Shigoto Zukan
日本語

Will AI replace athletes and sports competitors?AI replacement risk 25% and how the work is changing

United States Sports & Fitness Confidence ★★★★★

Median annual pay
$66,710
25th–75th pct. $36,790–$109,880
Top pay (est.)
$965,000
Top 10% $742,310
Pay in 5 years
$78,300est.
2031
Pay in 10 years
$92,000est.
$79,100–$106,800
Outlook score
73/100
★★★★☆ Good
AI replacement risk
25%
Low
Job growth (10 yr)
+5.5%
2,200 openings / yr

Will AI replace Athletes and Sports Competitors? AI replacement risk

25%
Low
Ranked #180 safest from AI among all U.S. occupations
Very lowLowModerateHighVery high

How AI is changing this job

A written analysis for this occupation is being prepared.

AI replacement risk compares the parts of a job that are easy to hand to AI or software (processing information, documentation, repetitive computer work) with the parts that are hard to automate (physical work, working closely with people, judgment in unpredictable settings), using O*NET work activities, work context, skills and knowledge. The result is a relative position among all occupations in the country, scaled to 0–100%. Methodology →

Skills, education and requirements for Athletes and Sports Competitors

Key skills

Coordination
3.8
Active Listening
3.2
Critical Thinking
3.1
Instructing
3.0
Speaking
3.0
Social Perceptiveness
3.0
Reading Comprehension
3.0
Time Management
3.0

O*NET skill level ratings (0–7).

Key knowledge areas

Customer and Personal Service
4.4
Personnel and Human Resources
4.2
Education and Training
3.9
Sales and Marketing
3.7
Administration and Management
3.7
Communications and Media
3.5
Administrative
3.4
English Language
3.2

What the work involves

Performing General Physical ActivitiesHandling and Moving ObjectsOrganizing, Planning, and Prioritizing WorkIdentifying Objects, Actions, and EventsProcessing InformationCommunicating with Supervisors, Peers, or SubordinatesAnalyzing Data or InformationDeveloping Objectives and Strategies

Important abilities

StaminaDynamic StrengthExplosive StrengthGross Body CoordinationOral ExpressionStatic Strength

Education of workers

Less than high school
35%
Bachelor's degree
24%
High school diploma
23%
Associate's degree
9%
Post-secondary certificate
5%
Some college
3%

Training before entry

None / short demo
60%
1–3 months
8%
2–4 years
8%
4–10 years
7%
Over 10 years
6%
3–6 months
4%
1–2 years
4%
Up to 1 month
3%

Related work experience

4–6 years
27%
Over 10 years
25%
1–2 years
19%
3–6 months
8%
8–10 years
7%
2–4 years
4%
6–8 years
3%
6–12 months
3%
Up to 1 month
3%

Job Zone 2 — some preparation needed (O*NET)

Difficulty of entry: ★★★☆☆ Moderate (from education, training, experience and Job Zone)

Pay and employment figures are national statistics. Projected pay, outlook scores and AI replacement risk are estimates from the Shigoto Zukan model, not guarantees. To request a correction, use the contact form. How to read the data
Sources: BLS OEWS May 2025; BLS Employment Projections 2025–35; O*NET 31.0 Database by USDOL/ETA (CC BY 4.0), modified by Shigoto Zukan. Pay ranges, projections and scores are Shigoto Zukan estimates.