The job market for sports scouts in the United States

There are currently an estimated 275,200 sports scouts in the United States. The sports scout job market is expected to grow by 9.2% between 2022 and 2032.

How employable are sports scouts?

CareerExplorer rates sports scouts with a C employability rating, meaning this career should provide moderate employment opportunities for the foreseeable future. Over the next 10 years, it is expected the US will need 32,300 sports scouts. That number is based on 25,300 additional sports scouts, and the retirement of 7,000 existing sports scouts.

Are sports scouts in demand?

Competition for the most desirable and rarely available scouting positions, at the college and professional levels, is projected to be very strong. Jobs with professional teams will continue to be the most competitive, because they pay the highest salaries and the number of available positions is limited. Rising participation in college and high school sports, particularly at smaller colleges and in women’s sports, could increase demand for scouts. Because successful teams help colleges enhance their reputation, attract future students, and raise donations from alumni, scouts will be called upon to recruit the best possible high school athletes. In some cases, they will be hired directly by high school athletes who wish to increase their chances of winning college scholarships and avoiding rising tuition fees. When the budgets of educational institutions are reduced, it is often funding for athletic programs that is cut first, potentially negatively impacting job prospects for this occupation. However, due to a projected population increase and overall popularity of team sports, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts significant job growth for sports scouts.

What’s the supply of sports scouts?

The sports scout industry is concentrated in California, Texas, Washington

Sports Scout job market by state