Exercise Physiologist Salary
Exercise Physiologists earn a median $59,460 a year nationally. Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations
What exercise physiologists do
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.
- Typical education
- Bachelor's degree
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- None
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +12.8% (much faster than average)
- Openings per year
- 1,400
- Self-employed
- 59%
Employment of exercise physiologists is projected to grow 12.8% from 2025 to 2035, faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 1,400 openings are expected each year, on average, including jobs left by workers who retire or switch careers.
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Exercise Physiologist take-home pay calculator
Starts at the national median. Pick your state to see your real paycheck.
- Federal income tax$4,955
- Social Security (6.2%)$3,687
- Medicare (1.45%)$862
- Texas income tax$0
- Take-home pay$49,956
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 0.00% state
Pay by experience
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home (no state tax) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $42,760 | $20.56 | $36,538 |
| 25th percentile | $49,620 | $23.86 | $42,050 |
| Median (50th) | $59,460 | $28.59 | $49,956 |
| 75th percentile | $67,230 | $32.32 | $56,126 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $80,560 | $38.73 | $65,504 |
Exercise Physiologist salary by state
| State | Median | 1-yr change | Take-home | Range | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | $81,310 | +0.6% | $66,032 | $65,830 – $97,620 | 160 |
| Oregon | $71,630 | +3.5% | $53,784 | $56,010 – $81,260 | 80 |
| Minnesota | $67,230 | +9.0% | $53,078 | $61,640 – $95,140 | 250 |
| Massachusetts | $65,950 | −4.4% | $52,093 | $60,060 – $97,370 | 180 |
| New Jersey | $64,680 | +7.2% | $52,125 | $55,620 – $79,290 | 130 |
| Colorado | $63,800 | +4.5% | $51,345 | $45,210 – $75,350 | 370 |
| New Hampshire | $63,590 | +3.5% | $53,275 | $51,630 – $79,050 | 50 |
| Wisconsin | $63,210 | +3.8% | $50,969 | $55,100 – $77,320 | 340 |
| Connecticut | $62,510 | −8.9% | $50,519 | $46,570 – $81,740 | 100 |
| California | $62,440 | +0.8% | $49,743 | $36,970 – $106,290 | 640 |
| Arizona | $62,350 | +4.9% | $50,928 | $51,950 – $77,630 | 220 |
| Maryland | $62,220 | +4.8% | $49,582 | $50,980 – $76,130 | 90 |
| Wyoming | $62,070 | +4.7% | $52,053 | $49,620 – $97,800 | — |
| Illinois | $60,130 | −1.9% | $47,663 | $50,220 – $84,020 | 300 |
| Florida | $60,100 | −3.9% | $50,470 | $47,800 – $88,070 | 330 |
| New York | $59,940 | −18.2% | $47,702 | $53,610 – $107,800 | 360 |
| Kansas | $59,090 | +31.1% | $47,161 | $49,830 – $73,550 | 60 |
| Georgia | $58,170 | +10.0% | $46,523 | $44,980 – $80,510 | 210 |
| Delaware | $57,940 | +3.6% | $46,196 | $41,960 – $83,910 | 90 |
| Texas | $56,780 | +5.4% | $47,803 | $36,890 – $79,150 | 520 |
| Idaho | $56,750 | +6.9% | $45,879 | $49,550 – $74,650 | 40 |
| Iowa | $56,640 | +5.0% | $46,190 | $45,190 – $75,530 | 50 |
| Nevada | $55,240 | +6.2% | $46,565 | $55,230 – $60,410 | — |
| Michigan | $55,080 | +3.6% | $44,347 | $48,140 – $65,910 | 570 |
| Tennessee | $53,570 | +3.9% | $45,223 | $40,620 – $73,360 | 140 |
| Missouri | $52,570 | −7.1% | $42,887 | $46,700 – $69,260 | 160 |
| Louisiana | $52,450 | +20.6% | $43,136 | $40,410 – $81,330 | 40 |
| North Carolina | $52,450 | +3.7% | $42,740 | $43,900 – $71,270 | 370 |
| Virginia | $52,400 | −11.8% | $42,085 | $43,800 – $90,110 | 240 |
| Ohio | $51,660 | −3.7% | $43,051 | $44,310 – $71,560 | 340 |
| South Dakota | $51,630 | +0.3% | $43,665 | $48,390 – $71,540 | 30 |
| Kentucky | $51,070 | +5.8% | $41,545 | $45,960 – $64,810 | 60 |
| Alabama | $50,820 | +3.8% | $40,738 | $40,540 – $76,910 | 70 |
| North Dakota | $50,430 | — | $42,701 | $49,030 – $64,590 | 50 |
| West Virginia | $50,270 | −8.2% | $41,039 | $47,290 – $75,400 | 60 |
| Indiana | $49,740 | −18.6% | $40,708 | $34,060 – $71,130 | 310 |
| Oklahoma | $49,190 | +4.0% | $40,036 | $43,240 – $57,830 | 80 |
| Arkansas | $48,850 | +4.4% | $39,739 | $40,800 – $66,890 | 40 |
| Pennsylvania | $48,040 | −18.4% | $39,305 | $38,900 – $67,820 | 640 |
| South Carolina | $46,550 | −2.4% | $37,947 | $32,100 – $64,420 | 230 |
| Utah | $43,850 | +30.7% | $36,406 | $28,860 – $73,570 | 220 |
| Mississippi | $43,060 | — | $35,788 | $34,980 – $93,640 | 30 |
Related jobs
| Job | Median salary | Education | Growth 2025–35 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Recreational Therapist | $61,960 | Bachelor's degree | +4.8% |
| Therapists, All Other | $77,930 | Bachelor's degree | +12.6% |
| Respiratory Therapist | $82,280 | Associate's degree | +8.5% |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $97,870 | Master's degree | +16.6% |
| Occupational Therapist | $100,330 | Master's degree | +14.8% |
| Physical Therapist | $102,760 | Doctoral or professional degree | +11.9% |
| Radiation Therapist | $105,310 | Associate's degree | +2.8% |
| Acupuncturist | $76,040 | Master's degree | +8.6% |
| Dietitian and Nutritionist | $76,400 | Bachelor's degree | +7.7% |
| Chiropractor | $79,200 | Doctoral or professional degree | +8.7% |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a exercise physiologist make?
The national median salary for exercise physiologists is $59,460 a year ($28.59 an hour). The lowest-paid 10% earn under $42,760 and the top 10% earn over $80,560. Source: BLS, May 2025.
Which state pays exercise physiologists the most?
Washington has the highest median pay at $81,310.
How many exercise physiologists are there in the U.S.?
About 8,560 people work as exercise physiologists nationwide.