Professionals in the sports management industry can hold any number of jobs with a wide variety of responsibilities. SimplyHired.com reports that people in the sports management industry make an average of $50,000 per year, but there are huge differences depending on your specific job. Here are some of the most popular job titles, along with their average salaries:

• Head coach (major sports): $65,830
• Head coach (minor sports): $50,000
• Athletic director: $100,348
• Head athletic trainer: $51,900
• Event ticket manager: $46,470
• Contract Specialist: $55,000

For some, salary depends on how well the team performs. This is especially true when it comes to the coaching staff. Most coaches have a contract with the team or school employing them, but they’re given additional bonuses and raises based on having a winning record.

The average salaries listed above are, in some cases, skewed by the very high salaries of professional and major university workers. For example, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the middle half of coaches in 2006 made between $17,510 and $40,805.

The jobs above, of course, aren’t your only career path choices. You can also work as a sport agent, representing athletes to negotiate contracts. As a sport agent, you’ll be paid a percentage of your stars’ earnings, so your salary will depend on how well your client players on the field. In the United States, here are the average ranges you can expect:

• NFL: $6,750 – $600,000
• NBA: $15,400 – $1,120,000
• NHL: $14,000 – $400,000
• MLS: $600 – $20,000

Remember, those numbers are per client, so by having more clients, you’ll make more money. If you want to work as a sports agent, you can also start out at a larger agency, where you’ll typically make a smaller percentage plus an annal base salary. This is a great way to gain experience and build relationships in the sports world before setting out on your own.

For those looking to begin or advance a career in sports management, there are several accredited online colleges that offer degrees in the subject. For beginners, associate's degrees and bachelor's degrees are available. For graduate students wishing for more in-depth study, master's degrees and MBAs in sports management are also available.

AA in Sports Mgmt	University of Phoenix — The University of Phoenix offers an associate's degree in sports management. This degree program lays the foundation for further study in recreation management and sport. Students will learn about management, ethics, leadership, finance, marketing, and more.
BS in Sports Mgmt	Post University — The bachelor's degree in sports management from Post University prepares its students for administrative, management, and marketing careers in the sports industry. Because the program can be completed entirely online, working adults will find the scheduling flexibility of the program to be one of its greatest strengths.
BA in Sport & Rec Mgmt BA/SM - Marketing BA/SM - Entrepreneurship BA/SM - Project Mgmt More...	Ashford University — The bachelor's degree in sports management from Ashford University will prepare its students for managerial positions in the sport and recreation industry, including gymnasium management, athletics equipment merchandising, and professional sports management. Specialties offered within this program include sports marketing, sports finance, sports project management, sports entrepreneurship, and sports information systems.
BSBA in Sports Mgmt	Grand Canyon University — The BS in business administration - sports management degree from Grand Canyon University readies students to gain positions in the field of sports business management. Graduates of this degree program will be well schooled in sport marketing, sport law, and sport finance.
MS in Sports Mgmt	Liberty University — Liberty's MS in sports management provides students with an understanding of the sports and recreation industry. The program is extremely relevant in today's sports environment covering controversial topics in the social and ethical issues that face the industry.
MS in Athletic Admin MS in Coaching Education	Ohio University — The Ohio University offers two master's degrees in subjects related to sports management. The MS in athletic administration degree prepares students for careers in front office management or athletic departments. The MS in coaching education prepares students for coaching careers at the collegiate and professional level.
MBA in Sports Mgmt	Tiffin University — TIffin University's MBA program in sports management prepares its students for management positions in recreational, collegiate, and professional sports. The main focus of the program is on developing skills in communication, leadership, IT, and problem solving.
MS in Sports Mgmt BS in Sports & Health	American Military University — The BS in sports and health sciences program from AMU studies issues related to recreational health and sports health. Topcis range from psychological issues, physical ailments, and overall well-being. AMU's MS in sports management program provides the education necessary to enter the field of sports management with careers ranging from coaching to program administration.
BSBA in Sports Mgmt	Salem International University — The BS in business administration from Salem International University is available with a sports management specialization. Within this career-focused degree program, students take core business classes such as accounting, finance, marketing, and business law, along with specialized classes in event management, sports economics, sports ethics, and sports management.
BS in Sports Mgmt	California University of Pennsylvania — The BS in sports management from California University of Pennsylvania features a concentration in fitness and wellness, allowing graduates of this program to find careers working in fitness clubs, gyms, strength coaching, and more. This is a full four-year program that is available 100% online.
MBA in Sports Mgmt	St. Leo University — The MBA degree in sports business from St. Leo University will give its students a thorough understanding of teamwork, ethics, communication, and management within a sport and recreation environment.
MS in Sports Mgmt	Drexel University — The Master of Science degree in sports management from Drexel University is designed to help sports managers and administrators receive a full understanding of the links between management skills, nutrition, psychology, and sport.
MBA in Sport Mgmt	Columbia Southern University — The MBA in sport management program from Columbia Southern University is designed to produce leaders within the sports industry. Areas of study include HR management, marketing, MIS, ethics, business policy, sport law and risk management, sport fund raising, and sport administration & finance.
M.Ed. in Athletic Admin PhD in Athletic Admin	Northcentral University — Northcentral's M.Ed. in athletic administration will provide you the skills and education necessary for K-12 athletic administration. Northcentral also offers a more advanced PhD degree in athletic administration that provides students with knowledge on comprehensive educational concepts necessary to direct athletic programs and sporting events.
MA in Sport Psych.	University of the Rockies — The University of the Rockies offers an MA in sports and performance psychology degree program that educates its students in how to be an effective coach/leader and get the most out of a team, in sports or more general human performance. Graduates of this program typically enter careers as business consultants, coaches, physical therapists, or personal trainers.
MA in Sports Psychology	Argosy University — The news is wrought with athletes that have used unethical performance enhancing substances. The MA in sports psychology trains students to become to become ethical performance enhancement specialists highly needed in today's sports arena. Many potential positions currently exist for people with this knowledge set.
MBA in Sports Mgmt MS in Sports Mgmt	Southern New Hampshire University — Southern New Hampshire University's MBA in sport management and MS in sports management degree programs teach its students to become adept in the business and marketing side of the sport industry. For these programs, no GMAT or GRE is required, but applicants must have a bachelor's degree.
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