8 Jobs in Sports (+ Tips for Career Success)

Working in the sports industry can be an exciting way to make a living, but many people don't realize that sports careers are open to professionals of all types—not only athletes. From health and medicine to marketing and journalism, numerous jobs in sports allow you to be part of the action without stepping onto the field. You might work behind the scenes or in front of a camera, but either way, you'll become an essential part of the team in your own right. 

Explore nine potential sports careers you can work towards and tips for starting your sports career.

8 jobs to consider if you love sports 

You love sports but can’t really run, throw, or catch a ball. You can still get a job in the sports industry and dedicate your professional life to your passion. From agents who ensure athletes get the best possible contracts to nutritionists who keep the team healthy and well-fed, you can find many professional options depending on your specific interests and background.  

Sports data analyst

Average annual base salary: $84,605 [1]

Job outlook (projected growth from 2023 to 2033): 36 percent (much faster than average) [2]

Requirements: Bachelor’s degree; knowledge of programming and visualization tools helpful

The need for data analysts across all industries is on the rise, including in the world of sports. Several professional sports leagues host hackathons each year, sometimes opening the door to job opportunities. As a sports data analyst, you'll keep track of data for a specific team, league, or athlete. You might use this data for entertainment purposes, such as compiling information for a program for fans or providing information for the team's announcers to use on the TV or radio. You might also use it to inform decisions like whether or not a team should trade for a particular player.  

You will likely need a bachelor's degree in a related field, knowledge of coding languages like Python or R, and knowledge of visualization tools like Tableau and PowerBI. You will also need a background in data analysis, statistics, and management and a solid understanding of sports. You'll also want to gain as much experience as possible before seeking your first job, though only some employers will require this. 

Coach

Average annual base salary: $55,292 [3]

Job outlook (projected growth from 2023 to 2033): 9 percent (much faster than average) [4]

Requirements: Requirements vary depending on the sport, athlete level, and coaching job. 

From Little League to the pros, you’ll find demand for coaches across all levels of all sports, but if you want to make a career of it, you'll probably want to aim for college or professional sports. As a coach, you'll teach athletes how to improve at a specific sport. You'll plan and conduct practices, strategize for upcoming games and matches, and potentially recruit players for your team. You'll need good leadership and communication skills, and you'll need to be okay with being in the public eye, especially if you coach at the collegiate or professional level. 

To begin as a coach, you must research the requirements based on the job and athletic level. For example, at the high school level, you'll probably also be a full-time teacher and coach a sport on the side. Depending on your background, you can teach sports-related courses, such as physical education, or something completely unrelated. You may also need a bachelor's degree at the college level, but experience playing or coaching a specific sport can also help you land a job.  

Physiotherapist

Average annual base salary: $80,681 [5]

Job outlook (projected growth from 2023 to 2033): 14 percent (much faster than average [6]

Requirements: Bachelor’s and Doctor of Physical Therapy degree

Becoming a physiotherapist or physical therapist requires extensive education and practice. The pay-off is a rewarding health care job that is in demand and pays competitively, as well as the potential to take your skills to the sports industry. To become a physiotherapist, you will likely need a bachelor's degree in health sciences or a related field, a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree, state licensure, residency completion, and certification in your state. 

Many physical therapists choose specialties, focusing on specific areas. For example, you might become a certified strength and conditioning specialist, an orthopedic-certified physical therapist, or a sports-certified specialist. 

In this role, you'll help athletes manage and improve injuries and health conditions that may impact their ability to play their sport. You might have your patients perform specific exercises, massage your patients, encourage lifestyle changes, manipulate the joints, or use stimulation devices.  

Sports marketing manager

Average annual base salary: $81,117 [7]

Job outlook (projected growth from 2023 to 2033): 8 percent (faster than average) [8]

Requirements: Bachelor’s degree typical; master’s may be helpful

Sports marketing managers promote brands, teams, athletes, and leagues to raise awareness and increase sales. You might work for a company that sells athletic gear, or you might work for a team and help sell tickets and merchandise, or simply work to generate interest in that team and its players. You might also help plan promotional events or create print and digital marketing campaigns.   

Some marketing managers may work for a specific athlete as part of their team. In this case, you'll help them secure deals and sponsorships and advise them on everything from public relations to negotiating contracts. 

To become a sports marketing manager, you will need a bachelor's degree in marketing, advertising, business, public relations, or a similar topic. While it's unnecessary, a master's degree and internship can help make you a more competitive candidate. As a sports marketing manager, you'll also need considerable human skills. These include analytical thinking, communication, creativity, and negotiation skills. 

Psychologist

Average annual base salary: $101,840 [9] 

Job outlook (projected growth from 2023 to 2033): 7 percent (faster than average) [10]

Requirements: Master’s or doctorate in sports psychology; state licensure and board certification may also be needed

As a sports psychologist, you'll help athletes overcome mental issues that may impact their ability to play their sport. That might range from helping someone overcome performance anxiety to supporting an athlete in overcoming the psychological effects of an injury to handling conflict resolution among teammates. You'll typically do this through counseling, exercises, and general lifestyle advice.  

Because sports psychology is a growing field, some schools may even offer concentrations in this area when you earn your degree. You'll also need patience, confidentiality, empathy, listening, and motivational skills.  

To become a psychologist, you’ll need a master's or doctorate in clinical, counseling, or sports psychology. You may also need state licensure if you want to become a clinical or counseling psychologist. While only some employers require it, board certification might help make you a more competitive candidate.  

Sports agent

Average annual base salary: $57,568 [11]

Job outlook (projected growth from 2023 to 2033): 9 percent (much faster than average) [4]

Requirements: Bachelor’s at a minimum; master’s or law degree may be helpful

Becoming a sports agent means dedicating your career to managing a professional athlete's affairs. You'll negotiate contracts, help them find sponsorships, and oversee aspects of an athlete's career, like public relations, marketing, and finances. You might also travel to high schools and colleges to meet with and recruit young athletes with bright futures. Essentially, you're in charge of helping athletes meet their goals throughout their careers.  

Getting a job as a sports agent can be competitive, but if you're good at your job, it can also be exciting and rewarding. You'll have a front-row seat in the professional sports world. 

To become a sports agent, a bachelor's degree in sports management or another field can be helpful. A master’s degree, law degree, or experience working in law can be beneficial. Some states require a license. You'll need tenacity, passion, communication, organization, and sales skills. Gaining as much sports or law experience as possible is essential before landing your first big job.  

Event manager

Average annual US salary: $63,803 [12]

Job outlook (projected growth from 2023 to 2033): 7 percent (much faster than average [13]

Requirements: Bachelor's degree plus experience

As a sports event manager, you'll plan and organize sports-related events and handle any challenges or problems that arise before or during the event. You could plan sporting events themselves, like games, matches, marathons, and meets, or you could plan related activities like awards ceremonies, fan activities, all-star games, and more.  

Some of your sports events manager duties might include negotiating contracts with vendors and venues, hiring and training staff, and working with the marketing team to promote various events. You'll also oversee event set-up and clean-up and ensure participants have lodging and transportation.  

To become an event manager, you will likely need a bachelor’s degree in marketing, hospitality, sports administration, event planning, public relations, or a similar subject; entry-level experience. People typically start in an entry-level position and work up to a sports event manager role. You'll need a strong knowledge of the sport you want to work in and other human skills, like communication, networking, negotiation, and logistics. 

Nutritionist

Average annual base salary: $64,562 [14]

Job outlook (projected growth from 2023 to 2033): 7 percent (faster than  average) [15]

Requirements: Bachelor’s degree typical; an advanced degree and certification may be helpful

Sports nutritionists help keep teams and athletes healthy through diet and lifestyle choices. You might offer general nutrition tips, help an athlete reach a body weight goal, or aid someone recovering from an injury. You'll work with that person and the rest of their health care team to devise a plan for optimal health, which requires you to stay on top of the latest scientific findings regarding nutrition and networks. Once you create a plan for a specific athlete or team, you'll monitor their progress to ensure they reach their ultimate goal.  

To get a job as a nutritionist, you’ll need a bachelor's degree in nutrition, kinesiology, or exercise science. A related advanced degree or certification may help set you apart from other candidates, or some employers may require it. Examples include earning the Certified Specialist in Sports Dietetics (CSSD) or becoming a registered dietitian with the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Your state may also have specific requirements. Nutritionists in the sports industry need a good understanding of biology and food science. However, you'll also need various human skills, like organization, teamwork, communication, and attention to detail.  

Read more: Your 2024 Guide to a Career in Sports Management

Tips for getting a job in sports

Jobs in sports can be exciting and rewarding, but they can be challenging to come by. Sure, you can earn a degree, but in many cases, you'll need to find a way to set yourself apart from other job candidates. The following offers a look at some ways you can do that:

Network

Sometimes, getting a job can depend on who you know. That's why networking is vital in the sports industry. Reach out to people who work in the sports industry on social media. Attend events that allow you to get to know the people hiring for specific leagues, teams, and athletes. 

Read more: 9 Networking Tips to Expand and Strengthen Your Network

Get an internship.

Internships aren't just a great way to gain experience—they also help you meet people and sometimes even become paying entry-level jobs. For example, to become a sports journalist, look for an internship with a local TV or radio station. Even if you don't land a job with the organization you interned with, it'll look great on your resume.  

Gain some entry-level work experience. 

Your ultimate goal may be becoming an events manager, but it’s rare to get this job right out of school. Do you want to work for a Major League Baseball team? Many people work up to this by starting with small college or minor league teams. No matter the area you want to work in, you'll need to gain some entry-level work experience and show you have what it takes to conquer bigger, more prominent roles. 

Participate in as many sports-related activities as possible (and add them to your resume).

No matter your job in the sports industry, you'll need to know about sports. For example, a physiotherapist must understand how an athlete moves during a game. A marketing manager needs to know who their team's fans are and why they cheer for them. A sports agent must understand why a particular athlete is a good fit for various teams and sponsorships. 

While working towards your sports career, do as much as you can to learn about that sport. Read. Listen to podcasts. Start a blog. Coach a kid's league or become a referee. Play the sport in high school or college if you can. Add any experience you have with the specific sport to your resume.  

Develop the human skills needed for sports jobs.

Technical skills, knowledge of the sport, and a degree are all great resources for getting a job in the sports industry, but no matter which you choose, you'll also need a specific set of human skills. Find out which ones you'll need for your field and focus on perfecting them. For example, a sports marketing manager must be creative. As a sports event manager, you must be organized and flexible.

Consider earning a certification or master's degree. 

While earning a master's degree or additional certification may not always be necessary to get jobs in sports. However, it can help you stand out from other candidates and provide credentials on your resume. 

Next steps

You don't have to be a professional athlete to work in the world of sports. By gaining experience and education, honing your human skills, and following your passion, you can find a way to turn that passion for sports into a career. 

Completing online courses related to your field is another option for making your resume stand out. On Coursera, you'll find numerous online classes offered by some of the top institutions in the world. Some options for anyone who wants to work in the sports industry include the Science of Exercise course from the University of Colorado Boulder, Sports Marketing offered by Northwestern, and the University of Florida’s course, The Science of Training Young Athletes.