Healthcare practitioners
Exercise physiologist
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 pay
$59,460
Growth to 2035
+13%
faster than average
Openings a year
1,400
Time to qualify*
Minimal
* From a bachelor's degree in an unrelated field.
Pay
Exercise physiologist
Getting in
- Typical entry education
- Bachelor's degree
- On-the-job training
- None
- Prior experience
- None
What the work is like
Dealing with the public
Unpleasant or angry people
Time pressure
Cost of a mistake
Freedom to make decisions
Repeating the same tasks
Time sitting
Time standing
Outdoors in all weather
Exposure to disease
Exercise physiologist: 20% usually work over 40 hours a week
Core tasks
- Explain exercise program or physiological testing procedures to participants.
- Develop exercise programs to improve participant strength, flexibility, endurance, or circulatory functioning, in accordance with exercise science standards, regulatory requirements, and credentialing requirements.
- Provide clinical oversight of exercise for participants at all risk levels.
- Provide emergency or other appropriate medical care to participants with symptoms or signs of physical distress.
- Interview participants to obtain medical history or assess participant goals.
- Demonstrate correct use of exercise equipment or performance of exercise routines.
- Prescribe individualized exercise programs, specifying equipment, such as treadmill, exercise bicycle, ergometers, or perceptual goggles.
- Interpret exercise program participant data to evaluate progress or identify needed program changes.
Also called: Bariatric Weight Loss Counselor · Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation Practitioner · Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation Therapist · Certified Exercise Physiologist (Certified EP) · Clinical Cardiac Exercise Physiologist · Clinical Exercise Physiologist · Clinical Exercise Specialist · Exercise Scientist
Outlook and AI
Exercise physiologists held 21,200 jobs in 2025. BLS projects 23,900 by 2035 (+13%, faster than average; all jobs: +3.5%).
Compare with
- Exercise physiologist vs. Physician (other specialties)
- Exercise physiologist vs. Physical therapist
- Exercise physiologist vs. Physical therapist assistant
- Exercise physiologist vs. Exercise trainers and group fitness instructors
- Exercise physiologist vs. Athletic trainer
- Exercise physiologist vs. Cardiovascular technologists and technicians
- Exercise physiologist vs. Dietitians and nutritionists
- Exercise physiologist vs. Recreational therapist
- Exercise physiologist vs. Occupational therapist