How much does an Athletic Director make in the United States?
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The average Athletic Director salary in the United States is $145,885 as of April 01, 2026. The range for our most popular Athletic Director positions (listed below) typically falls between $46,924 and $244,846. Keep in mind that salary ranges can vary widely depending on many important factors, including position, education, certifications, additional skills, and the number of years you have spent in your profession. With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target.
Athletic Director's Annual Base Salary
| Job Title | Salary | Hourly Rate | Location | Date Updated |
| Athletic Trainer | $61,219 | $29.43 | United States | April 01, 2026 |
| Athletic Compliance Manager | $85,043 | $40.89 | United States | April 01, 2026 |
| Head Athletic Trainer - Higher Ed. | $70,309 | $33.80 | United States | April 01, 2026 |
| Athletic Trainer Assistant - Higher Ed. | $52,593 | $25.28 | United States | April 01, 2026 |
| Channel Sales Director | $173,880 | $83.60 | United States | April 01, 2026 |
| Purchasing Director | $201,810 | $97.02 | United States | April 01, 2026 |
| Engineering Director | $214,616 | $103.18 | United States | April 01, 2026 |
| Marketing Director | $196,053 | $94.26 | United States | April 01, 2026 |
| Sales Director | $214,510 | $103.13 | United States | April 01, 2026 |
| Recruiting Director | $171,193 | $82.30 | United States | April 01, 2026 |
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Treats and prevents athletic injuries by developing therapies to reduce pain and improve mobility under the direction of a physician. Assists in exercise instruction and demonstration, patient evaluation and testing. May require state license to practice. Typically requires a bachelor's degree in exercise science, sports science or equivalent. Typically requires certification as a Certified Athletic Trainer. Typically reports to a manager or head of a unit/department. Occasionally directed in several aspects of the work. Gaining exposure to some of the complex tasks within the job function. Typically requires 2 -4 years of related experience. View Athletic Trainer SalaryAlternate Job Titles:Certified Athletic Trainer, Athletic TrainerCategory : Healthcare - Technicians
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Manages and monitors the compliance system for a university/college's athletic program. Develops procedures and policies to monitor and ensure compliance with all NCAA and conference rules and regulations. Verifies student eligibility to participate in university athletics. Investigates and reviews alleged NCAA and conference rule violations and communicates findings to appropriate parties. Serves as a liaison between the athletic program and the NCAA. Requires a bachelor's degree. Typically reports to a director. Manages subordinate staff in the day-to-day performance of their jobs. True first level manager. Ensures that project/department milestones/goals are met and adhering to approved budgets. Has full authority for personnel actions. Typically requires 5 years experience in the related area as an individual contributor. 1-3 years supervisory experience may be required. Extensive knowledge of the function and department processes. View Athletic Compliance Manager SalaryAlternate Job Titles:NCAA Athletic Compliance Manager, Student Athlete Compliance Manager, Athletic Compliance ManagerCategory : Sports and Recreation
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Plans and directs the athletic training program. Oversees the training room and the care and rehabilitation of student athletes. Responsible for emergency care, injury assessment, and developing rehabilitation plans. Coordinates medical coverage at sporting events. May attend athletic events to evaluate injuries and illnesses and determines whether an athlete can safely return to play or if further medical attention is needed. Offers advice on preventing injuries. May require a master's degree. Requires Athletic Trainer Certification. Typically reports to an athletics director. Manages subordinate staff in the day-to-day performance of their jobs. True first level manager. Ensures that project/department milestones/goals are met and adhering to approved budgets. Has full authority for personnel actions. Typically requires 5 years experience in the related area as an individual contributor. 1-3 years supervisory experience may be required. Extensive knowledge of the function and department processes. View Head Athletic Trainer - Higher Ed. SalaryAlternate Job Titles:College Head Athletic Trainer, University Head Athletic Trainer, Head Athletic Trainer - Higher Ed.
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Provides physical therapy and aids in the care and rehabilitation of student athletes. Responsible for emergency care, injury assessment, and developing rehabilitation plans. Attends athletic events to evaluate injuries and illnesses and determines whether an athlete can safely return to play or if further medical attention is needed. Offers advice on preventing injuries. Requires a bachelor's degree. Requires Athletic Trainer Certification. Typically reports to a head athletic trainer. Years of experience may be unspecified. Certification and/or licensing in the position's specialty is the main requirement. View Athletic Trainer Assistant - Higher Ed. SalaryAlternate Job Titles:College Assistant Athletic Trainer, University Assistant Athletic Trainer, Athletic Trainer Assistant - Higher Ed.
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Directs and oversees an organization's channel sales policies, objectives, and initiatives. Sets short- and long-term channel sales strategies and evaluates effectiveness of current programs. Recommends product or service enhancements to improve customer satisfaction and sales potential. Requires a bachelor's degree. Typically reports to a director or head of a unit/department. Typically manages through subordinate managers and professionals in larger groups of moderate complexity. Provides input to strategic decisions that affect the functional area of responsibility. May give input into developing the budget. Typically requires 3+ years of managerial experience. Capable of resolving escalated issues arising from operations and requiring coordination with other departments. View Channel Sales Director SalaryAlternate Job Titles:Business Channel Director, Director of Channel Sales, Channel Sales DirectorCategory : Sales
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Directs the procurement and purchasing operations and strategy to provide the materials and services to meet organizational requirements for quality, volume, availability, and pricing. Evaluates and develops strategic supplier relationships, negotiates contracts, and implements systems for monitoring performance, assessing risk, and responding to changes in demand or disruptions in the supply chain. Collaborates with other functions to define current and future inventory requirements and manage inventory levels. Designs processes and systems and utilizes technical tools to analyze data and increase responsiveness to material demands. Incorporates auditing processes to ensure procurement and recordkeeping comply with any applicable industry or governmental regulations. Requires a bachelor's degree. Typically reports to senior management. Manages a departmental sub-function within a broader departmental function. Creates functional strategies and specific objectives for the sub-function and develops budgets/policies/procedures to support the functional infrastructure. Typically requires 5+ years of managerial experience. Deep knowledge of the managed sub-function and solid knowledge of the overall departmental function. View Purchasing Director SalaryAlternate Job Titles:Director of Procurement, Purchasing Director
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Directs an organization's engineering activities to develop or improve technical products, systems, or processes that meet specified requirements and standards. Plans and oversees engineering projects through their entire lifecycle, including cost and requirement analysis, scheduling, and coordinating activities with stakeholders. Monitors schedules and deadlines and prioritizes projects to ensure timely delivery and customer satisfaction. Manages engineering costs and project budgets and identifies processes, technologies, or materials to improve cost-savings or engineering efficiencies. Develops policies and procedures to guide the design, development, and testing of new products or processes. Leads initiatives with other departments to research, plan, and schedule potential products, projects, or opportunities. Remains informed of new technologies and processes and implements changes to improve engineering capabilities. Requires a bachelor's degree in engineering or related discipline. Typically reports to senior management. Manages a departmental sub-function within a broader departmental function. Creates functional strategies and specific objectives for the sub-function and develops budgets/policies/procedures to support the functional infrastructure. Typically requires 5+ years of managerial experience. Deep knowledge of the managed sub-function and solid knowledge of the overall departmental function. View Engineering Director SalaryAlternate Job Titles:General Engineering Director, Technical Engineering Director, Engineering DirectorCategory : Engineering
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Directs an organization's marketing objectives, strategies, programs, and policies. Translates the overall marketing vision into integrated business plans, tactics, projects, and deliverables. Assists with developing marketing goals, budgets, and strategies and ensures alignment with greater business goals. Oversees critical marketing functions, including market research, communications, and product planning. Develops operational processes and policies that streamline decision-making and promote collaboration between marketing functions. Monitors and controls budgets, resources, and teams to implement and execute short-term and long-term marketing plans. Requires a bachelor's degree. Typically reports to senior management. Manages a departmental sub-function within a broader departmental function. Creates functional strategies and specific objectives for the sub-function and develops budgets/policies/procedures to support the functional infrastructure. Typically requires 5+ years of managerial experience. Deep knowledge of the managed sub-function and solid knowledge of the overall departmental function. View Marketing Director SalaryAlternate Job Titles:Executive Marketing Director, Marketing Operations Director, Marketing Director
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Directs the sales teams and supporting operations to implement the organizational sales strategy and drive revenue growth. Establishes and improves techniques, tools, and structures to support the sales process and meet defined business objectives. Oversees goal setting for departmental and group levels of the sales organization and uses data and technology to measure and monitor sales processes, identify issues, and enhance performance. Implements methods and systems to effectively analyze and monitor the industry, business environment, and competitors and expand the customer base. Uses market and customer insights to collaborate with internal stakeholders to identify and suggest new products. Monitors programs and resources to control expenditures and ensure budget adherence. Requires a bachelor's degree. Typically reports to senior management. Manages a departmental sub-function within a broader departmental function. Creates functional strategies and specific objectives for the sub-function and develops budgets/policies/procedures to support the functional infrastructure. Typically requires 5+ years of managerial experience. Deep knowledge of the managed sub-function and solid knowledge of the overall departmental function. View Sales Director SalaryAlternate Job Titles:Sales Program Director, Strategic Sales Director, Sales Director
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Plans, develops, and directs processes to attract, evaluate, and refer candidates for open positions through recruiting website, employee referrals, on-site recruiting and other sourcing methods. Develops and enhances and organization's recruiting program, policies, and procedures. Executes a strategy to position the organization as a preferred employer. Evaluates and communicates key metrics to develop appropriate recruitment strategies and ensure positions are filled efficiently and effectively. Maintains relationships with schools, advertisement, and recruitment agencies. Oversees the recruitment for senior level and executive positions. Requires a bachelor's degree. Typically reports to top management. Typically manages through subordinate managers and professionals in larger groups of moderate complexity. Provides input to strategic decisions that affect the functional area of responsibility. May give input into developing the budget. Typically requires 3+ years of managerial experience. Capable of resolving escalated issues arising from operations and requiring coordination with other departments. View Recruiting Director SalaryAlternate Job Titles:Employment Director, Staffing Director, Recruiting Director