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The Sports-Related Jobs With The Strongest Growth – Forbes
Quarterbacks and sideline commentators may grab the bulk of the airtime, but sports-related jobs span a broad spectrum of interdependent occupations–and some of them are growing faster than ever.
Jobs across all sports-related industries are up 12.6% since 2010–more than double the growth in the national job market, according to a report released today by CareerBuilder and Economic Modeling Specialists. Average earnings across these occupations–$78,455–also top the national average of $57,947.
Additionally, sports jobs have a strong “multiplier effect,” creating job growth in other fields beyond athletics. The report states that 100 new sports-related jobs in Pittsburgh have the ability to create $46.2 million in earnings for the city, as well as 422 jobs in “construction, health care, sales, food preparation, and maintenance.”
The report breaks down growth by sports-related industries, which include Sports Teams and Clubs; Racetracks; and various denominations of promoters, agents, and managers; and also by occupations within sports-related industries, such as Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners; Public Address System and Other Announcers; and Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers.
While Sports Teams and Clubs saw 8.6% growth industry-wide since 2010, specific sports-related jobs, particularly those with a business focus, have also seen strong growth. Among those sports occupations are Promoters of Performing Arts, Sports, and Similar Events, which saw upwards of 30% growth, as well as Agents and Managers for Artists, Athletes, Entertainers, and Other Public Figures, which saw a jump of nearly 17%.
Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners fared the best since 2010, as an occupation, growing nearly 40%, with Concierges and Audio and Video Equipment Technicians following close behind. Bartenders saw a 21% increase, while Amusement and Recreation Attendants grew by 15%.
The sports-related occupations that saw the least growth might actually be the most surprising. Coaches and Scouts increased by just 7%; Athletes and Sports Competitors only 3%.
Still, CareerBuilder CEO Matt Ferguson reads the trend as a message that the sports employment ecosystem will continue to thrive.
“Sports is a major part of our culture and a key economic driver in cities nationwide,” said Ferguson. “The growth in sports-related jobs since 2010 is notably higher than that of the national average for all jobs, indicating a greater investment in one of America’s favorite pastimes.”
In pictures: 20 Sports-Related Jobs With Double-Digit Growth