Find Your Dream Sports Job

According to the Sporting Goods Manufacturing Association (SGMA), in 2004 there were an estimated 96.4 million recreational swimmers, 88.8 million recreational walkers, and 53.7 million recreational bicyclists.

With so many sports enthusiasts, it makes sense that a number of career fields exist to support all these athletes and help them remain healthy and injury-free.

Sound like one of these might be your dream job? Here's four sports-related jobs that let you help others be the best they can be on the court... on the field... anywhere!

1. Nutritionists

While exercise is a key component to getting healthy, providing your body with the proper fuel is also important. It's not as simple as figuring out which foods are good and which are bad. Today's nutritionists look at the needs of each individual and help him or her maximize performance with the right food and liquids.

Salary: Nutritionists are so valuable, in fact, that according to the U.S. Department of Labor, they can earn upward of $57,000 per year.

Career Training: Earn a bachelor's degree in nutrition to learn about diet, physiology, chemistry, biology, and other subjects tied to diet and sports performance.

2. Massage Therapists

Increased flexibility is one way to prevent injury - making the sports massage therapist a crucial player in keeping sports enthusiasts injury-free and helping injuries heal. Sports massage therapists are required to understand physiology, and may sometimes work in support of chiropractors, who may recommend various massage techniques for their clients.

Salary: The Department of Labor estimates that sports massage therapists can earn between $24 to $33 dollars per hour, depending on the number of clients and massage expertise.

Career Training: Look into certificate and training programs that offer sports massage therapy.

Find Massage Therapy schools near you.

3. Personal Trainers

For many athletes, gyms and exercise equipment are not enough to reach their fitness goals. Enter the personal trainer, who works side by side with clients to help them reach their fitness goals. Trainers may work with everyone from the fitness novice to professional athletes.

Salary: Personal trainers can earn in the mid-$40,000 salary range, but their potential earnings can go higher, depending on level of expertise and number of clients.

Career Training: You can get certified after completing a fitness education program. From there, you may want to pick a specialty like yoga or Pilates, or become an expert in multiple exercise areas. Your versatility is what will determine your ultimate earning potential.

Search for schools and universities with Fitness programs near you or online.

4. Beauty and Aesthetics Professionals

While it may not seem like a sports-focused career, beauty and aesthetics professionals often work in the same settings as personal trainers, nutritionists, and massage therapists. Spas, gyms, and hotels and resorts often employ many of these same workers to enhance their clients' experiences. Beauty and aesthetics professionals specialize in skin, hair, and body treatments designed to enhance overall well-being - much like the activities managed by other sports professionals!

Salary: The salaries for beauty and aesthetics workers vary greatly - starting usually in the $13 per hour range. With greater experience, employees can increase their earning power considerably.

Career Training: Beauty and aesthetics training programs come with many different concentrations and can often be completed on a part-time basis. Many can be completed in 12-18 months. Licensure is required in many states.