/exercise-physiologists.htm#tab-1.
- “Orthopedic Surgeons, Except Pediatric,” Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2023, https://www.bls.gov/oes/2023/may/oes291242.htm.
- “Registered Nurses,” Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2025, https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/registered-nurses.htm.
- “Education & Events,” AOSSM, 2025, https://www.sportsmed.org/education.
