Professional athlete
Also known as: tennis player, sportswoman, sports player, professional football player, snowboarder, aviation sport athlete
About this occupation
Professional athletes compete in sports and athletic events. They train on a regular basis and exercise with professional coaches and trainers. Building up the necessary skills needs natural talent as well as planning and endurance to get through the needed training programmes.
Essential skills and knowledge
- participate in sport events
- apply sport games rules
- assess performance in sport events
- manage sporting career
- work to develop physical ability to perform at the highest level in sport
- develop strong attitudes in sports
- implement relevant tactical skills to perform at the highest level in sport
- adapt lifestyle to perform at the highest level in sport
- implement relevant technical skills to perform at the highest level in sport
Typical tasks and preparation
From the related US occupation profile Athletes and Sports Competitors (O*NET 27-2021.00). Linked by an official crosswalk: related, not identical; details vary by country.
- 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.
- Typical education (US)
- Less than a High School Diploma
- Preparation
- Job Zone 2 of 5
- Interests
- Realistic, Enterprising, Social
Top skills: Speaking, Active Listening, Critical Thinking, Coordination, Monitoring, Judgment and Decision Making
US median pay: US$66,710 a year (2025), 15,070 employed. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Subjects this work relies on
How important each subject's knowledge is in the job itself, rated by people doing it (1 to 5).
- Business Studies or EntrepreneurshipO*NET: Administration and ManagementVery important (3.7)
- English or Literature in EnglishO*NET: English LanguageVery important (3.7)
- Media StudiesO*NET: Communications and MediaImportant (3.3)
- Mathematics or StatisticsO*NET: MathematicsImportant (3.1)
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Preparation needed
Job Zone 1-2: Very Little to Some Preparation Needed
- Most common education (US)
- Less than a High School Diploma
- Education
- Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
- Experience
- Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.
- Training
- Ranges from a few days to one year of on-the-job training.
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Related occupations
Occupations O*NET links to this one by similar work, skills and knowledge.
- Coaches and Scouts
- Umpires, Referees, and Other Sports Officials
- Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors
- Amusement and Recreation Attendants
- Athletic Trainers
- Training and Development Specialists
- Self-Enrichment Teachers
- Career/Technical Education Teachers, Secondary School
- Dancers
- Musicians and Singers
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.