O*NET: Athletic Trainers·29-9091.00
The Verdict:Athletic training centers on hands-on injury assessment, taping, therapy, and rehab tailored to each athlete's body in real time. No robotics replicate physical manipulation across variable conditions. AI aids planning and records but core care demands human touch and clinical judgment. Certification barriers and rising sports participation secure the role long-term.
Score tiers
How much of this role's daily work remains beyond AI and robotic automation.
The degree to which this job needs a human present — hands-on, in the field, or in the room.
How important the unique human edge is — for trust, accountability, or judgment.
How strong the legal requirement is for a human in this job (by law, licensing, or credentials).
How far AI remains from performing this role's core functions.
The volume of jobs in this field being eliminated by AI or automation right now.
Median annual wage from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024 release.
Projected change in total number of jobs (not salary) from 2024–2034. Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections.
Percentage of this role's analyzed tasks that AI can handle autonomously or nearly so. 2 of 24 tasks are classified as AI-exposed.
This role's core work is hard to automate.
14 of 24 tasks require human judgment, presence, or trust. The 33% that are AI-leverage offer an edge — professionals who learn these tools will outperform those who don't.
Tasks AI can do autonomously or nearly so
Master these tools — humans who do outperform those who don't
Tasks requiring trust, presence, or novel judgment
Athletic Trainer lands in Stable, Lower Pay