How to Become a Exercise Physiologist in California: Salary & Requirements (2026)
Quick answer: The median exercise physiologist salary in California is $62,440 per year - 5% above the national median of $59,460 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). The career requires a 4-year degree: Bachelor’s in exercise science or kinesiology.
How to Become a Exercise Physiologist in California
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.
Requirements in California
The education path is national - Bachelor’s in exercise science or kinesiology. Licensure only in some states; ACSM certification is the field standard. Confirm current California rules before you enroll, as details change. Do not assume a statewide occupational license exists.
Exercise Physiologist Salary in California
| Wage level | Annual salary |
|---|---|
| California entry level (10th percentile) | $36,970 |
| California 25th-75th percentile | $54,900 - $81,330 |
| California median | $62,440 |
| California top earners (90th percentile) | $106,290 |
| U.S. median | $59,460 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. State employment: 640.
The California Job Market: Exercise Physiologist
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Employed in California | 640 |
| Jobs per 1,000 in the state | 0.04 |
| Concentration vs U.S. (location quotient) | 0.64 |
| Mean annual wage in California | $69,250 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. With a location quotient of 0.64, California employs exercise physiologists at a lower concentration than the national average; expect fewer openings per capita and weigh relocation or remote-friendly specialties.
Salary Nationwide
| 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% |
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a exercise physiologist make in California?
The median annual wage for exercise physiologists in California is $62,440 (BLS OEWS, May 2025), 5% above the national median of $59,460.
How to become a exercise physiologist in California?
The core path is the same nationwide - Bachelor's in exercise science or kinesiology. Licensure only in some states; ACSM certification is the field standard. Confirm current California rules; this occupation is not licensed in every state. See the steps on this page.
How many exercise physiologists work in California?
BLS counts about 640 exercise physiologists employed in California (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
Exercise Physiologist in Nearby States
- Exercise Physiologist in Arizona
- Exercise Physiologist in Arkansas
- Exercise Physiologist in Colorado
- Exercise Physiologist in Connecticut
Related
- How to Become a Exercise Physiologist (national guide)
- All Trade Careers That Require a 4-Year Degree
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 - Exercise Physiologists (SOC 29-1128), California and national
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections, 2024-34
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) |