How much does a exercise physiologist make?
The median exercise physiologist in the United States earns $59,460 per year, about $28.59 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all exercise physiologists earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 29-1128.
Exercise physiologist salary range
Pay for exercise physiologists spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $42,760 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $80,560. The average (mean) wage of $60,940 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $42,760 | $20.56 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $49,620 | $23.86 | |
| Median (50th) | $59,460 | $28.59 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $67,230 | $32.32 | |
| 90th percentile | $80,560 | $38.73 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for exercise physiologists (SOC 29-1128), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Exercise physiologist salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Exercise physiologists earn the most in Washington at $81,310 a year, and the least in Mississippi at $43,060. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| Washington | $81,310 | 160 |
| Oregon | $71,630 | 80 |
| Minnesota | $67,230 | 250 |
| Massachusetts | $65,950 | 180 |
| New Jersey | $64,680 | 130 |
| Colorado | $63,800 | 370 |
| New Hampshire | $63,590 | 50 |
| Wisconsin | $63,210 | 340 |
| Connecticut | $62,510 | 100 |
| California | $62,440 | 640 |
| Arizona | $62,350 | 220 |
| Maryland | $62,220 | 90 |
| Wyoming | $62,070 | N/A |
| Illinois | $60,130 | 300 |
| Florida | $60,100 | 330 |
| New York | $59,940 | 360 |
| Kansas | $59,090 | 60 |
| Georgia | $58,170 | 210 |
| Delaware | $57,940 | 90 |
| Texas | $56,780 | 520 |
| Idaho | $56,750 | 40 |
| Iowa | $56,640 | 50 |
| Nevada | $55,240 | N/A |
| Michigan | $55,080 | 570 |
| Tennessee | $53,570 | 140 |
| Missouri | $52,570 | 160 |
| Louisiana | $52,450 | 40 |
| North Carolina | $52,450 | 370 |
| Virginia | $52,400 | 240 |
| Ohio | $51,660 | 340 |
| South Dakota | $51,630 | 30 |
| Kentucky | $51,070 | 60 |
| Alabama | $50,820 | 70 |
| North Dakota | $50,430 | 50 |
| West Virginia | $50,270 | 60 |
| Indiana | $49,740 | 310 |
| Oklahoma | $49,190 | 80 |
| Arkansas | $48,850 | 40 |
| Pennsylvania | $48,040 | 640 |
| South Carolina | $46,550 | 230 |
| Utah | $43,850 | 220 |
| Mississippi | $43,060 | 30 |
State median wages for exercise physiologists (SOC 29-1128), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2025. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for exercise physiologists
The BLS projects employment of exercise physiologists to grow 12.8% from 2025 to 2035. That is much faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 21,200 jobs in 2025 moving toward 23,900 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 1,400 openings a year for exercise physiologists. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become an exercise physiologist
The typical entry-level education for exercise physiologists is a bachelor's degree, according to the BLS.
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much an exercise physiologist earns
Specialty, work setting, shift differentials, certifications, and region drive the numbers. Hospitals, surgical settings, and high cost metros pay above clinics and rural facilities.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (Washington, $81,310) and the lowest (Mississippi, $43,060) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 8,560 people work as exercise physiologists in the United States. At $59,460 a year, the job pays above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Exercise physiologist salary FAQ
How much does an exercise physiologist make an hour?
The median hourly wage for an exercise physiologist is $28.59. The middle half of exercise physiologists earn between $23.86 and $32.32 per hour.
What is the highest exercise physiologist salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of exercise physiologists earn more than $80,560 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does an exercise physiologist make a year?
The median annual salary for an exercise physiologist is $59,460. The average (mean) wage of $60,940 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being an exercise physiologist a well paid job?
At $59,460 a year, an exercise physiologist earns above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 8,560 people work as exercise physiologists in the United States.
Which state pays exercise physiologists the most?
Washington has the highest median salary for exercise physiologists at $81,310 a year. Oregon ($71,630) and Minnesota ($67,230) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being an exercise physiologist a good career?
Employment of exercise physiologists is projected to grow 12.8% from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 1,400 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become an exercise physiologist?
The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for exercise physiologists as a bachelor's degree, so a college degree is usually expected.
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