What is an Exercise Physiologist?
Career Description 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.
List of Exercise Physiologist Job Duties
- Perform routine laboratory tests of blood samples for cholesterol level or glucose tolerance.
- Recommend methods to increase lifestyle physical activity.
- Supervise maintenance of exercise or exercise testing equipment.
- Mentor or train staff to lead group exercise.
- Teach behavior modification classes related to topics such as stress management or weight control.
- Assess physical performance requirements to aid in the development of individualized recovery or rehabilitation exercise programs.
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What Skills Do You Need to Work as an Exercise Physiologist?
Exercise Physiologists state the following job skills are important in their day-to-day work.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Writing: Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Instructing: Teaching others how to do something.
Other Exercise Physiologist Job Titles
- Director of Cardiac Rehabilitation
- Registered Clinical Exercise Physiologist
- Clinical Exercise Specialist
- Exercise Specialist
- Electrophysiology Technician
Job Opportunities for Exercise Physiologists
In 2016, there was an estimated number of 15,100 jobs in the United States for Exercise Physiologist. New jobs are being produced at a rate of 13.2% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 2,000 new jobs for Exercise Physiologist by 2026. Due to new job openings and attrition, there will be an average of 1,100 job openings in this field each year.

The states with the most job growth for Exercise Physiologist are Washington, Nevada, and Colorado. Watch out if you plan on working in Wyoming, Rhode Island, or North Dakota. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
Salary for an Exercise Physiologist
Exercise Physiologists make between $34,410 and $78,810 a year.

Exercise Physiologists who work in California, New York, or Virginia, make the highest salaries.
Below is a list of the median annual salaries for Exercise Physiologists in different U.S. states.
State | Annual Mean Salary |
---|---|
Alabama | $44,900 |
Arizona | $56,750 |
California | $89,030 |
Colorado | $49,890 |
Connecticut | $60,560 |
Delaware | $43,800 |
Florida | $55,280 |
Georgia | $51,100 |
Illinois | $55,150 |
Indiana | $49,750 |
Iowa | $49,120 |
Kentucky | $51,690 |
Louisiana | $52,800 |
Maryland | $51,860 |
Massachusetts | $56,140 |
Michigan | $48,730 |
Minnesota | $55,840 |
Mississippi | $41,570 |
Missouri | $56,130 |
New Hampshire | $52,990 |
New Jersey | $51,280 |
New York | $68,180 |
North Carolina | $47,900 |
Ohio | $51,580 |
Oklahoma | $42,240 |
Oregon | $56,880 |
Pennsylvania | $46,450 |
South Carolina | $45,610 |
South Dakota | $47,540 |
Tennessee | $49,480 |
Texas | $46,240 |
Utah | $50,440 |
Virginia | $58,560 |
Washington | $48,330 |
West Virginia | $40,440 |
Wisconsin | $53,850 |
What Tools & Technology do Exercise Physiologists Use?
Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Exercise Physiologists may use on a daily basis:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Outlook
- Web browser software
- Email software
- MEDITECH software
Becoming an Exercise Physiologist
What education is needed to be an Exercise Physiologist?

What work experience do I need to become an Exercise Physiologist?

Where do Exercise Physiologists Work?

Below are examples of industries where Exercise Physiologists work:

References:
Image Credit: Staff Sgt. Michael Ellis via Public domain
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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