What Exercise Physiologists Do
Exercise physiologists develop fitness and exercise programs that help injured or sick patients recover.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3EjV0IO8CDI
Work Environment
About half of exercise physiologists are self-employed. Most others work for hospitals and other healthcare providers. Most exercise physiologists work full time.
How to Become an Exercise Physiologist
Exercise physiologists typically need at least a bachelor’s degree. Degree programs include science and health-related courses, such as biology, anatomy, kinesiology, and nutrition, as well as clinical work.
Pay
The median annual wage for exercise physiologists was $49,170 in May 2019.
Job Outlook
Employment of exercise physiologists is projected to grow 11 percent from 2019 to 2029, much faster than the average for all occupations. Demand may rise as healthcare providers emphasize exercise and preventive care to help patients recover from cardiovascular and pulmonary diseases and improve their overall health.
Exercise physiologists develop fitness and exercise programs that help patients recover from chronic diseases and improve cardiovascular function, body composition, and flexibility.
Duties
Exercise physiologists typically do the following:
- Analyze a patient’s medical history to assess their risk during exercise and to determine the best possible exercise and fitness regimen for the patient
- Perform fitness and stress tests with medical equipment and analyze the resulting patient data
- Measure blood pressure, oxygen usage, heart rhythm, and other key patient health indicators
- Develop exercise programs to improve patients’ health
Exercise physiologists work to improve overall patient health. Many of their patients suffer from health problems such as cardiovascular disease or pulmonary (lung) disease. Exercise physiologists provide health education and exercise plans to improve key health indicators.
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 patients to develop individualized treatment plans that will help the patients meet their health and fitness goals.
Exercise physiologists should not be confused with fitness trainers and instructors (including personal trainers) or athletic trainers.
Exercise physiologists held about 19,800 jobs in 2019. The largest employers of exercise physiologists were as follows:
| Self-employed workers | 62% |
| Hospitals; state, local, and private | 22 |
| Offices of physical, occupational and speech therapists, and audiologists | 4 |
| Offices of physicians | 2 |
| Government | 2 |
Work Schedules
Most exercise physiologists work full time.
This table shows a list of occupations with job duties that are similar to those of exercise physiologists.
| Occupation | Job Duties | Entry-Level Education | Median Annual Pay, May 2019 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Athletic Trainers |
Athletic trainers specialize in preventing, diagnosing, and treating muscle and bone injuries and illnesses. |
Bachelor’s degree | $48,440 | |
Nuclear Medicine Technologists |
Nuclear medicine technologists prepare radioactive drugs and administer them to patients for imaging or therapeutic purposes. |
Associate’s degree | $77,950 | |
Occupational Therapists |
Occupational therapists treat patients who have injuries, illnesses, or disabilities through the therapeutic use of everyday activities. |
Master’s degree | $84,950 | |
Physical Therapists |
Physical therapists help injured or ill people improve movement and manage pain. |
Doctoral or professional degree | $89,440 | |
Recreational Therapists |
Recreational therapists plan, direct, and coordinate recreation-based treatment programs for people with disabilities, injuries, or illnesses. |
Bachelor’s degree | $48,220 | |
Respiratory Therapists |
Respiratory therapists care for patients who have trouble breathing—for example, from a chronic respiratory disease, such as asthma or emphysema. |
Associate’s degree | $61,330 | |
Chiropractors |
Chiropractors treat patients with health problems of the neuromusculoskeletal system, which includes nerves, bones, muscles, ligaments, and tendons. |
Doctoral or professional degree | $70,340 | |
Fitness Trainers and Instructors |
Fitness trainers and instructors lead, instruct, and motivate individuals or groups in exercise activities. |
High school diploma or equivalent | $40,390 |
For more information about exercise physiologists and certifications, visit
American Society of Exercise Physiologists
American College of Sports Medicine
Committee on Accreditation for the Exercise Sciences
Clinical Exercise Physiology Association
Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs
CareerOneStop
For a career video on exercise physiologists, visit
O*NET
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 ).
