Addressing the Athletic Trainer Shortage: Safeguarding Athletes and Revenue

The ongoing shortage of athletic trainers is not just a staffing issue; it’s a critical challenge impacting athlete health, team performance, and institutional revenue. From reduced athlete performance due to insufficient care to losses in revenue and diminished team success, the ripple effects of this shortage can jeopardize a team’s prosperity on the field and their physical and mental well-being off the field. While on the surface, the issue may be perceived as the limited availability of athletic trainers, the problem stems from a system that undervalues athletic trainers' roles and burdens them with disproportionate responsibilities. By addressing this pressing issue, institutions can protect both their athletes and their bottom line.

Hearing from Athletic Trainers

Athletic trainers are vital to ensuring athletes’ physical and mental health, yet their contributions are commonly underappreciated. Athletic trainers are often the first responders to both physical and psychological injuries, managing care from evaluation to recovery under physician direction¹. They play a central role in injury treatment, activity modifications, and mental health care coordination, often serving as the first point of contact for student-athletes¹. Athletic trainers address challenges like grief, relationship struggles, and social or economic pressures, maintaining essential communication throughout the care process¹.

A survey conducted by the National Athletic Trainers’ Association and the American College of Sports Medicine revealed numerous below-market conditions are at fault for the shortage². Feedback from 1,120 athletic trainers at all collegiate levels cited compensation, organizational culture, burnout, and increased work responsibility as the main factors contributing to this insufficiency².

These issues are apparent when observing how much is expected of athletic trainers with minimal support. The respondents said that more than 50% of athletic trainers were responsible for the care of more than 100 student-athletes and 65% were given more responsibilities without an increase in financial compensation². Add irregular hours and a year-round schedule for many athletic trainers into the equation, and it becomes clear why many athletic trainers struggle to find a work-life balance in the role and face burnout. With the care of so many athletes often delegated to one person, it is impossible to provide the meaningful care that these athletes deserve and that athletic trainers work so hard to give with the resources they are allocated.

As a result of these working conditions, athletic trainers are choosing to apply their skills in other fields such as occupational health, hospitals, and the military, that require similar education and work experience but offer significantly better pay and more predictable working hours². Research conducted by Dr. Matt Huml, Associate Professor at the University of Cincinnati, and Dr. Elizabeth Taylor, Assistant Professor at Temple University, found that from late 2019 to early 2022, turnover rates among athletic department staff were alarmingly high: 48% in Division I, 58.1% in Division II, and 43.7% in Division III³³. These figures far exceed the 27.75% seen in comparable industries³. During that same period, upper-level administration employees saw very low turnover rates, meaning those in lower-level positions, such as athletic trainers, likely saw much higher levels of turnover than the averages³.

In recent years, training requirements for athletic trainers have also increased⁴. A master’s degree, a comprehensive certification exam, and experience working in tandem with or under the guidance of a physician are all expected for those hoping to work in their field⁴. Despite the significant barriers to entry, the median pay for athletic trainers in 2022 was $53,840⁴. For aspiring athletic trainers who have dedicated countless years to their craft, other employment opportunities that provide suitable compensation are more appealing.

Impact on Athletes and Revenue

The athletic trainer shortage directly impacts athlete performance and, consequently, the revenue generated by school athletic departments. The increasing workload and numerous factors contributing to burnout make it increasingly difficult for athletic trainers to provide specialized care for each athlete. As the first point of contact in many teams, athletic trainers’ workload may inhibit them from spotting a player’s injury worsening or missing critical signs of a mental health issue, compromising athletes' well-being. Athletes can often sense when trainers are overwhelmed, leading them to avoid asking for additional support, such as extra rehabilitation or adjustments. This hesitation can slow their recovery and prevent them from competing or practicing in peak condition, ultimately affecting team performance and institutional success.

When poor physical or mental health goes unaddressed, player and team performance often suffer, and the financial consequences can be substantial. A struggling team may see fewer wins, which can reduce ticket sales and fan engagement. These challenges also risk damaging sponsorship deals and merchandise revenue. Moreover, declining success could lead to a drop in alumni donations and institutional support, creating a ripple effect that strains the resources of the entire athletic department.

Although investing more into salary issues may encourage more athletic trainers to continue working in collegiate sports, more must be done to alleviate the pressure on athletic trainers and provide sufficient treatment for athletes. This, in turn, would cultivate a healthier work environment for all those involved in an organization, allowing for a greater emphasis on the sport at play.

Onrise : Bridging the Gap in Athlete and Staff Support

Onrise addresses critical gaps in athlete support by focusing on mental health, a key area often overlooked in traditional athletic training programs. Here’s how Onrise can help institutions navigate the challenges posed by the athletic trainer shortage:

Reducing Burnout Among Existing Staff: Athletic trainers often face high levels of stress and burnout, exacerbated by understaffing. Onrise provides mental health resources that support not only athletes but also trainers themselves, fostering a healthier workplace environment.
Enhancing Athlete Well-Being: By offering specialized mental health services, Onrise ensures athletes receive comprehensive care. Improved mental health can accelerate recovery times, enhance focus, and elevate performance, contributing to overall team success.
Creating Healthier Team Cultures: Onrise works with coaches, administrators, and athletes to cultivate environments where mental and physical health are prioritized. This holistic approach helps prevent injuries and promotes long-term well-being, reducing institutional costs over time.

Resolving the athletic trainer shortage is essential to safeguarding athlete health, improving team performance, and sustaining institutional revenue. By recognizing the systemic issues leading to burnout and turnover—such as insufficient compensation, overwhelming workloads, and limited support—stakeholders can prioritize meaningful, actionable solutions.

At Onrise, our focus on mental health support for athletes and staff can help institutions reduce burnout and foster well-being through healthier team environments. Investing in these areas benefits athletes and helps institutions sustain competitive performance and financial stability.

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Author: Austin Mucchetti graduated from The Ohio State University with a dual degree in journalism and German and a minor in media production. He is passionate about sports journalism, particularly soccer. Austin has worked in Major League Soccer as a Communications Intern for Austin FC and covering the Columbus Crew for Massive Report, and as a Video Production Assistant for Big Ten Network.

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