As of May 18, 2021, the average salary for an Exercise Physiologist in the United States is $67,652 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $33.
However, an Exercise Physiologist's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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An Exercise Physiologist's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
Experience is a primary driver of an Exercise Physiologist's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Entry Level Exercise Physiologist | $65,567 |
| Intermediate Level Exercise Physiologist | $65,760 |
| Senior Level Exercise Physiologist | $68,223 |
| Specialist Level Exercise Physiologist | $71,223 |
| Expert Level Exercise Physiologist | $71,438 |
What Am I Worth?
Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Exercise Physiologists. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Demanded Skills for the Role:
| Skills | Demand Percentage |
|---|---|
| Commitment | 2.79% |
| Patient Care | 3.77% |
| Advanced Cardiac Life Support | 1.58% |
| Skill | Salary | Salary % Increase |
|---|---|---|
|
Stress Testing
|
$75,770 |
12%
|
|
Cardiology
|
$73,741 |
9%
|
|
Blood Pressure
|
$69,682 |
3%
|
|
Patient Education
|
$69,005 |
2%
|
|
Sports Medicine
|
$68,329 |
1%
|
|
Exercise Physiology
|
$68,329 |
1%
|
Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Exercise Physiologists enter the field with a Bachelor's Degree degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.
According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for an Exercise Physiologist with a Bachelor's Degree is between $57,518 and $61,785).
Exercise Physiologist Salaries by Degree Level
| Degree Level | % of user with this level of education |
|---|---|
| No Diploma | 0.3% |
| High School | 0.3% |
| Associates | 0.8% |
| Bachelors | 41.6% |
| Masters | 55.1% |
| Doctorate | 2.2% |
Understanding how an Exercise Physiologist's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.
Last Updated on May 18, 2021For an Exercise Physiologist, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Physical Therapy Supervisor role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $107,043 - a projected growth of 58% over your current level.
Salaries for an Exercise Physiologist can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $93,397 in 2023 to around $90,396 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Exercise Physiologist salary trends, .
| Year | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 2022 |
View More
|
| 2023 | $93,397 |
| 2024 | $93,555 |
| 2025 | $90,396 |
| 2026 |
View More
|
| 2027 |
View More
|
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Compensation PlanningHere are companies hiring for Exercise Physiologist and their salaries, click below for more details.
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An Exercise Physiologist's earning potential can vary widely depending on several factors, including location, industry, experience, education, and the specific employer. According to the latest salary data by Salary.com, an Exercise Physiologist earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of an Exercise Physiologist is $85,329.
The highest pay for Exercise Physiologist is $81,489.
The lowest pay for Exercise Physiologist is $55,440.
Develops, implements, and evaluates exercise programs for patients. Conducts testing that assesses cardiovascular and metabolic effects of exercise for cardiac and musculoskeletal rehabilitation. Follows testing protocols and selects appropriate testing protocol for the patient. Monitors patient during testing. Calculates and records testing results. Coordinates with cross-functional patient care teams. May design exercise prescriptions, instructional materials, home exercise guidelines, and discharge instructions. Conducts exercise training sessions for patients. Requires a bachelor's degree in exercise physiology. Typically reports to a manager. Work is generally independent and collaborative in nature. Contributes to moderately complex aspects of a project. Typically requires 4 -7 years of related experience.
Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.
We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)
With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.
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