Ranked list · 48 careers

48 Sports Jobs, Ranked by Fit and Pay (2026)

Private Club General Manager tops this list at $105,770 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025), with +5.0% projected employment change over 2025–2035. Below are 48 careers that meet the criteria, each with its real median wage, outlook and entry requirement.

Careers on this list: 48From 1,731 in the bank
Median pay on the list: $71,160BLS OEWS, May 2025
Projected to grow: 45 of 48BLS EP, 2025–2035
Openings a year: 1,324,300Combined, BLS EP

Method

How we built this list

Careers on the field and behind it: coaching, officiating, sports medicine, scouting, athlete representation, analytics and the people who run venues and teams. Careers centred on this field come first, then the ones that touch it, each group ranked by national median pay from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics. Specialty careers, which BLS reports inside a broader occupation, show that occupation’s figures and are labelled on their pages.
Occupations with no BLS wage or projection data are excluded rather than estimated.
The list is regenerated from source data on every bank refresh. It is not hand-picked and no editorial ranking is applied.

The list

The top 48 sports jobs

100% of these careers already have a full profile page; the rest publish with the next tranche and show the same bank data here in the meantime.

1
1. Private Club General Manager
Specialty within general and operations manager
Median pay
$257,500typical, CMAA Compensation and Benefits Report 2024 (as summarized by club industry recruiters)
Growth
+5.0%
Openings / yr
285,000
Education
Bachelor's
Runs a member-owned country, golf, city, or yacht club, overseeing food and beverage, golf and recreation, facilities, staff, and finances for the board.
2
2. College Athletic Director
Specialty within education administrator, postsecondary
Median pay
$104,590median (parent occupation)
Growth
+1.8%
Openings / yr
14,500
Education
Master's
Leads a college or university athletics department, overseeing coaches, budgets, facilities, compliance, and fundraising across every varsity sport.
3
3. Sports Equipment Engineer
Specialty within mechanical engineer
Median pay
$104,110median (parent occupation)
Growth
+11.2%
Openings / yr
17,800
Education
Bachelor's
Designs and tests sporting goods such as helmets, golf clubs, shoes, and bikes, using mechanical engineering to improve performance and safety.
4
4. Sports Data Analyst
Specialty within operations research analyst
Median pay
$88,940median (parent occupation)
Growth
+11.9%
Openings / yr
7,500
Education
Bachelor's
Uses tracking data, statistics, and models to help teams, leagues, and media make decisions about players, strategy, and fans.
5
5. Agent and Business Manager of Artists, Performers, and Athletes
Business and Financial Operations
Median pay
$82,890median a year
Growth
+9.7%
Openings / yr
2,400
Education
Bachelor's
Represent and promote artists, performers, and athletes in dealings with current or prospective employers.
6
6. Sports Agent
Specialty within agent and business manager of artists, performers, and athletes
Median pay
$82,890median (parent occupation)
Growth
+9.7%
Openings / yr
2,400
Education
Bachelor's
Represents professional and college athletes in contract negotiations, endorsement deals, and career decisions, earning a commission on the deals they close.
7
7. Ski Area Operations Manager
Specialty within entertainment and recreation manager, except gambling
Median pay
$79,520median (parent occupation)
Growth
+6.0%
Openings / yr
5,100
Education
Bachelor's
Oversees the lifts, snowmaking, grooming, ski patrol, and terrain operations that keep a ski area open and running safely.
8
8. Stadium Operations Manager
Specialty within entertainment and recreation manager, except gambling
Median pay
$79,520median (parent occupation)
Growth
+6.0%
Openings / yr
5,100
Education
Bachelor's
Runs the day-to-day and game-day operations of a stadium or arena, from crowd management and security to cleaning, staffing, and event changeovers.
9
9. Ticket Operations Manager
Specialty within entertainment and recreation manager, except gambling
Median pay
$79,520median (parent occupation)
Growth
+6.0%
Openings / yr
5,100
Education
Bachelor's
Runs the ticketing systems, box office, and seating inventory for a team, venue, or event, from season tickets to game-day entry.
10
10. Brand Partnerships Manager
Specialty within market research analyst and marketing specialist
Median pay
$78,760median (parent occupation)
Growth
+7.0%
Openings / yr
82,000
Education
Bachelor's
Builds deals between brands, such as co-branded products, sponsorships and joint campaigns, that reach new customers for both partners.
11
11. Sports Marketing Manager
Specialty within market research analyst and marketing specialist
Median pay
$78,760median (parent occupation)
Growth
+7.0%
Openings / yr
82,000
Education
Bachelor's
Plans the campaigns, promotions, and sponsorships that sell tickets and build fan loyalty for teams, leagues, events, and sports brands.
12
12. Recreation and Fitness Studies Teacher, Postsecondary
Educational Instruction and Library
Median pay
$77,270median a year
Growth
+2.2%
Openings / yr
1,000
Education
Doctorate
Teach courses pertaining to recreation, leisure, and fitness studies, including exercise physiology and facilities management.
13
13. Sports Dietitian
Specialty within dietitian
Median pay
$76,400median (parent occupation)
Growth
+7.7%
Openings / yr
5,700
Education
Master's
A registered dietitian who plans nutrition, hydration, and recovery strategies for athletes and active people to support training and performance.
14
14. NIL Director
Specialty within fundraiser
Median pay
$72,550median (parent occupation)
Growth
+5.5%
Openings / yr
10,000
Education
Bachelor's
Helps college athletes earn money from their name, image and likeness by running deals, compliance and fundraising for an athletic department or NIL collective.
15
15. Fitness and Wellness Coordinator
Management
Median pay
$69,770median a year
Growth
+6.2%
Openings / yr
2,000
Education
High school
Manage or coordinate fitness and wellness programs and services.
16
16. Professional Athlete
Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media
Median pay
$66,710median a year
Growth
+5.5%
Openings / yr
2,200
Education
No formal credential
Compete in athletic events.
17
17. Sportsbook Trader
Specialty within first-line supervisor of gambling services workers
Median pay
$63,820median (parent occupation)
Growth
+3.5%
Openings / yr
2,600
Education
High school
Sets and adjusts the betting odds at a sportsbook, watching games and betting activity to balance risk and keep prices sharp.
18
18. Athletic Trainer
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical
Median pay
$62,520median a year
Growth
+12.7%
Openings / yr
2,400
Education
Master's
Evaluate and treat musculoskeletal injuries or illnesses.
19
19. Sports Information Director
Specialty within news analyst, reporter, and journalist
Median pay
$62,200median (parent occupation)
Growth
−5.9%
Openings / yr
3,400
Education
Bachelor's
Handles media relations, statistics, game notes, and storytelling for a college athletics department and its teams.
20
20. Sports Event Manager
Specialty within meeting, convention, and event planner
Median pay
$61,160median (parent occupation)
Growth
+5.8%
Openings / yr
16,800
Education
Bachelor's
Plans and runs tournaments, races, and championship events, from venue booking and permits to athlete registration and race-day logistics.
21
21. Sports Biomechanist
Specialty within exercise physiologist
Median pay
$59,460median (parent occupation)
Growth
+12.8%
Openings / yr
1,400
Education
Master's
Measures and analyzes how athletes move, using motion capture and force data to improve technique and reduce injury risk.
22
22. Sports Turf Manager
Specialty within first-line supervisor of landscaping, lawn service, and groundskeeping workers
Median pay
$58,430median (parent occupation)
Growth
+4.0%
Openings / yr
23,900
Education
High school
Manages the natural and synthetic playing surfaces of stadiums, college fields, and park complexes so they stay safe, consistent, and ready for play.
23
23. Trading Card Grader
Specialty within inspector, tester, sorter, sampler, and weigher
Median pay
$48,570median (parent occupation)
Growth
+2.5%
Openings / yr
66,700
Education
High school
Inspects sports and trading cards under magnification to authenticate them and assign a condition grade that sets their market value.
24
24. Athletic Equipment Manager
Specialty within first-line supervisor of entertainment and recreation workers, except gambling services
Median pay
$48,560median (parent occupation)
Growth
+5.3%
Openings / yr
10,600
Education
High school
Orders, fits, maintains, and transports the uniforms and protective gear that teams use in practice and competition.
25
25. Climbing Gym Manager
Specialty within first-line supervisor of entertainment and recreation workers, except gambling services
Median pay
$48,560median (parent occupation)
Growth
+5.3%
Openings / yr
10,600
Education
High school
Runs an indoor climbing or bouldering gym, managing staff, safety, route setting, programs, and the member experience.
26
26. Play-by-Play Announcer
Specialty within broadcast announcer and radio disc jockey
Median pay
$47,340median (parent occupation)
Growth
−7.6%
Openings / yr
2,000
Education
Bachelor's
Describes live games on television, radio, and streaming broadcasts, calling the action as it happens and telling the story of the game.
27
27. Coach and Scout
Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media
Median pay
$47,320median a year
Growth
+6.1%
Openings / yr
36,400
Education
Bachelor's
Instruct or coach groups or individuals in the fundamentals of sports for the primary purpose of competition.
28
28. College Basketball Head Coach
Specialty within coach and scout
Median pay
$3,600,000typical, USA TODAY NCAA Men's Basketball Coaches Salary Database 2025
Growth
+6.1%
Openings / yr
36,400
Education
Bachelor's
Leads a university men's basketball program, building the roster, directing assistant coaches, and coaching the team through the season and postseason.
29
29. College Football Assistant Coach
Specialty within coach and scout
Median pay
$285,000typical, USA TODAY NCAA Football Assistant Coaches Salary Database 2024
Growth
+6.1%
Openings / yr
36,400
Education
Bachelor's
Coaches one position group or unit for a university football program, teaching technique, building game plans, and recruiting players to the school.
30
30. College Football General Manager
Specialty within coach and scout
Median pay
$325,008typical, USA Today college football general manager salary database
Growth
+6.1%
Openings / yr
36,400
Education
Bachelor's
Runs roster building for a college football program, overseeing recruiting, transfer portal moves, player contracts and the revenue-sharing budget.
31
31. College Football Head Coach
Specialty within coach and scout
Median pay
$3,250,000typical, USA TODAY NCAA Football Coaches Salary Database 2025
Growth
+6.1%
Openings / yr
36,400
Education
Bachelor's
Leads a university football program, hiring and directing the coaching staff, building the roster, and answering for results on the field and in the classroom.
32
32. College Recruiting Coordinator
Specialty within coach and scout
Median pay
$47,320median (parent occupation)
Growth
+6.1%
Openings / yr
36,400
Education
Bachelor's
Organizes a college team's search for recruits and transfers, from evaluating prospects to planning campus visits under NCAA rules.
33
33. NFL Head Coach
Specialty within coach and scout
Median pay
$5,000,000typical, Front Office Sports (compiled from Sportico and Pro Football Reference), January 2026
Growth
+6.1%
Openings / yr
36,400
Education
Bachelor's
Leads a National Football League team's coaching staff, players, and game strategy, and answers to ownership for wins and losses.
34
34. Pickleball Professional
Specialty within coach and scout
Median pay
$47,320median (parent occupation)
Growth
+6.1%
Openings / yr
36,400
Education
Bachelor's
Teaches pickleball lessons and clinics and runs programs, leagues and tournaments at clubs, resorts and community facilities.
35
35. Sports Video Coordinator
Specialty within coach and scout
Median pay
$47,320median (parent occupation)
Growth
+6.1%
Openings / yr
36,400
Education
Bachelor's
Films practices and games, then breaks down and edits video so coaches and players can study their own play and their opponents.
36
36. Strength and Conditioning Coach
Specialty within coach and scout
Median pay
$47,320median (parent occupation)
Growth
+6.1%
Openings / yr
36,400
Education
Bachelor's
Designs and coaches the lifting, speed, and conditioning programs that make athletes stronger, faster, and more resistant to injury.
37
37. Tennis Professional
Specialty within coach and scout
Median pay
$47,320median (parent occupation)
Growth
+6.1%
Openings / yr
36,400
Education
Bachelor's
Teaches tennis lessons and clinics and often runs the tennis program at a club, resort, or public facility.
38
38. Women's College Basketball Head Coach
Specialty within coach and scout
Median pay
$712,000typical, USA TODAY NCAA Women's Basketball Coaches Salary Database 2023
Growth
+6.1%
Openings / yr
36,400
Education
Bachelor's
Leads a university women's basketball program, recruiting players, directing assistant coaches, and coaching the team through conference play and the NCAA tournament.
39
39. Exercise Trainer and Group Fitness Instructor
Personal Care and Service
Median pay
$47,160median a year
Growth
+7.3%
Openings / yr
68,000
Education
High school
Instruct or coach groups or individuals in exercise activities for the primary purpose of personal fitness.
40
40. Sports Photographer
Specialty within photographer
Median pay
$44,660median (parent occupation)
Growth
−0.7%
Openings / yr
10,700
Education
High school
Captures games, athletes, and events in still images for teams, news outlets, wire services, and brands.
41
41. Referee
Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media
Median pay
$40,710median a year
Growth
+5.2%
Openings / yr
4,300
Education
High school
Officiate at competitive athletic or sporting events.
42
42. Mountain Bike Guide
Specialty within travel guide
Median pay
$38,120median (parent occupation)
Growth
+6.3%
Openings / yr
11,900
Education
High school
Leads guided mountain bike rides and coaching sessions at bike parks, resorts, and on multi-day trail tours.
43
43. Ski Instructor
Specialty within recreation worker
Median pay
$36,560median (parent occupation)
Growth
+4.3%
Openings / yr
67,000
Education
High school
Teaches skiing or snowboarding to beginners, children, and experienced riders at ski resorts, through private and group lessons.
44
44. Gambling and Sports Book Writer and Runner
Personal Care and Service
Median pay
$34,980median a year
Growth
+1.8%
Openings / yr
1,400
Education
High school
Post information enabling patrons to wager on various races and sporting events.
45
45. Sports Medicine Physician
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical
Median pay
$265,930median a year
Growth
+3.4%
Openings / yr
9,400
Education
Doctorate
Diagnose, treat, and help prevent injuries that occur during sporting events, athletic training, and physical activities.
46
46. Race Engineer
Specialty within mechanical engineer
Median pay
$104,110median (parent occupation)
Growth
+11.2%
Openings / yr
17,800
Education
Bachelor's
Sets up race cars, analyzes on-track data and works with drivers to find speed within the rules of series like NASCAR, IndyCar and IMSA.
47
47. Pelvic Floor Physical Therapist
Specialty within physical therapist
Median pay
$102,760median (parent occupation)
Growth
+11.9%
Openings / yr
13,400
Education
Doctorate
A physical therapist who treats pelvic floor muscle problems behind incontinence, pelvic pain, and pregnancy-related conditions.
48
48. Physical Therapist
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical
Median pay
$102,760median a year
Growth
+11.9%
Openings / yr
13,400
Education
Doctorate
Assess, plan, organize, and participate in rehabilitative programs that improve mobility, relieve pain, increase strength, and improve or correct disabling conditions resulting from disease or injury.

Questions

Sports Jobs: FAQ

What is the top career on the sports jobs list?

Private Club General Manager leads the list with a median wage of $105,770 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025) and projected employment change of +5.0% over 2025–2035. Typical entry-level education is bachelor's.

How was this list put together?

Careers on the field and behind it: coaching, officiating, sports medicine, scouting, athlete representation, analytics and the people who run venues and teams. Careers centred on this field come first, then the ones that touch it, each group ranked by national median pay from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics. Specialty careers, which BLS reports inside a broader occupation, show that occupation’s figures and are labelled on their pages. Careers on the field and behind it: coaching, officiating, sports medicine, scouting, athlete representation, analytics and the people who run venues and teams. Careers centred on this field come first, then the ones that touch it, each group ranked by national median pay from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics. Specialty careers, which BLS reports inside a broader occupation, show that occupation’s figures and are labelled on their pages. Every figure comes from BLS OEWS May 2025, BLS Employment Projections 2025–2035 and O*NET 31.0 Database.

How much do sports jobs pay?

Across the 48 careers on this list the middle occupation pays $71,160 a year, from $34,980 at the bottom to $5,000,000 at the top (BLS OEWS May 2025 and the industry compensation sources cited on each career page). The median across all US occupations is $50,980.

How many of these careers can you enter without a degree?

15 of the 48 careers on this list have a typical entry requirement below an associate's degree: a high school diploma, a postsecondary certificate, or no formal credential (BLS Employment Projections, 2025–2035).