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Athletes

Athletes participate in competitive sports events on an amateur or professional basis. They play team sports such as hockey, baseball, football and lacrosse; or compete in individual sports such as skiing, figure skating, boxing or track and field; or in games such as poker or chess. They are employed by professional team organizations or they may be self-employed.

Employment Outlooks

Economic Region Outlooks

Select your region(s)

Choose up to 3 regions to see employment outlooks. This occupation has data for 72 economic regions.

Salary Information

National wage data for this occupation
Entry-level
CA$18.00
/hr
Typical
CA$27.50
/hr
Experienced
CA$51.71
/hr

Average: CA$33.36/hr

Source: Job Bank Canada. Wages may vary by region and experience.

Examples

Illustrative Examples
  • track athlete
  • sprinter
  • athlete
  • baseball player
  • boxer
  • figure skater
  • football player
  • golfer
  • harness race driver
  • hockey player
  • jockey
  • professional athlete
  • skier
All Examples
  • amateur athlete
  • archer
  • athlete
  • automobile racer
  • badminton player
  • baseball player
  • basketball player
  • billiard player
  • bowler
  • boxer
  • canoeist
  • chess player
  • chuckwagon driver
  • chuckwagon racer - stampede
  • competitor - chess
  • competitor - gambling
  • coxswain
  • curler
  • cyclist
  • demolition driver
  • discus thrower
  • diver - olympic sport
  • fencer
  • figure skater
  • football player
  • footballer
  • gamer - video games
  • golf player
  • golfer
  • gymnast
  • hammer thrower
  • handball player
  • harness race driver
  • harness racing driver
  • helmsman - sports
  • hockey player
  • javelin thrower
  • jockey
  • judoka
  • jumper
  • pentathlete
  • ping-pong player
  • poker player
  • prize fighter
  • professional athlete
  • professional boxer
  • professional pool player
  • professional sportsman/woman
  • race car driver
  • rider
  • rodeo performer
  • rower
  • sailboarder
  • short-distance runner
  • shot put
  • skater
  • skier
  • snowboarder
  • soccer player
  • sprinter
  • stampede performer
  • stampede racer
  • standardbred pacer
  • stock car racer
  • sulky driver
  • swimmer
  • table tennis player
  • tennis player
  • track athlete
  • volleyball player
  • water-polo player
  • weight-lifter
  • wrestler

Main Duties

Main Duties
  • This group performs some or all of the following duties:
  • Train under the direction of a coach or trainer to qualify for competition
  • Attend scheduled practice and training sessions
  • Participate in local, regional, provincial, national or international competitions and sporting events
  • Assess performance after an event to identify strengths and weaknesses.

Requirements

Employment Requirements
  • Demonstrated ability in a particular sport, or type of game, is required.
  • Extensive training under the supervision of a coach is required.
  • Certification with a particular sports federation may be required.
  • A background combining athletic training and college or university studies is strongly recommended.

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Data from Statistics Canada (NOC 2021), ESDC Labour Market Information, and Job Bank Canada