Do you enjoy helping people with their workout goals, health concerns or illnesses and injuries? Are you passionate about wellness and/or exercise? There are many careers in the health and fitness profession that might be a perfect fit for you.
With the healthcare industry set to grow by 18% through 2026, now is a better time than ever to get into this exciting and rewarding line of work. With that said, let’s take a look at four careers in health and fitness that are worth considering, as well as what you can expect to make.
Sports Massage Therapist
If you’re looking for a career that combines both fitness and health, then you may be interested in pursuing work as a sports massage therapist. Both elite athletes and weekend runners eventually need help with injuries or strains that they’ve developed from their sport. This is where a massage therapist comes in to save the day.
The industry is largely driven by referrals, so the more you perform, the more you’ll make. You have the freedom to work your own hours from an office, your home or house calls. Your career is also taken more seriously as your job is to heal clients, not pamper them. The average annual salary for a sports massage therapist is around $42,100.
Nurse Practitioner
Family nurse practitioners are responsible for taking care of patients in their homes, medical clinics or other healthcare environments. You have the option of working independently, making it a more flexible and rewarding career path. Nurses are in seriously high demand right now, with between 4,000 and 7,000 physician roles that need to be fulfilled.
To get into this industry on the right foot, your best bet would be to obtain a master’s degree in nursing. This will afford you more opportunities from the beginning, with an annual average salary of $100,000. Be sure to check out this online course from an esteemed university for a master’s of science in nursing-family nurse practitioner qualification.
Longevity Wellness Specialist
Aside from sounding really cool, the job of a longevity wellness specialist is to help people make better lifestyle choices. The kind of choices that will help them live a longer, happier life. The average base pay for this career is around $47,347 annually, with additional compensation of $1,461.
Athletic Trainer
If your heart lies more towards fitness than healthcare, then a career as an athletic trainer may be your best bet. You’ll have the opportunity to work with everyone from children to professional athletes to soldiers, helping them with diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of exercise-related injuries.
A bachelor’s degree is recommended, but master’s degrees are also available. While state requirements vary, license or certification is usually required. Athletic trainers can expect to make an average of $38,946 annually, but salaries can rise to $68,466 for the top 20%.
Regardless of which line of work best suits your ideals, you’ll be set for a rewarding, satisfying and lucrative career. There’s nothing better than taking care of those around you – getting paid for it is just an awesome perk.
