1. Athletes, Coaches, Umpires, and Related Workers Kierstin Niederschmidt

2. Job Description Athletes and sports competitors compete in organized, officiated sports events to entertain spectators. Being an athlete involves more than competing in athletic events. Athletes spend many hours each day practicing skills and improving teamwork under the guidance of a coach or a sports instructor Coaches organize amateur and professional athletes and teach them the fundamental skills of individual and team sports Many coaches in high schools are primarily teachers of academic subjects who supplement their income by coaching part time.

3. Education & Training Most athletes, coaches, umpires, and related workers get their training from having played in the sport at some level. All of these sports-related workers need to have an extensive knowledge of the way the sport is played, its rules and regulations, and strategies, which is often acquired by playing the sport in school or recreation center, but also with the help of instructors or coaches, or in a camp that teaches the fundamentals of the sport. For most team sports, athletes gain experience by competing in high school and collegiate athletics or on club teams. Although there may not be a specific education requirement, head coaches at public secondary schools and sports instructors at all levels usually must have a bachelor's degree. For high school coaching and sports instructor jobs, schools usually prefer, and may have to hire teachers willing to take on these part time jobs. If no suitable teacher is found, schools hire someone from outside. College coaches also usually are required to have a bachelorís degree. Degree programs specifically related to coaching include exercise and sports science, physiology, kinesiology, nutrition and fitness, physical education, and sports medicine. Some entry-level positions for coaches or instructors require only experience derived as a participant in the sport or activity.

4. Salary Median annual wages of athletes and sports competitors were $40,480 in May 2008. The middle 50 percent earned between $21,760 and $93,710. The highest paid professional athletes earn much more.Median annual wages of umpires and related workers were $23,730 in May 2008. The middle 50 percent earned between $17,410 and $33,150. The lowest paid 10 percent earned less than $15,450, and the highest paid 10 percent earned more than $48,310.In May 2008, median annual wages of coaches and scouts were $28,340. The middle 50 percent earned between $18,220 and $43,440. The lowest paid 10 percent earned less than $15,530, and the highest paid 10 percent earned more than $62,660. However, the highest paid professional coaches earn much more. Median annual wages in the industries employing the largest numbers of coaches and scouts in May 2008.

5. Job Outlook Employment of athletes, coaches, umpires, and related workers is expected to grow much faster than the average for all occupations through 2018. Very keen competition is expected for jobs at the highest levels of sports with progressively more favorable opportunities in lower levels of competition. much faster than the average Very keen competition Employment of athletes, coaches, umpires, and related workers is expected to increase by 23 percent from 2008 to 2018, which is much faster than the average for all occupations. Additional coaches and instructors are expected to be needed as school and college athletic programs expand

6. Related Occupations Dieticians & Nutritionists Fitness Workers Physical Therapists Recreation Workers Recreational Therapists

7. Work Cited http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos251.htm