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Sports Medicine Physicians

	Median Wage (USD, 2025)	Projected Job Openings (2025-2035)	Projected Growth (2025-2035)
National Statistics	$265930	9600	2.5%
State Statistics	-	-	-
City Statistics	-	-	-

Statistics

National

State

City

State

City

$265930

Median Wage (USD, 2025)

9600

Projected Job Openings (2025-2035)

2.5%

Projected Growth (2025-2035)

Diagnose, treat, and help prevent injuries that occur during sporting events, athletic training, and physical activities.

Experience Requirements Overview

Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed
Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.
Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).
Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training.

Education, Training and Experience

Required Level of Education: Doctoral Degree

Related Work Experience: Over 2 years, up to and including 4 years

On-Site or In-Plant Training: N.A.

On-the-Job Training: None or short demonstration

Detailed Work Activities

Select medical equipment for addressing patient needs.
Prepare medications or medical solutions.
Prepare medical supplies or equipment for use.
Advise athletes, coaches, or trainers on exercise regimens, nutrition, or equipment use.
Advise others on healthcare matters.
Evaluate patient functioning, capabilities, or health.
Maintain medical or professional knowledge.
Develop exercise or conditioning programs.
Prescribe treatments or therapies.
Advise patients on effects of health conditions or treatments.
Conduct research to increase knowledge about medical issues.
Examine patients to assess general physical condition.
Record patient medical histories.
Monitor patient progress or responses to treatments.
Supervise workers providing client or patient services.
Refer patients to other healthcare practitioners or health resources.
Explain medical procedures or test results to patients or family members.
Provide health and wellness advice to patients, program participants, or caregivers.
Prescribe assistive medical devices or related treatments.
Prescribe medications.
Analyze test data or images to inform diagnosis or treatment.
Order medical diagnostic or clinical tests.
Analyze patient data to determine patient needs or treatment goals.
Treat chronic diseases or disorders.
Develop emergency procedures.
Collaborate with healthcare professionals to plan or provide treatment.
Treat acute illnesses, infections, or injuries.
Diagnose medical conditions.

Work Values

Achievement

Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement.

Working Conditions

Recognition

Relationships

Support

Independence

Tasks

Diagnose or treat disorders of the musculoskeletal system.
Order and interpret the results of laboratory tests and diagnostic imaging procedures.
Record athletes' medical histories, and perform physical examinations.
Refer athletes for specialized consultation, physical therapy, or diagnostic testing.
Provide education and counseling on illness and injury prevention.
Advise against injured athletes returning to games or competition if resuming activity could lead to further injury.
Examine, evaluate and treat athletes who have been injured or who have medical problems such as exercise-induced asthma.
Record athletes' medical care information, and maintain medical records.
Examine and evaluate athletes prior to participation in sports activities to determine level of physical fitness or predisposition to injuries.
Prescribe medications for the treatment of athletic-related injuries.
Develop and test procedures for dealing with emergencies during practices or competitions.
Coordinate sports care activities with other experts, including specialty physicians and surgeons, athletic trainers, physical therapists, or coaches.
Observe and evaluate athletes' mental well-being.
Advise athletes, trainers, or coaches to alter or cease sports practices that are potentially harmful.
Evaluate and manage chronic pain conditions.
Attend games and competitions to provide evaluation and treatment of activity-related injuries or medical conditions.
Inform athletes about nutrition, hydration, dietary supplements, or uses and possible consequences of medication.
Inform coaches, trainers, or other interested parties regarding the medical conditions of athletes.
Advise coaches, trainers, or physical therapists on the proper use of exercises and other therapeutic techniques, and alert them to potentially dangerous practices.
Participate in continuing education activities to improve and maintain knowledge and skills.
Supervise the rehabilitation of injured athletes.
Prescribe orthotics, prosthetics, and adaptive equipment.
Select and prepare medical equipment or medications to be taken to athletic competition sites.
Conduct research in the prevention or treatment of injuries or medical conditions related to sports and exercise.
Advise athletes on ways that substances, such as herbal remedies, could affect drug testing results.
Develop and prescribe exercise programs, such as off-season conditioning regimens.
Provide coaches and therapists with assistance in selecting and fitting protective equipment.

Work Styles

Innovation

A tendency to be inventive, to be imaginative, and to adopt new perspectives on ways to accomplish work.

Achievement Orientation

Intellectual Curiosity

Tolerance for Ambiguity

Initiative

Adaptability

Self-Confidence

Perseverance

Leadership Orientation

Humility

Sincerity

Empathy

Cooperation

Optimism

Social Orientation

Cautiousness

Attention to Detail

Dependability

Integrity

Stress Tolerance

Self-Control

For more information on this career visit: https://explorehealthcareers.org/careers/sports-medicine/primary-care-sports-medicine-physician/

Data Source: 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. This page includes Employment Projections program, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

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