Athletes and sports competitors

Athletes, coaches, umpires, and related workers held about 212,000 jobs in 2004. Coaches and scouts held 178,000 jobs; athletes, 17,000; and umpires, referees, and other sports officials, 16,000. Nearly 37 percent of athletes, coaches, umpires, and related workers worked part time, while 20 percent maintained variable schedules. Many sports officials and coaches receive such small and irregular payments for their services— occasional officiating at club games, for example—that they may not consider themselves employed in these occupations, even part time.

Among those employed in wage and salary jobs, 30 percent held jobs in private educational services. About 15 percent worked in amusement, gambling, and recreation industries, including golf and tennis clubs, gymnasiums, health clubs, judo and karate schools, riding stables, swim clubs, and other sports and recreation facilities. Another 9 percent worked in the spectator sports industry.

About 1 out of 4 workers in this occupation was self-employed, earning prize money or fees for lessons, scouting, or officiating assignments. Many other coaches and sports officials, although technically not self-employed, have such irregular or tenuous working arrangements that their working conditions resemble those of self-employment.

Median annual earnings of athletes were $48,310 in May 2004. However, the highest paid professional athletes earn much more.

Median annual earnings of umpires and related workers were $21,260 in May 2004. The middle 50 percent earned between $16,870 and $31,390. The lowest paid 10 percent earned less than $14,160, and the highest paid 10 percent earned more than $44,140.

In May 2004, median annual earnings of coaches and scouts were $26,350. The middle 50 percent earned between $17,230 and $40,460. The lowest paid 10 percent earned less than $13,320, and the highest paid 10 percent earned more than $57,800. However, the highest paid professional coaches earn much more. Median annual earnings in the industries employing the largest numbers of coaches and scouts in May 2004 are shown below:

Earnings vary by level of education, certification, and geographic region. Some instructors and coaches are paid a salary, while others may be paid by the hour, per session, or based on the number of participants.

(from the Occupational Outlook Handbook: Athletes, Coaches, Umpires, and Related Workers)

See more recent statistics for employed workers below.