Women in Athletic Training
Breaking Barriers: How Women Are Reshaping Leadership in Athletic Training
Athletic training has long been viewed as a male-dominated profession, but women continue to redefine what leadership, expertise, and resilience look like in sports medicine.
Today, women make up approximately 59% of certified athletic trainers, yet many leadership positions within athletics remain predominantly held by men.
Female athletic trainers often work under male head coaches or administrators and may face the ongoing challenge of having to prove their knowledge and clinical expertise in environments where gender bias still exists.
These disparities extend beyond workplace culture. According to the National Athletic Trainers' Association's 2023 Salary Survey, male athletic trainers working in secondary school settings earn more, on average, than female athletic trainers in comparable roles, highlighting that pay equity remains an important issue within the profession.
Despite these challenges, women have made remarkable progress by increasing their representation, advocating for equitable treatment, and supporting one another through mentorship and professional development. Every barrier broken by today's female athletic trainers creates new opportunities for the next generation.
As more women step into leadership roles and continue to champion equity, the future of athletic training is becoming more inclusive, diverse, and representative of the professionals who dedicate their careers to caring for athletes.
Destiny Adkins is a certified athletic trainer with six years of sports medicine experience specializing in secondary school athletics and athlete care. She holds degrees from Lincoln College, Eureka College and Charleston Southern University, is BOC certified and Louisiana licensed, and serves as an Athletic Trainer with Terrebonne General Health System. Adkins specializes in injury evaluations, rehabilitation,…
