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Exercise Physiologists

Assess, plan, or implement fitness programs that include exercise or physical activities such as those designed to improve cardiorespiratory function, body composition, muscular strength, muscular endurance, or flexibility.

Median salary (BLS)

$59,460

10th–90th percentile (BLS)

$43k – $81k

Job outlook

+10% (faster than average)

AI exposure

Early-career check: graduates of the matching programs below typically earn $93,000 ten years after starting college — an early-career figure, vs. the all-experience BLS median above. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard.

Plan a path to Exercise Physiologists

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Education

Typical entry: Bachelor's degree

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How to qualify

EstimateLicense required

Cost to qualify

$40,200–$151,000

Time to qualify

4.2 yr

Renewal

$75/yr

  1. 1

    Bachelor's degree

    Degree

    Four years at public in-state rates — average published tuition & fees ≈ $11,610/yr, plus books. Private and out-of-state run higher; grant aid lowers most students' actual net price.

    $40,000–$150,000 · 4 years source

  2. 2

    National & state licensure

    License

    A national board/registry exam plus a state license application (the NCLEX pattern). Exact exam and fees depend on the role and state.

    $200–$1,000 · 2 months · varies by state · renews every 2 yr source

Estimated typical U.S. route for "Exercise Physiologists" — built from BLS education requirements and College Board 2024–25 average published prices (public, in-state tuition + fees + books). Not yet verified against a specific state's licensing rules — confirm with your state licensing board or program.

Typical progression

  1. Junior Exercise Physiologists

    Entry / Junior

    $42,760

    ~2 yrs to advance

  2. Exercise Physiologists

    Established

    $59,460

    ~3 yrs to advance

  3. Senior Exercise Physiologists

    Senior

    $70,010

Key skills

A typical day

  • •Develop exercise programs to improve participant strength, flexibility, endurance, or circulatory functioning, in accordance with exercise science standards, regulatory requirements, and credentialing requirements.
  • •Provide emergency or other appropriate medical care to participants with symptoms or signs of physical distress.
  • •Demonstrate correct use of exercise equipment or performance of exercise routines.
  • •Recommend methods to increase lifestyle physical activity.
  • •Interpret exercise program participant data to evaluate progress or identify needed program changes.

Fields of study

Any field

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Reputation-based selection; stats shown are outcome data per school.