We used the latest data and insights to identify the highest paying jobs for sports science majors so that you can learn and earn more.
Are you a sports science major? Do you want to make money while doing what you love? Well, we’ve got some good news for you.
We have created a list of the highest-paying jobs for sports science majors. We hope this helps you find something that fits your interests and career goals.
Here are the highest-paying jobs in sports science:
Table of Contents
#10. Sports Facility Manager
How much do they get paid?
- Source: ZipRecruiter
- Low Range: $26,500 per year
- High Range: $43,000 per year
- Median Pay: $34,174 per year
What do they do?
Sports facility managers are responsible for running a variety of sports facilities, including arenas, stadiums, and gyms. They may also be tasked with managing groundskeepers and other staff members who work in these facilities.
The duties of a sports facility manager vary depending on the type of facility they manage, but some common responsibilities include:
- Hiring and training staff members
- Maintaining safety standards
- Developing budgets
- Monitoring ticket sales
- Promoting events through marketing campaigns
- Ensuring compliance with government regulations regarding noise levels
What degrees and skills are usually required?
A degree in business management, sports management, or a similar field is typically required for this position. Employers may also prefer candidates with experience managing a facility or working with people from various backgrounds and skill levels.
Who’s hiring for this job?
Many sports facilities, such as gyms and arenas, are hiring for this position. Other employers include amusement parks, stadiums, convention centers, and hotels.
What is the best way to get this job?
To land this position, you’ll typically need to apply through the company’s website. You can also network with people who work in the field and inquire about openings at their facilities.
Should you become a sports facility manager?
#9. Athletic Scout
How much do they get paid?
- Source: Payscale
- Low Range: $35,000 per year
- High Range: $121,000 per year
- Median Pay: $57,391 per year
What do they do?
A sports science major with a passion for athletics can become an athletic scout. These sports scouts work with professional teams to find new players and help them develop into better athletes.
They may also work with athletic trainers to analyze the performance of current players and make recommendations for improvements.
What degrees and skills are usually required?
The most common degree for this type of job is a bachelor’s degree in sports science, but a related field like kinesiology or exercise science can also be helpful. You can also get into this field with an undergraduate degree in marketing.
Employers prefer experienced and licensed athletic scouts. To become a licensed athletic scout, you must complete an approved training course and pass the licensing exam.
Who’s hiring for this job?
Athletic scouts work for professional teams and college sports programs. They may also find work with scouting services and sports publications.
What is the best way to get this job?
Athletic scouting is a small industry, so networking with other scouts and coaches is one of the best ways to get your foot in the door. You can also consider getting a job with a college sports program or professional team as an intern or assistant to a scout.
After working in the field for a few years, you may be able to land your own athletic scouting job.
Should you become an athletic scout?
#8. Chiropractor
How much do they get paid?
- Source: Payscale
- Low Range: $39,000 per year
- High Range: $105,000 per year
- Median Pay: $62,782 per year
What do they do?
One of the most popular alternative medicine approaches is chiropractic. Chiropractors are trained to diagnose, treat, and rehabilitate patients by manually manipulating spinal joints to improve mobility and decrease pain.
These professionals can help people with neck pain, back pain, and headaches.
What degrees and skills are usually required?
Most chiropractors have a doctor of chiropractic (DC) degree. To qualify for this degree, students must complete four years of undergraduate studies. Employers prefer licensed chiropractors, so students must also pass a state exam.
Who’s hiring for this job?
Many chiropractors work in private practice. They can also find jobs at hospitals, clinics, and health maintenance organizations (HMOs). Other employers include sports teams that treat injured athletes and manufacturers of chiropractic equipment.
What is the best way to get this job?
The first step is to complete a bachelor’s degree in biology, chemistry, or another science. Then, earn a doctor of chiropractic (DC) degree by completing an accredited program.
Once licensed, you can find employment through job boards, recruitment agencies, and classified ads.
You may also want to join a professional association for chiropractors. This can help you get a head start on your career and make connections with other professionals.
What’s it like to be a chiropractor?
#7. Recreational Therapist
How much do they get paid?
- Source: ZipRecruiter
- Low Range: $29,500 per year
- High Range: $112,000 per year
- Median Pay: $63,405 per year
What do they do?
Recreational therapists help people with a variety of disabilities and illnesses to enjoy their leisure time. This includes helping them participate in recreational activities that meet their personal interests, such as sports or art.
They work with patients with mental health issues, learning disabilities, and physical challenges such as amputations.
What degrees and skills are usually required?
A bachelor’s degree in recreational therapy is usually the minimum requirement for this job. However, you can get this job with any health-related degree. You will also need to have experience working with people who have disabilities.
Who’s hiring for this job?
Most hospitals and nursing homes are looking for recreational therapists. You can also find jobs in schools and community centers, where you can help people with mental health issues or physical disabilities.
What is the best way to get this job?
Most people get this job by earning a bachelor’s degree in recreation therapy and then becoming certified. You can also get experience as an intern in a hospital or nursing home. Once you’ve got the experience, you can apply for jobs and start your career.
What’s it like to be a recreational therapist?
#6. Sports Psychologist
How much do they get paid?
- Source: Payscale
- Low Range: $49,000 per year
- High Range: $101,000 per year
- Median Pay: $76,927 per year
What do they do?
A sports psychologist is a mental health professional who helps athletes improve their performance using psychological techniques. They help athletes deal with the pressures of competition and learn how to focus on their performance instead of results.
What degrees and skills are usually required?
To become a sports psychologist, you’ll need to earn at least a bachelor’s degree in psychology. Many sports psychologists also have master’s degrees or doctorates in the field. You should also have some experience working with athletes.
Who’s hiring for this job?
The sports psychology industry is made up of private practice psychologists who work with athletes and coaches.
You can also find jobs in hospitals, universities, and other settings. Their national average salary varies depending on where the job is located and how many years of experience they have.
What is the best way to get this job?
You can start by volunteering with your local high school or college teams. If you want to work with professional athletes, then you may need to attend graduate school and earn your doctorate degree in psychology.
How do you become a sports psychologist?
#5. Dietitian
How much do they get paid?
- Source: Glassdoor
- Low Range: $51,000 per year
- High Range: $121,000 per year
- Median Pay: $77,529 per year
What do they do?
Athletic dietitians are experts in nutrition and sports performance. They work with athletes to help them eat better, recover faster, and perform at their best.
What degrees and skills are usually required?
Dietitians need a bachelor’s degree with coursework in nutrition, food science, and biology. Some employers may require applicants to have at least 3 years of experience as an athletic dietitian. You must have a Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) license to practice in this field.
Who’s hiring for this job?
Athletic dietitians work in hospitals, clinics, and private practices. They may also be employed by professional sports teams or schools with exercise science programs.
What is the best way to get this job?
You can either get a bachelor’s degree in nutrition or pursue a graduate degree in sports nutrition. Most employers want applicants to have at least 3 years of experience as an athletic dietitian before applying for jobs.
Therefore, it’s ideal for gaining experience while getting your undergraduate degree. You can also get a job at a hospital or clinic, where you’ll work under the supervision of an athletic dietitian and learn more about the field.
What’s it like to be a dietitian?
#4. Wellness Director
How much do they get paid?
- Source: Glassdoor
- Low Range: $52,000 per year
- High Range: $131,000 per year
- Median Pay: $81,878 per year
What do they do?
A wellness director is responsible for designing and implementing fitness programs at their workplace or organization. They help employees get healthier and lower the risk of developing chronic diseases like heart disease and diabetes.
What degrees and skills are usually required?
Most wellness directors have a bachelor’s degree in exercise science, nutrition, or kinesiology is usually required. Some schools offer a bachelor’s degree in wellness management, but most students earn degrees in other areas of health and fitness.
Who’s hiring for this job?
A fitness club is the most common place to find a wellness director position. Other employers include hospitals, schools, and corporations with on-site health clubs.
What is the best way to get this job?
The best way to get a job as a wellness director is through networking and building relationships with others in the industry. You can also gain experience by volunteering at an existing wellness center or even starting a fitness business.
What’s it like to be a wellness director?
#3. Physical Therapist
How much do they get paid?
- Source: Salary.com
- Low Range: $81,946 per year
- High Range: $110,220 per year
- Median Pay: $95,701 per year
What do they do?
Physical therapists help patients recover from injuries and illnesses that affect their muscles, bones, and joints. They can assist people with mobility issues due to stroke or cancer, as well as those who have experienced accidents or surgeries.
What degrees and skills are usually required?
A physical therapist must have a graduate degree in physical therapy and be licensed in the state where they work. They must be proficient in manual therapy techniques, such as joint manipulations, exercises, and electrotherapy.
Who’s hiring for this job?
Physical therapists work in hospitals, outpatient clinics, private practices, and nursing homes. They also may be employed by schools or sports teams to help athletes recover from injuries.
What is the best way to get this job?
The best way to get a job as a physical therapist is by earning a degree from an accredited physical therapy program. Once you have a license, you can start applying for positions.
You can also look into jobs that offer physical therapy assistant training programs. This may provide you with the skills you need to get started in this field.
Should you become a physical therapist?
#2. Occupational Therapist
How much do they get paid?
- Source: Glassdoor
- Low Range: $60,000 per year
- High Range: $155,000 per year
- Median Pay: $95,966 per year
What do they do?
Occupational therapists help people with disabilities or injuries to regain as much independence as possible. They teach patients how to perform daily activities such as getting dressed and cooking.
What degrees and skills are usually required?
These healthcare professionals typically need a master’s degree in occupational therapy. They also have to earn state licensing and pass a national certification exam.
Who’s hiring for this job?
Hospitals, nursing homes, and home healthcare agencies are all good places to look for this job. You can also find positions at schools and colleges where students with disabilities may need occupational therapy.
What is the best way to get this job?
Once you meet the educational requirements, you can apply for an internship or volunteer at a local hospital.
Some hospitals will hire you as a full-time employee after your internship. You can also look for positions at community health organizations or even through a job board on the internet.
What’s it like to be an occupational therapist?
#1. Physician Assistant
How much do they get paid?
- Source: Glassdoor
- Low Range: $96,000 per year
- High Range: $267,000 per year
- Median Pay: $159,601 per year
What do they do?
Physician assistants, or PAs, are healthcare providers who work with doctors to diagnose and treat patients. In sports science, they are often responsible for providing medical care to players. As a PA, you may be called upon to evaluate an athlete’s injury or determine when it’s safe for them to return to play.
What degrees and skills are usually required?
To become a physician assistant, you’ll need to earn a four-year undergraduate degree and then complete a master’s program in PA studies. After accumulating the recommended working hours, you can take the national certification exam.
In addition to these educational requirements, it’s important that PAs have excellent communication skills and the ability to work well within a team environment.
Who’s hiring for this job?
Physician assistants are in demand across a wide range of medical fields, including emergency medicine, family practice, and sports medicine. They may work for hospitals, private practices, or clinics. Some PAs also choose to work in the military.
What is the best way to get this job?
The educational requirements for this job are relatively straightforward. You will need a bachelor’s degree followed by a master’s degree in a physician assistant-related program.
Once you are licensed, you may be able to find a job by submitting your resume and cover letter to hospitals, clinics, and private practices.
Should you become a physician assistant?
Conclusion
Now that you know what the most lucrative exercise science careers are for sports science majors, it’s time to get out there and start applying.
Other than the top 10 exercise science careers, you can also become an exercise physiologist or a recreation and sports director. Both positions are also well-paying and suitable for sports science graduates.
We hope this article about exercise science jobs has been useful in helping you figure out where to start after graduation. It should guide you toward a career path that will fulfill both your professional and personal needs.
Is taking a sports science major worth it or is it a worst of time
Well, that’s a tricky question. It depends on whether you’re the type of person who likes to score big or sit on the sidelines.
If you’re passionate about sports and want to understand the science behind athletic performance, then a sports science major might be just what you need to get ahead in the game. You’ll learn about the latest training techniques and research in sports medicine, as well as how to optimize performance and prevent injury.
On the other hand, if you’re not particularly interested in sports or the science behind them, then it might not be the best use of your time. It’s important to pursue a field that truly interests you and aligns with your career goals.
But, let’s be real here, life is too short to waste time on something that doesn’t make you happy. So, why not give it a try and see if it’s a touchdown or an own goal for you.