Professional Athlete

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Work Tasks

• Play sports for money, i.e., football, baseball, hockey, basketball, golf, and wrestling
• Learn and follow game rules
• Train and practice hard all season
• Have contracts with teams or work as free agents; may travel often to other cities
• Work for sports teams and groups throughout the country
• Work with fitness equipment in a gym, and with their own personal equipment

Salary, Size & Growth

• $200,000 average per year ($96.25 per hour)
• A small occupation (12,700 workers in 2010)
• Expected to grow moderately (1.2% per year)

Education/Training

• Minimum for Entry: Overall knowledge and talent in the sport, plus experience in playing at all levels of participation
• Skills/Courses: Students begin learning sports in elementary or middle school and continue through high school and college. Students must have the desire and determination to work hard to become successful in their sport.