The median pay for Athletes and Sports Competitors is $66,710 a year, according to BLS OEWS, May 2025. Employment is projected to grow 5.5% through 2035, with about 2,200 openings a year (BLS EP, 2025–2035). Typical entry-level education: No formal educational credential.
- SOC 27-2021
- Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media
- Last updated October 9, 2026
At a glance
Professional Athlete in four numbers
- Median pay
- $66,710a yearBLS OEWS, May 2025Lowest 10% $27KTop 10% $742K
US median, all jobs: $50,980
- Projected growth
- +5.5%Faster than averageBLS EP, 2025–2035This career+5.5%All jobs+3.5%
Projected employment change, 2025–2035 Item Value This career +5.5% All jobs +3.5% - Openings a year
- 2,20022,900 jobs todayBLS EP, 2025–2035
- Jobs in 202522.9K
- Projected 203524.1K
Employment, 2025–2035 Item Value Jobs in 2025 22.9K Projected 2035 24.1K - Typical education
- No formal credentialneeded to enterBLS EP, 2025–2035; mix: O*NET
- Less than high school34.8%
- High school23.3%
- Certificate5.5%
- Some college3.3%
- Associate's8.7%
- Bachelor's24.5%
Highest education held by athletes and sports competitors Segment Value Less than high school 34.8% High school 23.3% Certificate 5.5% Some college 3.3% Associate's 8.7% Bachelor's 24.5%
Also advertised as: Baseball Pitcher, Baseball Player, Basketball Player, Golf Professional, Hockey Player, Major League Baseball Player.
Pay
How much do Athletes and Sports Competitors make?
Every professional athlete in the US, by percentile of annual wage
Median
$66,710
Middle half earn $36,790 to $109,880
- 10th
- $26,500
- 25th
- $36,790
- 75th
- $109,880
- 90th
- $742,310
All US occupations: $50,980
| Percentile | Value |
|---|---|
| 10th | $26,500 |
| 25th | $36,790 |
| Median | $66,710 |
| 75th | $109,880 |
| 90th | $742,310 |
| All US occupations | $50,980 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Median annual wage
- $66,710
- Median hourly wage
- N/A
- Mean annual wage
- $206,180
- People employed
- 15,070
Versus all US occupations
At $66,710, Athletes and Sports Competitors earn 31% above the $50,980 median across all US occupations, a difference of $15,730 a year.
Versus arts, design, entertainment, sports, and media occupations
The median is typical for the Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media group, where the middle occupation pays $68,060.
Pay range
The top 10% earn $742,310 or more while the bottom 10% earn $26,500, a gap of 28.0×. That is an unusually wide spread, which usually tracks specialisation, employer type and years of experience.
Rank in the bank
This median pays more than 41% of the 1,741 occupations in the NueCareer career bank.
Highest-paying state
New Jersey pays the most at $253,870, and still leads at $233,326 once local prices are taken into account.
Pay by state
Which states pay Athletes and Sports Competitors the most?
State medians come from the same OEWS release as the national figures. The cost-of-living column divides each state median by that state's BEA Regional Price Parity, restating pay in national-average dollars so a high-cost state and a low-cost one can be compared directly.
| State | Median | COL-adjusted | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1New Jersey | $253,870 | $233,326 | 390 |
| 2Missouri | $172,700 | $190,163 | 670 |
| 3Utah | $122,800 | $124,211 | 340 |
| 4Nevada | $119,780 | $119,805 | 160 |
| 5Texas | $80,510 | $82,951 | 1,840 |
| 6California | $79,040 | $71,387 | 830 |
| 7Florida | $78,610 | $76,015 | 1,360 |
| 8Georgia | $77,530 | $80,515 | 840 |
| 9Kansas | $63,630 | $70,647 | 170 |
| 10Kentucky | $63,020 | $69,899 | N/A |
Job outlook
Is Professional Athlete a growing career?
Employment change over 2025–2035, against every US occupation
Faster than average. +5.5% projected growth vs 3.5% for all occupations.
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Athletes and Sports Competitors | +5.5% |
| All US occupations | +3.5% |
Source: BLS EP, 2025–2035
Faster than average
BLS projects employment of Athletes and Sports Competitors to change 5.5% over 2025–2035, against 3.5% projected for all occupations. That is 1,300 more jobs.
Annual openings
About 2,200 openings are projected each year, 9.6% of the 22,900 jobs that existed in 2025. Most come from workers leaving the occupation, not from growth alone.
Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
As student athletes increasingly sign endorsements due to the Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) policy in college sports, the number of self-employed athletes and sports competitors is expected to grow.
Getting in
How to become a Professional Athlete
No formal educational credential is typically required to become an athlete or sports competitor. Athletes must have athletic talent and extensive knowledge of their sport. They typically get such knowledge through years of experience at lower levels of competition.
- 1
Typical entry-level education
No formal educational credential
- 2
Work experience in a related occupation
None
- 3
Typical on-the-job training
Long-term on-the-job training
- 4
Preparation needed (O*NET job zone)
Little or no preparation
BLS Employment Projections, 2025–2035; job zone from O*NET 31.0 Database.
What education people in the job have
O*NET incumbent survey: the highest level of education reported by people already working as athletes and sports competitors.
- Less than a High School Diploma34.8%
- Bachelor's Degree24.5%
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)23.3%
- Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree8.7%
- Post-Secondary Certificate5.5%
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Less than a High School Diploma | 34.8% |
| Bachelor's Degree | 24.5% |
| High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED) | 23.3% |
| Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree | 8.7% |
| Post-Secondary Certificate | 5.5% |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
The work
What does a Professional Athlete do?
Compete in athletic events.
Athletes and sports competitors participate in organized, officiated sporting events to entertain spectators.
Day-to-day tasks
- Maintain equipment used in a particular sport.
- Participate in athletic events or competitive sports, according to established rules and regulations.
- Assess performance following athletic competition, identifying strengths and weaknesses and making adjustments to improve future performance.
- Represent teams or professional sports clubs, performing such activities as meeting with members of the media, making speeches, or participating in charity events.
- Maintain optimum physical fitness levels by training regularly, following nutrition plans, or consulting with health professionals.
- Exercise or practice under the direction of athletic trainers or professional coaches to develop skills, improve physical condition, or prepare for competitions.
- Attend scheduled practice or training sessions.
- Receive instructions from coaches or other sports staff prior to events and discuss performance afterwards.
O*NET core tasks, ordered by reported importance.
Working conditions and hours
Athletes and sports competitors may work irregular schedules, including evenings, weekends, and holidays; part-time work is also common. During the sports season, they typically work more than 40 hours per week for several months as they practice, train, travel, and compete.
Where the work happens
Indoors, climate-controlled
NeverEvery dayOutdoors in all weather
NeverEvery dayOutdoors in all weather at least weekly.
Physical demands
Sitting
NeverAlmost all the timeStanding
NeverAlmost all the timeOn their feet more than half the working day.
Bending or twisting
NeverAlmost all the time
Working with people
Contact with other people
NoneConstantFace-to-face discussions
NeverEvery dayFace-to-face discussions every day.
Dealing with the public
Not importantExtremely important
Pressure and stakes
Strict deadlines
NeverEvery dayConflict situations
NeverEvery dayCost of a mistake
Not seriousExtremely serious
Autonomy
Freedom to decide
NoneA lotA lot of freedom to make decisions without checking first.
Schedules: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2025–2035 edition. Conditions: O*NET Work Context survey. Each item has its own scale, so each dot is read against the two answers that end its own line.
Where athletes and sports competitors work
Share of jobs by employer type
- Performing arts, spectator sports, and related industries65%
- Self-employed workers29%
- Amusement, gambling, and recreation industries5%
- Educational services; state and local1%
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Performing arts, spectator sports, and related industries | 65% |
| Self-employed workers | 29% |
| Amusement, gambling, and recreation industries | 5% |
| Educational services; state and local | 1% |
Source: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2025–2035 edition
Core skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Speaking3.9
- Active Listening3.8
- Critical Thinking3.8
- Monitoring3.3
- Reading Comprehension3.1
- Active Learning3.0
- Learning Strategies2.9
- Writing2.8
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Speaking | 3.9 |
| Active Listening | 3.8 |
| Critical Thinking | 3.8 |
| Monitoring | 3.3 |
| Reading Comprehension | 3.1 |
| Active Learning | 3.0 |
| Learning Strategies | 2.9 |
| Writing | 2.8 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Transferable skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Coordination3.6
- Judgment and Decision Making3.3
- Social Perceptiveness3.1
- Persuasion3.0
- Instructing3.0
- Complex Problem Solving3.0
- Time Management3.0
- Negotiation2.9
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Coordination | 3.6 |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 3.3 |
| Social Perceptiveness | 3.1 |
| Persuasion | 3.0 |
| Instructing | 3.0 |
| Complex Problem Solving | 3.0 |
| Time Management | 3.0 |
| Negotiation | 2.9 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Tools and software
- Enterprise resource planning ERP software · in demand
- Graphics or photo imaging software · in demand
- Office suite software · in demand
- Presentation software · in demand
- Spreadsheet software · in demand
- Web page creation and editing software · in demand
- Word processing software · in demand
- Analytical or scientific software
- Electronic mail software
- Instant messaging software
- Internet browser software
- Video creation and editing software
“In demand” marks an O*NET Employer-Based Hot Technology, software named in real job postings for this occupation.
Personality fit
What personality type suits a Professional Athlete?
O*NET Occupational Interests (RIASEC), scored 1 to 7
| Axis | Professional Athlete |
|---|---|
| Realistic | 5 |
| Investigative | 1 |
| Artistic | 2 |
| Social | 4 |
| Enterprising | 5 |
| Conventional | 3 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
What the work is built around
Day to day this is work built around hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors, combined with leading, persuading, selling and making decisions.
- Realistic5.2
- Enterprising4.5
- Social4.3
- Conventional3.0
- Artistic2.1
- Investigative1.4
Closest MBTI types
NueCareer fit scores: cosine similarity between each MBTI type's interest vector and this occupation's O*NET interest profile. Not a BLS or O*NET figure; the method is documented on our methodology page.
Explore further
Careers related to Professional Athlete
O*NET related occupations
- Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media
- Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media
- Personal Care and Service
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$47,160median a year
Most earn $29K to $83K
+7.3%High school - Personal Care and Service
Amusement and Recreation Attendant
$32,150median a year
Most earn $22K to $42K
+3.7%No formal credential - Healthcare Practitioners and Technical
- Business and Financial Operations
- Dancer · N/A median
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More arts, design, entertainment, sports, and media careers
Median annual pay, with athletes and sports competitors highlighted
- Art Director$114,850
- Technical Writer$90,390
- Editor$77,920
- Writer and Author$76,910
- Public Relations Specialist$74,750
- Interior Designer$67,190
- Professional Athlete$66,710
- Graphic Designer$62,960
- Photographer$44,660
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Art Director | $114,850 |
| Technical Writer | $90,390 |
| Editor | $77,920 |
| Writer and Author | $76,910 |
| Public Relations Specialist | $74,750 |
| Interior Designer | $67,190 |
| Professional Athlete | $66,710 |
| Graphic Designer | $62,960 |
| Photographer | $44,660 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
Lists Professional Athlete appears on
Questions
Professional Athlete: frequently asked questions
How much do Athletes and Sports Competitors make?
Athletes and Sports Competitors earn a median of $66,710 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025), 31% above the $50,980 US median across all occupations. The middle half earn between $36,790 and $109,880. The top 10% earn $742,310 or more.
Do you need a degree to become a Professional Athlete?
No. BLS lists no formal educational credential as the typical entry requirement for Athletes and Sports Competitors, and O*NET rates the preparation needed as little or no preparation. BLS also lists long-term on-the-job training as typical on-the-job training. In O*NET's survey of people already doing the job, 34.8% hold less than a high school diploma.
Is Professional Athlete a growing career?
Yes. Employment is projected to grow 5.5% over 2025–2035, faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations (BLS EP, 2025–2035). BLS still projects about 2,200 openings a year, mostly from workers retiring or moving to other work.
What does a Professional Athlete do?
Athletes and sports competitors participate in organized, officiated sporting events to entertain spectators. A core O*NET task: maintain equipment used in a particular sport. Employers most often ask for Enterprise resource planning ERP software, Graphics or photo imaging software, Office suite software.
Which states pay Athletes and Sports Competitors the most?
The highest state medians for Athletes and Sports Competitors are New Jersey ($253,870), Missouri ($172,700), Utah ($122,800) (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
What personality type suits a Professional Athlete?
O*NET scores Athletes and Sports Competitors highest on the Realistic, Enterprising and Social interest areas, so the work mixes hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors with leading, persuading, selling and making decisions. On NueCareer's MBTI-to-interest mapping the closest types are ESFJ, ESTJ. Personality is a fit signal, not a gate. The free NueCareer quiz scores your own profile against all 1,731 careers in the bank.