As an athletic trainer, I knew from the beginning that I was
not entering the profession for the money. An athletic trainer must love what
they do because of the long hours that are put into the job. However, when
comparing the profession to similar health care professions like physical
therapy and physical therapy assistant; it makes me wonder if athletic trainers
should get paid more for the hours that are put in and the educational
background that is required.
Athletic Trainers
Job Description:
Job Description:
The National Athletic Training Association (NATA) states
that athletic trainers provide services that include comprise prevention,
emergency care, clinical diagnosis, therapeutic intervention and rehabilitation
of injuries and medical conditions.
Education: Students who want to become certified athletic trainers must earn a degree from an accredited athletic training curriculum. According to NATA 70% of athletic trainers also have a master’s degree.
Hours: 40 plus work weeks and work on holidays
Average pay according to the Bureau of Labor Statistic: $41,600
Education: Students who want to become certified athletic trainers must earn a degree from an accredited athletic training curriculum. According to NATA 70% of athletic trainers also have a master’s degree.
Hours: 40 plus work weeks and work on holidays
Average pay according to the Bureau of Labor Statistic: $41,600
Physical Therapy Assistants
Job Description: Work under the direction of physical therapist. They help patients who are recovering from injuries, illnesses and surgeries regain movement and manage pain.
Education: Associate degree from an accredited program.
Hours: 40 hour work weeks
Average pay according to the Bureau of Labor Statistic: $49,690
Job Description: Work under the direction of physical therapist. They help patients who are recovering from injuries, illnesses and surgeries regain movement and manage pain.
Education: Associate degree from an accredited program.
Hours: 40 hour work weeks
Average pay according to the Bureau of Labor Statistic: $49,690
Physical Therapy
Job Description: Physical therapy as stated by the American Physical Therapy Association are health care professionals who diagnose and treat individuals of all ages, who have medical problems or other health-related conditions that limit their abilities to move and perform functional activities in their daily lives.
Education: Doctorate in Physical Therapy
Hours: 40 hour work weeks.
Average pay according to the Bureau of Labor Statistic: $76,310
Athletic trainers are rarely compensated for the amount of
time spent caring for their athletes. I believe that athletic trainers should receive
a pay increase because of the time they spend working and their educational background.
Here is a good example of how fellow athletic
trainer increased her salary after a year at her job.
I definitively agree with you. Athletic trainers deserve a salary increase for all those long hours that they put in every day, every week and throughout the year. It seems no fair to me that other related health-care professionals can make much more money and sometimes have an equal or lower educational background than ATs do. To me, it is not so much about the money but the respect that others have toward the AT profession and how valuable they really think the Athletic Training profession is. This is something that we, as Athletic Trainers, may be guilty of. We are usually content with how things are and don’t bother to even propose a change because somebody may get “mad” at us. But like Kira Au stated on her article “We have to go out there and turn the less desirable positions into better positions with better pay and improved working conditions”. We have to value ourselves before we can expect others to value us. We, ATs, have the education, merit, and power to change our profession if we all come together and really want to do so.
ReplyDeleteTake this advice from a Personal Trainer. I'd consider switching degree plans and becoming a PTA. The simple truth is Athletic Trainers don't get the respect that they rightly deserve, as far as pay goes. The focus is always put on the athletes and hardly ever the ones caring for them. In my opinion most athletic trainers are over looked as merely the, “Water Boys” for the teams. I even question the admiration shown by the coaches, and the players for the Athletics Trainers. Is it sufficient? If so, then why are they not, “going to bat,” figuratively speaking for Athletic Trainers? I have always had a high appreciation for the Athletic Trainers that have helped me recover for injuries and I think the industry needs to put their money where their mouth is and show it as well!
ReplyDeleteAthletic trainer is very well do his work on physical therapy and physical therapy assistant. This is really very help for sports players fitness.
ReplyDeletePhysical therapy for sports