Also called: Race Rider
Rides thoroughbred racehorses in races at tracks across the country for trainers and owners, earning a fee per ride plus a share of winnings.
Weighs in before each race (most jockeys weigh about 115 pounds), studies the horse's past races with the trainer, and makes split-second decisions at 40 mph. Many also exercise horses at dawn. Dangerous and demanding.
Estimate; most jockeys earn modestly while top jockeys earn millions from purse percentages.
Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.
No formal education, about 0 years after high school. Starts as an exercise rider or apprentice jockey; state license.
Ways in: Apprenticeship, On-the-job training. Training cost: Get paid while you train.
Growing slowly. Small and shrinking field.
Low risk for 10 years. Riding a racehorse at 40 mph is entirely human skill; the bigger risk is racing's slow decline, not AI.
Classes: Physical education, Biology, Nutrition elective, Business or entrepreneurship.
Official data: O*NET occupation 27-2021.
Career Universe is an early version. Pay, training and AI-risk figures are estimates to start your own research, not verified facts. The research was written with AI research assistants, checked by validation scripts and spot-checked by hand. Check anything important with schools, employers and official sources. How the numbers work.