Professional Athlete
O*NET 27-2099.91 · SOC 27-2099
Professional Athlete is a solid career choice. Median pay is $67k a year with +5.5% projected growth through 2035 (about as fast as average) and about 2,200 openings a year. AI exposure: Moderate.
Bureau of Labor Statistics projections 2025–2035 · Data updated 2026-07-27
What You'd Actually Do
- →Train daily to maintain peak physical conditioning and sport-specific skills
- →Compete in professional games, matches, or events at the highest level
- →Study game film and develop strategy with coaches and teammates
- →Manage nutrition, recovery, and injury prevention programs
- →Represent team and sponsors through media appearances and community events
Education & How to Get In
Professional Athlete roles typically require a high school diploma or equivalent, with most training happening on the job. This makes it one of the more accessible career paths — you can often start working while earning certifications or completing short-term training programs.
Get Started Learning
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Work Environment
Hands-on — labs, workshops, or field sites
Mixed — alternates between solo focused work and collaboration
A Day in the Life
While every role varies by employer and specialization, a typical day as a Professional Athlete involves a mix of core responsibilities:
Personality Fit (RIASEC)
Who Thrives as Professional Athlete?
Based on the interests and work style this role actually demands, these personality types tend to fit it best. Salary and growth tell you if a career is worth entering — personality fit tells you whether you'll still want it in five years.
Not sure which you are? Take the 7-minute quiz →
See Open Professional Athlete Roles
Browse live openings to get a feel for requirements and pay in your area.
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Job Outlook
Employment of Professional Athlete is projected to grow 5.5% from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as average for all occupations.
Will AI Replace This Job?
- ·33% social/interpersonal tasks — hard for AI to replace
- ·35% physical tasks — limited by robotics progress
Scored from the mix of routine, creative, physical and social tasks the role involves, adjusted for sector and projected growth. An estimate, not a forecast.
Common Questions
How much does a Professional Athlete make?
The median Professional Athlete earns $67k a year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics' May 2025 wage data. Half earn more than that and half earn less, and pay varies considerably by state, industry and experience.
Will AI replace Professional Athlete jobs?
Our model puts Professional Athlete at 34 out of 100 for automation exposure, which is moderate — likely AI-complementary. The main drivers: 33% social/interpersonal tasks — hard for AI to replace; 35% physical tasks — limited by robotics progress.
Is Professional Athlete a growing field?
Employment is projected to grow 5.5% between 2025 and 2035, which is about as fast as average. That works out to roughly 2,200 openings a year, counting both new positions and people leaving the occupation.
What degree do you need to be a Professional Athlete?
Most Professional Athlete roles need a high school diploma or equivalent, with training happening on the job. A degree is not the usual route in.
How long does it take to become a Professional Athlete?
Typically under a year, usually a high school diploma plus short training. O*NET classes this role as Job Zone 2 of 5, which describes how much preparation people in it usually have.
Is a Professional Athlete career right for you?
Your personality, values, and strengths matter as much as the job market. Take the quiz to see your personalized Future-Fit Score for this career and hundreds more.
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