### Bureau of Labor Statistics U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Exercise Physiologists Summary
                        
            
                                                        
                                                                
                        
            
            
            
                            
                                                
                                                
                                                
                                                
            						
							
				                                                
                                            




            			Exercise physiologists develop fitness and exercise programs that help patients recover from chronic diseases.							
						Quick Facts:     Exercise Physiologists2023     Median Pay
            						$54,860     per year
										$26.38     per hourTypical Entry-Level Education
                                    Bachelor's degreeWork Experience in a Related Occupation
                                    NoneOn-the-job Training
                                    NoneNumber of Jobs, 2022
                                    16,500Job Outlook, 2022-32
                                    10% (Much faster than average)Employment Change, 2022-32
                                    1,700What Exercise Physiologists Do
                                                
                        
                        
Exercise physiologists develop fitness and exercise programs to help people improve their health.
            
                        Work Environment
                        
Most exercise physiologists are self-employed or work for hospitals. Exercise physiologists usually work full time, but part-time work may be common.
            
                                                How to Become an Exercise Physiologist
                                                
                        
Exercise physiologists typically need a bachelor’s degree in exercise science, exercise physiology, or a related field to enter the occupation.
            
                        Pay
                        												                            																				    														The median annual wage for exercise physiologists was $54,860 in May 2023.									                                					
						
            
                        Job Outlook
                        						
												Employment							of exercise physiologists is projected to grow							 10 percent from 2022 to 2032, much faster than the average for all occupations.
						About 1,200 openings for exercise physiologists are projected each year, on average, over the decade.
            			
            			 Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
						State & Area Data
                       Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for exercise physiologists.
            
            
						
                        Similar Occupations
                        
                                                    Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of exercise physiologists with similar occupations.
            
            
                        More Information, Including Links to O*NET
                        
                                               
                        Learn more about exercise physiologists by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
 What Exercise Physiologists Do 
            

			Exercise physiologistsExercise physiologists analyze a client’s medical history to determine the best exercise and fitness regimen.			
Exercise physiologists develop physical activity programs to help people improve components of their fitness, such as cardiovascular function, muscular strength, or flexibility.
Duties
Exercise physiologists typically do the following:
Analyze a client’s medical history to assess their risk during exercise and to determine the best exercise and fitness regimen for the client
Perform endurance, stress, and other tests with medical equipment and analyze the resulting data
Measure clients’ blood pressure, oxygen usage, heart rhythm, and other key health indicators
Develop exercise programs that address clients’ fitness needs
Implement programs to improve clients’ healthExercise physiologists work to improve people’s overall health. Many of their clients have chronic medical conditions, such as pulmonary (lung) disease. Exercise physiologists provide health education and exercise plans to help clients improve their respiratory, circulatory, and other systems.
Some physiologists work closely with primary care physicians, who may prescribe exercise regimens for their patients and refer them to exercise physiologists. The physiologists then work with these patients to develop individualized treatment plans that will help the patients meet their health and fitness goals.
The following are examples of types of exercise physiologists:
***Applied exercise physiologists*** study the physiological effects of exercise. They may research topics that explore the link between exercise and illness, such as whether increasing physical activity slows the progression of disease.
***Clinical exercise physiologists*** work with a range of client populations in a variety of settings. For example, they may design exercise programs or promote wellness strategies in schools, taking into account the students’ ages, development, and other factors.
***Kinesiotherapists*** use rehabilitative exercise, reconditioning, and physical education to treat clients who have problems moving. These workers focus on helping clients regain strength and endurance to increase their mobility.
Exercise physiologists should not be confused with occupations that have similar duties. For example, fitness trainers and instructors (including personal trainers) and athletic trainers promote wellness through exercise and physical activity but not necessarily to treat chronic conditions.
 Work Environment
			Exercise physiologistsExercise physiologists typically work in office settings.			

	    
				
	
	
	
	
	
	
	    					 Exercise physiologists held about 16,500 jobs in 2022. The largest employers of exercise physiologists were as follows:
        Self-employed workers
                59%Hospitals; state, local, and private
                26Offices of physical, occupational and speech therapists, and audiologists
                4Offices of physicians
                3Government
                2Exercise physiologists typically work in office settings that include hospitals and other medical facilities, fitness centers, and schools. They also may travel to meet with clients.
Some work with other healthcare personnel as part of a team. They may spend a lot of time on their feet when working with clients.
Work Schedules
Most exercise physiologists work full time, but part-time work may be common.
 How to Become an Exercise Physiologist

			Exercise physiologists typically need at least a bachelor’s degree.			
Exercise physiologists typically need at least a bachelor’s degree to enter the occupation.
Education
Exercise physiologists typically need at least a bachelor’s degree in exercise physiology, exercise science, kinesiology, or another healthcare and related field. Master’s degree programs also are available. Degree programs include science and health-related courses, such as anatomy, kinesiology, and nutrition, as well as clinical work. Programs in exercise physiology, exercise science, and kinesiology are accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP).
Some students participate in internships or practicums, sometimes offered as part of their degree program. These opportunities allow students to gain hands-on experience that may differ from or complement their clinical work.
Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations
State licensing requirements vary for exercise physiology. For example, Louisiana specifies that exercise physiologists be licensed, but other states require licensure for performing exercise physiology duties in related occupations. Check with your state’s licensing agency.
Employers typically require exercise physiologists to have Basic Life Support (BLS) certification or Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) certification, both of which include training in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
Optional certifications are available, such as those offered by the American Society of Exercise Physiologists (ASEP) and the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM).
Important Qualities
***Compassion.*** Exercise physiologists work with clients who may be in considerable pain or discomfort and must be patient and empathetic with them.
***Communication skills.*** Exercise physiologists must be able to clearly convey information to clients, clients’ families, and other members of the medical team, including physicians.
***Decision-making skills.*** Exercise physiologists must make informed assessments of their clients, whose health or livelihood may be affected by treatment options.
***Detail oriented.***Exercise physiologists must record specific, accurate information about their clients’ conditions, along with any progress or setbacks after beginning an exercise program.
***Interpersonal skills.***Exercise physiologists must be able to interact with clients and other members of the medical team.
 Pay

			



	
 
                                                     
            
    
                Exercise PhysiologistsMedian annual wages, May 2023Healthcare diagnosing or treating practitioners$98,760  Exercise physiologists$54,860  Total, all occupations$48,060Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy.Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics
 

	
	



		
	
	
	
The median annual wage for exercise physiologists was $54,860 in May 2023. 


The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $35,460, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $77,680.





		
	    					 In May 2023, the median annual wages for exercise physiologists in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:	
        Government
                $88,800Hospitals; state, local, and private
                56,100Offices of physicians
                51,010Offices of physical, occupational and speech therapists, and audiologists
                45,000Most exercise physiologists work full time, but part-time work may be common.
 Job Outlook

   
        
    
          
        
    
                Exercise PhysiologistsPercent change in employment, projected 2022-32Exercise physiologists10%  Healthcare diagnosing or treating practitioners9%  Total, all occupations3%Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy.Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program
            
            
			 
	
	
	

			Employment				of exercise physiologists is projected to grow				 10 percent from 2022 to 2032, much faster than the average for all occupations.
			
			About 1,200 openings for exercise physiologists are projected each year, on average, over the decade.
			
			 Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
			Employment
	
			
Demand for these workers may rise as healthcare providers emphasize exercise and preventive care to help people who have cardiovascular and pulmonary diseases to improve their overall health.
			

                        Employment projections data for     exercise physiologists, 2022-32
                Occupational Title
                        SOC Code
                        Employment, 2022
                        Projected Employment, 2032
                        Change, 2022-32
                        Employment by IndustryPercent
                        NumericSOURCE: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program**Exercise physiologists**
			29-1128
			16,500
			18,200
			10
			1,700
			Get data
 State & Area Data **Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)** The Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program produces employment and wage estimates annually for over 800 occupations. These estimates are available for the nation as a whole, for individual states, and for metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas. The link(s) below go to OES data maps for employment and wages by state and area. Exercise physiologists **Projections Central** Occupational employment projections are developed for all states by Labor Market Information (LMI) or individual state Employment Projections offices. All state projections data are available at www.projectionscentral.com. Information on this site allows projected employment growth for an occupation to be compared among states or to be compared within one state. In addition, states may produce projections for areas; there are links to each state’s websites where these data may be retrieved. **CareerOneStop** CareerOneStop includes hundreds of occupational profiles with data available by state and metro area. There are links in the left-hand side menu to compare occupational employment by state and occupational wages by local area or metro area. There is also a salary info tool to search for wages by zip code.
 Similar Occupations This table shows a list of occupations with job duties that are similar to those of exercise physiologists. Occupation
                Job Duties
                ENTRY-LEVEL EDUCATION
                2023     MEDIAN PAY**Athletic Trainers**
            Athletic trainers specialize in preventing, diagnosing, and treating muscle and bone injuries and illnesses.
            Master's degree
            $57,930**Chiropractors**
            Chiropractors evaluate and treat patients' neuromusculoskeletal system, which includes nerves, bones, muscles, ligaments, and tendons.
            Doctoral or professional degree
            $76,530**Fitness Trainers and Instructors**
            Fitness trainers and instructors lead, instruct, and motivate individuals or groups in exercise activities.
            High school diploma or equivalent
            $46,480**Health Education Specialists**
            Health education specialists develop programs to teach people about conditions affecting well-being.
            Bachelor's degree
            $62,860**Occupational Therapists**
            Occupational therapists evaluate and treat people who have injuries, illnesses, or disabilities to help them with vocational, daily living, and other skills that promote independence.
            Master's degree
            $96,370**Physical Therapists**
            Physical therapists help injured or ill people improve movement and manage pain.
            Doctoral or professional degree
            $99,710**Recreational Therapists**
            Recreational therapists plan, direct, and coordinate recreation-based medical treatment programs for people with disabilities, injuries, or illnesses.
            Bachelor's degree
            $57,120**Respiratory Therapists**
            Respiratory therapists care for patients who have trouble breathing—for example, because of a chronic condition such as asthma.
            Associate's degree
            $77,960
 Contacts for More Information
								
For more information about exercise physiologists and certifications, visit
American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM)
American Society of Exercise Physiologists (ASEP)
Clinical Exercise Physiology Association (CEPA)
For more information about accredited programs in exercise science, exercise physiology, and kinesiology, visit:
Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP)
Committee on Accreditation for the Exercise Sciences (COAES)
CareerOneStop
For a career video on exercise physiologists, visit
Exercise Physiologists

                                                
                                                        
                                                                                                    O*NET
                                        Exercise Physiologists
 Suggested citation: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S.  Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Exercise Physiologists, 
        	 at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/exercise-physiologists.htm (visited *May 21, 2024*).
 **Last Modified Date:**
                        Wednesday, April 17, 2024


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