Supporting Career Growth and Professional Well-Being
In addition to salary and benefits, the 2026 NATA Compensation and Workforce Study looked beyond the paycheck to gain insight into the professional challenges and career perceptions athletic trainers are facing today.
While 49% of survey respondents say they’re optimistic about their career prospects, work-life balance, workload, burnout and retention were cited as major challenges facing the profession over the next three to five years.
Together, the findings point to a broader conversation about what it takes to build a sustainable and fulfilling career in athletic training, a conversation NATA has and continues to engage in to ensure ATs are supported through every stage of their career.
Supporting Career Growth
In the 2023 NATA Salary Survey, 71% of respondents cited staffing shortages and 66% cited recruiting and/or retaining qualified professionals as major challenges facing the profession. The 2026 Workforce Study showed improvements to these sentiments with 59% of respondents citing staff shortages and 54% of respondents cited recruiting and/or retaining qualified professionals as a major challenge in the next three to five years.
While sentiment has improved, staffing, recruiting and retention remain top challenges facing the profession as indicated by respondents.
Because career support isn’t one-size-fits-all, NATA offers a variety of resources to help ATs meet their professional goals.
The mentorship and connection opportunities found through the NATA Mentor Match Program, Gather and networking events held during the NATA convention all help foster community among athletic trainers.
From a skills perspective, the NATA Leadership Institute equips athletic trainers to grow as leaders. NATA’s volunteer leader opportunities then allow ATs to further develop these skills in real time.
Building relationships not only nurtures camaraderie, it can lead to the development of new skills, pathways to new opportunities and strengthen one’s connection to the profession.
Supporting Professional Well-Being
Achieving or maintaining work-life balance was identified by 49% of survey takers as a major challenge facing the profession. This shows a need for support beyond professional growth.
ATs Care is NATA’s peer-to-peer support program, which helps ATs navigate the aftermath of a critical incident or other personal or professional challenging situation. ATs Care also provides resiliency-related resources.
From a research and understanding prospective, the Journal of Athletic Training and Journal of Athletic Training-Education and Practice have published numerous studies related to AT burnout, mental health and resiliency.
Supporting the Next Generation
Of the 8,167 athletic trainers who responded to the Workforce Study, 51% were age 35 or younger.
When asked, 64% of respondents 45 years old and younger said they had considered changing careers compared to 51% of survey takers older than 45, and 62% said they considered gaining further education in a different field compared to only 39%.
To address the concerns of ATs in the beginning stages of their career, NATA formed the NATA Early Professionals’ Committee, representing those in the first six years of initial certification, and NATA Career Advancement Committee, representing those seven to 12 years certified. Both committees have developed resources to help young athletic trainers develop soft skills and plan their careers. They also offer peer support and foster community through their social media channels and NATA convention activities.
In addition, NATA offers a variety of transition-to-practice resources for young ATs as well as employers, ensuring the unique needs of new professionals are met to encourage growth, community and belonging.
Looking at Career Success Differently
Career growth doesn't always mean earning more or moving into a higher position. It can mean finding meaningful opportunities, building relationships, developing as a leader and having the support to maintain well-being throughout a career.
Through its programs and initiatives, NATA is helping ATs grow, connect and thrive at every stage of their professional journeys. The goal isn't simply to help athletic trainers build better careers: It's to help them build careers they can sustain and find fulfillment in.
