Careers in sports, wellness, and recreation

Occupations in the Sports, Wellness and Recreation career area relate to healthy lifestyle promotion, physical activity, and the management of and participation in athletic events.

Career pathways in this area include:

business operations related to sports
competitive sports
event planning and promotion
facilities management
fitness
health care
marketing and communications
youth programming

Job duties, work environments and schedules in this career area vary. Some positions are short-term and highly physical. Other positions are set in an office and resemble business positions in other career areas. It’s common for employers to hire workers to prepare for and facilitate all aspects of a single sports event or a season of games or matches.

People with athletic or fitness abilities are drawn to this career area. In addition to an interest in physical activity, job seekers need a range of skills and knowledge to succeed in this career area, including teamwork, critical thinking, versatility, time management, ethics, project management, and respect for diversity and equity.

Trends in sports, wellness, and recreation

Wellness careers

The destigmatization of mental health issues and centering of health and wellness has led to increased demand for fitness training, nutrition counseling, and wellness coaching.

Tech products and services

Trends such as wearable fitness trackers, virtual reality workouts, and AI-powered coaching platforms are changing the roles and responsibilities of these occupations. Candidates with skills in data analysis and digital marketing can stand out to employers.

Cross disciplines

Opportunities in this career area sometimes require diverse skills or interests. For example, candidates with experience working with youth can apply for positions with youth sports leagues, at camps, schools, or other work settings with child interactions. Job seekers who speak multiple languages or an interest in international affairs can access opportunities in different counties.

Salary and career information

These are samples of some of the positions CEHD graduates enter. Find out more about these and occupations.

Adapted Physical Activity Specialist

Adapted Physical Education Teacher | DAPE Specialist (Developmental Adapted Physical Education Specialist)

Education requirements: Master’s + license
Median wage: $63,950

Agent

Education requirements: Bachelor’s + some work experience
Median wage: $82,530

Athletic Trainer

Athletic Instructor | Personal Trainer

Education requirements: Master’s
Median wage: $57,930

Business Manager

Education requirements: Bachelor’s + 5 years work experience
Median wage: $98,100

Coach

Scout | Assistant Coach

Education requirements: Bachelor’s + some work experience
Median wage: $45,910

Community Health Outreach Worker

Community Health Program Coordinator | Community Health Promoter

Education requirements: Bachelor’s
Median wage: $48,200

Dietitian

Clinical Dietician | Nutritionist | Registered Dietician

Education requirements: Master’s
Median wage: $66,450

Event Planner

Catering Director | Conference Planner | Conference Services Manager | Convention Services Director | Special Events Coordinator

Education requirements: Bachelor’s
Median wage: $40,030

Exercise Physiologists

Clinical Exercise Physiologist | Exercise Scientist | Weight Management Consultant

Education requirements: Master’s
Median wage: $51,350

Fitness and Wellness Coordinator

Fitness Center Manager | Fitness Director | Wellness and Coaching Manager | Wellness Programs Director

Education requirements: Master’s
Median wage: $57,570

Health and Physical Education Professor

Adjunct Professor | Instructor | Kinesiology Professor

Education requirements: PhD
Median wage: $75,770

Health Education Specialist

Community Health Consultant | Health Education Coordinator | Health Promotion Specialist | Public Health Educator

Education requirements: Bachelor’s
Median wage: $62,860

Marketing Specialist

Market Analysts | Communications Specialist | Market Research Analyst | Market Researcher

Education requirements: Bachelor’s
Median wage: $68,230

Public Relations Specialist

Education requirements: Bachelor’s
Median wage: $67,440

Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Physician

Pain Management Physician | Pediatric Physiatrist | Rehabilitation Physician

Education requirements: Professional degree
Median wage: $223,410

Recreation Therapist

Education requirements: Bachelor’s
Median wage: $51,330

Physical Therapist

Acute Care PT | Doctor of Physical Therapy | Home Care Physical Therapist (Home Care PT) | Registered Physical Therapist

Education requirements: Professional degree
Median wage: $97,720

Sports Medicine Physician

Athletic Team Physician | Nonsurgical Primary Care Sports Medicine Physician | Orthopedic Team Physician

Education requirements: Professional degree
Median wage: $223,410

Data notes

Minnesota data shown, unless otherwise noted.
Education Requirements = Degree, credential or training needed to enter the occupation. National standard used; Minnesota employers might have different requirements.
Work Settings = Environment where work is performed. Represents types of employers most often employ this occupation.
25% Wage = Representative of an entry-level wage for workers with less than four years’ experience in the occupation. The point at which 75% of workers earn more and 25% of workers earn less.
Median Wage = Represents typical salary for workers with at least five years of experience in this occupation. Half of all workers in this occupation earn less, the other half earn more.
Data Sources (retrieved April 2024): CareerOneStop | O*NET | Occupational Outlook Handbook | DEED Career & Education Explorer

Explore academic programs

Use our program selector tool to identify a degree program that can lead you to a career in your desired field.

Career trajectories of CEHD alumni

DEED’s Graduate Employment Outcomes in Minnesota tool shows data on University of Minnesota alumni who are working in Minnesota. Academic program names are a compost of related programs in Minnesota colleges; the wage data is specific to UMN graduates.

Undergraduate programs

Hourly Median Wage Trend for 2016 Graduates (updated through 2022) of Bachelor’s degrees from the University of Minnesota Twin Cities Campus

Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Studies

Wages in 2017 (1 year after graduation): $18.66
Wages in 2020: $23.97

Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness

Wages in 2017 (1 year after graduation): $19.23
Wages in 2020: $28.97

Graduate programs

Hourly Median Wage Trend for 2016 Graduates (updated through 2022) of Graduate degrees/certificates from the University of Minnesota Twin Cities Campus