At the very least, the master's degree offers athletic trainers more of a professional background than a certificate or bachelor's does. In any field, a master's degree carries much more clout than lesser education tracts. Master programs are specialized education fields in which students are allowed to focus on not only in-the-field experience, but research and theory to improve performance. Any sort of employment outside of a school (health care, private practice) would necessitate having a Master's degree or a Ph.D.
To acquire and maintain employment in the 21st century, athletic trainers hired by universities and elsewhere will be expected to have at least a master's degree. Trainers with less education than their colleagues may find themselves coaching youth sports, teaching gym classes or even worse, unemployed. The Bureau of Labor Statistics notes that athletic trainers "need a master's or higher degree to be eligible for some positions, especially those in colleges and universities, and to increase their advancement opportunities."
Salary ranges for athletic trainers vary greatly, from around $20,000 to $60,000 as of 2010, according to the Department of Labor. The lower end of the spectrum is full of recent graduates and individuals underqualified for advancement or higher earnings. As schools hire more athletic trainers, their job may encompass more teaching duties, which would require a master's degree. Higher earners may be employed in the health care industry or by sports teams or organizations, both of which probably require a higher education.
As of 2008, there were over 16,000 athletic trainer positions in the United States, with 70 percent of them already holding graduate-level degrees. The Department of Labor notes that, "Employment of athletic trainers is projected to grow 37 percent from 2008 to 2018, much faster than the average for all occupations, because of their role in preventing injuries and reducing health-care costs." A career with so much upside will most likely increase its requirements as positions become more sought after and more individuals become involved in the field.