How to Become a Exercise Physiologist in 2026
Quick answer: Becoming a exercise physiologist requires a 4-year degree - typically a Bachelor’s in exercise science or kinesiology. The national median pay is $59,460 per year, and BLS projects +9.5% employment change from 2024 to 2034 (BLS OEWS, May 2025; BLS Employment Projections, 2024-34).
Exercise Physiologist at a Glance
| Metric | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Median annual wage | $59,460 | BLS OEWS, May 2025 |
| Typical wage range | $42,760 (10th pct) - $80,560 (90th pct) | BLS OEWS, May 2025 |
| Projected growth (2024-34) | +9.5% | BLS Employment Projections, 2024-34 |
| Typical education | Bachelor’s in exercise science or kinesiology | BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook |
| License / certification | Licensure only in some states; ACSM certification is the field standard | State licensing boards |
What Does a Exercise Physiologist Do?
Exercise physiologists develop clinical exercise programs for patients with heart, lung, and metabolic conditions - stress testing, cardiac rehab, and physician-referred fitness plans. It is the clinical, salaried version of personal training.
Skills That Make a Great Exercise Physiologist
- Exercise testing and ECG interpretation
- Clinical program design
- Patient motivation and coaching
- Risk stratification
- Clinical documentation
How to Become a Exercise Physiologist
1. Keep training clients
Coaching experience counts - clinical employers want people who can actually cue movement.
2. Earn the bachelor’s degree
Exercise science or kinesiology; clinical coursework and practicum included.
3. Certify with ACSM
The ACSM-EP credential is the recognized standard for clinical roles.
4. Start in cardiac or pulmonary rehab
Hospitals and rehab clinics are the core employers.
5. Advance
Rehab program coordination, or continue to PA/PT graduate tracks.
Why an Online Degree Works for This Career
Personal trainers are the direct feeders: same movement science, clinical setting instead of gym floor. Online kinesiology and exercise science bachelor’s programs (with local practicum placement) are the standard route, capped by ACSM’s clinical certifications.
Exercise Physiologist Salary
| Percentile | Annual wage |
|---|---|
| 10th | $42,760 |
| 25th | $49,620 |
| 50th (median) | $59,460 |
| 75th | $67,230 |
| 90th | $80,560 |
Job Outlook
| Year | Employment |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 23,900 |
| 2034 projected | 26,100 |
| Percent change | +9.5% |
Cost and Time to Complete the Degree
For exercise physiologists, the credential is: Bachelor’s in exercise science or kinesiology. A bachelor’s degree is typically 120 credit hours: four years full-time, and commonly five to six years part-time while working. Transfer credit is the other lever: prior college, military training, apprenticeship coursework, and industry certifications can be worth a year or more at transfer-friendly schools, so get a written transfer evaluation before enrolling anywhere. Costs vary widely by school type; in-state public online programs are usually the value benchmark, and employer tuition assistance is common for working adults in this field.
Pros and Cons of Becoming a Exercise Physiologist
Pros
- Median pay of $59,460 nationally (BLS OEWS, May 2025)
- BLS projects +9.5% employment growth through 2034
- Field experience from the trades is a genuine hiring advantage
- Accredited online and hybrid degree paths exist for working adults
Cons
- Requires a 4-year degree (typically 120 credit hours)
- Entry-level pay starts near $42,760 at the 10th percentile
- Licensing hurdle: Licensure only in some states; ACSM certification is the field standard
Frequently Asked Questions
Is exercise physiology a step up from personal training?
Yes - it moves the same skill set into salaried clinical settings; BLS projects solid growth for the occupation, and the bachelor's plus ACSM certification is the entry requirement.
How much do exercise physiologists make?
The national median annual wage for exercise physiologists is $59,460 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). The top 10% earn $80,560 or more, while entry-level pay starts around $42,760.
What is the job outlook for exercise physiologists?
BLS projects employment of exercise physiologists to change by +9.5% from 2024 to 2034 (BLS Employment Projections, 2024-34).
Exercise Physiologist Salary and Requirements by State
Alabama · Arizona · Arkansas · California · Colorado · Connecticut · Delaware · Florida · Georgia · Idaho · Illinois · Indiana · Iowa · Kansas · Kentucky · Louisiana · Maryland · Massachusetts · Michigan · Minnesota · Mississippi · Missouri · Nevada · New Hampshire · New Jersey · New York · North Carolina · North Dakota · Ohio · Oklahoma · Oregon · Pennsylvania · South Carolina · South Dakota · Tennessee · Texas · Utah · Virginia · Washington · West Virginia · Wisconsin · Wyoming
Related Trade Careers
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 - Exercise Physiologists (SOC 29-1128)
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections, 2024-34
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook - education and licensing requirements
Exercise Physiologist Salary by State
About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.
Data sources
Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.
| Data | Provider | Vintage |
|---|---|---|
| Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | May 2025 |
| Employment Projections | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | 2024-2034 |
| Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System | National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS) | 2024 |
| College Scorecard (school-level outcomes) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release |
| College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release (updated 2026-06-12) |
| Occupational licensing requirements | CareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2026-02-22) |
| Registered apprenticeship programs | CareerOneStop / Apprenticeship.gov (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2025-10-25) |
| O*NET occupation profiles (skills, tasks, tools, job zones) | U.S. Department of Labor (O*NET / Employment & Training Admin.) | O*NET 29.1 (updated 2026-06-13) |