Athletes and sports competitors
SOC Code: 27-2021
Athletes and sports competitors carries a 21% AI exposure score (Medium automation risk), with a median annual wage of $62,360 and +5.5% projected employment growth from 2024 to 2034 (BLS), affecting approximately 19,100 workers. Full task breakdown, skills, and employer data are below.
Proportion of tasks susceptible to AI automation (O*NET analysis)
At 21% AI exposure, Athletes and sports competitors sits 16 points below the 37.2% average across 832 U.S. occupations - more exposed than 8% of them. It ranks among the more AI-resilient roles in the dataset.
Where Athletes and sports competitors sits among all occupations
AI-exposure score distribution across 832 U.S. occupations (O*NET task analysis). This occupation is marked in rose.
Athletes and sports competitors has ai exposure of 21%. Distribution: 1 occupations at 0-10%; 43 occupations at 10-20%; 184 occupations at 20-30%; 332 occupations at 30-40%; 158 occupations at 40-50%; 64 occupations at 50-60%; 29 occupations at 60-70%; 15 occupations at 70-80%; 5 occupations at 80-90%; 1 occupations at 90-100%.
Source: O*NET task data (U.S. Department of Labor); AI-exposure scores are PlainWorkforce's analysis. As of BLS 2024–2034.
Athletes and sports competitors vs. its occupational neighbors
AI exposure (horizontal) vs projected 2024–2034 growth (vertical) for occupations in the same SOC group. Athletes and sports competitors is marked in rose; the top-left corner is the most future-proof.
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034 (growth) and O*NET (AI-exposure analysis by PlainWorkforce).
Employment Projections
Occupation Insight
Athletes and sports competitors (SOC 27-2021) carries an AI exposure score of 21%, placing it in the Medium automation-risk tier. This score is computed from O*NET Database 30.0 task-level analysis, where each task an occupation performs is evaluated against current generative AI, robotic process automation, and machine-learning capabilities. A score below 40% reflects tasks anchored in physical dexterity, unstructured environments, or high-touch human interaction that current AI cannot reliably replicate.
The economic context matters alongside the risk score. BLS counted approximately 19,100 workers in this occupation in 2024, and projects a +5.5% change through 2034 - modest growth that keeps the occupation viable even as tasks evolve. Median annual compensation stands at $62,360, reflecting both skill scarcity and the value employers place on the tasks that remain difficult to automate. Entry typically requires No formal educational credential, plus None of related experience.
For career planners, this profile should be read alongside the task, skill, and knowledge breakdowns below and the list of employers whose workforce composition includes Athletes and sports competitors. Adjacent occupations shown further down offer lateral moves that preserve industry knowledge while potentially reducing exposure. Pair the AI exposure score with the BLS employment projection and wage percentiles above for a complete career assessment.
Education & Entry Requirements
Top Tasks (O*NET)
- 1. Assess performance following athletic competition, identifying strengths and weaknesses and making adjustments to improve future performance.
- 2. Maintain equipment used in a particular sport.
- 3. Attend scheduled practice or training sessions.
- 4. Maintain optimum physical fitness levels by training regularly, following nutrition plans, or consulting with health professionals.
- 5. Participate in athletic events or competitive sports, according to established rules and regulations.
- 6. Exercise or practice under the direction of athletic trainers or professional coaches to develop skills, improve physical condition, or prepare for competitions.
- 7. Receive instructions from coaches or other sports staff prior to events and discuss performance afterwards.
- 8. Represent teams or professional sports clubs, performing such activities as meeting with members of the media, making speeches, or participating in charity events.
- 9. Lead teams by serving as captain.
Key Skills Required
- Speaking
- Active Listening
- Critical Thinking
- Coordination
- Monitoring
- Judgment and Decision Making
- Reading Comprehension
- Social Perceptiveness
- Active Learning
- Persuasion
Knowledge Areas
- Administration and Management
- English Language
- Customer and Personal Service
- Personnel and Human Resources
- Communications and Media
- Education and Training
- Sales and Marketing
- Mathematics
- Public Safety and Security
- Administrative
Frequently Asked Questions
Will AI replace Athletes and sports competitors?
Athletes and sports competitors has an AI exposure score of 21%, indicating a medium level of automation risk. The majority of tasks in this role require human judgment, creativity, or physical presence that AI cannot easily replicate.
What is the job outlook for Athletes and sports competitors?
According to BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034, Athletes and sports competitors is projected to grow by 5.5% over the decade. Current employment stands at approximately 19,100 workers.
What skills are needed for Athletes and sports competitors?
Key skills for Athletes and sports competitors include Speaking, Active Listening, Critical Thinking, and others. Typical entry-level education is No formal educational credential.
How much do Athletes and sports competitors earn?
The median annual wage for Athletes and sports competitors is $62,360, according to BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2024). Actual earnings vary by location, experience, industry, and employer. The BLS publishes detailed wage percentiles by region in its Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program.
What education is required for Athletes and sports competitors?
The typical entry-level education for Athletes and sports competitors is No formal educational credential. Employers generally expect None of related work experience. On-the-job training typically involves Long-term on-the-job training. Requirements can vary by employer and specialization.
Which companies employ Athletes and sports competitors?
Athletes and sports competitors roles exist across many industries and employers. Workforce composition is estimated from BLS industry-occupation employment distributions matched to SEC-registered public companies.
AI Exposure Rating
Medium automation risk based on 9 analyzed tasks. Most tasks require human judgment and are resistant to automation.
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Data sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections 2024–2034 and O*NET Database 30.0. Employment figures are rounded. Wage data from BLS Occupational Employment Statistics (OES).