Exercise physiologist salary
BLS occupation: Exercise Physiologists · Healthcare practitioners · data for May 2025
Median salary $59,460 a year, US
Median hourly pay $28.59 an hour
Middle half earn $49,620–$67,230 25th to 75th percentile
Exercise physiologists employed 8,560 +12.8% projected by 2035
How much does an exercise physiologist make?
- The median exercise physiologist salary in the US is $59,460 a year ($28.59 an hour): half of the 8,560 exercise physiologists BLS counts earn more and half earn less. The average (mean) is $60,940.
- The middle half earn between $49,620 and $67,230. The lowest-paid 10% earn less than $42,760 and the top 10% more than $80,560.
- That is 17% more than the median for all US workers ($50,980).
- Washington pays exercise physiologists the most (median $81,310), followed by Oregon ($71,630) and Minnesota ($67,230). Mississippi pays the least ($43,060).
- After adjusting for prices, the pay goes furthest in Washington, where the median is worth $75,981 in typical US prices, then Oregon and Minnesota.
- In 5 of the 54 metro areas with data, the median exercise physiologist salary is enough to rent a typical home without spending more than 30% of income on rent.
- BLS projects the number of exercise physiologists to grow 12.8% from 2025 to 2035 (all jobs: 3.5%), with about 1,400 openings a year. The typical entry education is a bachelor's degree.
official From BLS's survey of employers: what exercise physiologists are actually paid, not job ads or self-reports. Adjusted figures are derived. How we calculate.
How does your pay compare?
Exercise physiologist salary range
Half of exercise physiologists earn between $49,620 and $67,230 a year
Yearly pay at each point of the range, US, May 2025. For comparison, the median for all US jobs is $50,980.
Lowest 10% earn under Yearly pay: $42,760
Lowest 25% earn under Yearly pay: $49,620
Median Yearly pay: $59,460
Top 25% earn over Yearly pay: $67,230
Top 10% earn over Yearly pay: $80,560
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025.
Show the numbers
| Yearly pay | |
|---|---|
| Lowest 10% earn under | $42,760 |
| Lowest 25% earn under | $49,620 |
| Median | $59,460 |
| Top 25% earn over | $67,230 |
| Top 10% earn over | $80,560 |
Exercise physiologist salary by state
Washington pays exercise physiologists the most; Mississippi the least
Median yearly pay by state compared with the US median ($59,460), May 2025. Blue = higher pay.
- 20%+ below US
- 10–20% below
- 3–10% below
- Within 3%
- 3–10% above
- 10–20% above
- 20%+ above US
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025.
Show the numbers
| State | Median pay |
|---|---|
| Washington | $81,310 median |
| Oregon | $71,630 median |
| Minnesota | $67,230 median |
| Massachusetts | $65,950 median |
| New Jersey | $64,680 median |
| Colorado | $63,800 median |
| New Hampshire | $63,590 median |
| Wisconsin | $63,210 median |
| Connecticut | $62,510 median |
| California | $62,440 median |
| Arizona | $62,350 median |
| Maryland | $62,220 median |
| Wyoming | $62,070 median |
| Illinois | $60,130 median |
| Florida | $60,100 median |
| New York | $59,940 median |
| Kansas | $59,090 median |
| Georgia | $58,170 median |
| Delaware | $57,940 median |
| Texas | $56,780 median |
| Idaho | $56,750 median |
| Iowa | $56,640 median |
| Nevada | $55,240 median |
| Michigan | $55,080 median |
| Tennessee | $53,570 median |
| Missouri | $52,570 median |
| Louisiana | $52,450 median |
| North Carolina | $52,450 median |
| Virginia | $52,400 median |
| Ohio | $51,660 median |
| South Dakota | $51,630 median |
| Kentucky | $51,070 median |
| Alabama | $50,820 median |
| North Dakota | $50,430 median |
| West Virginia | $50,270 median |
| Indiana | $49,740 median |
| Oklahoma | $49,190 median |
| Arkansas | $48,850 median |
| Pennsylvania | $48,040 median |
| South Carolina | $46,550 median |
| Utah | $43,850 median |
| Mississippi | $43,060 median |
Where exercise physiologist pay goes furthest
A salary buys more where prices are low. We divide each state's median by its price level from the Bureau of Economic Analysis, so every figure is in typical US prices. derived
Exercise physiologists' pay goes furthest in Washington once prices are counted
Median pay ÷ the state's price level (BEA, 2024; US = 100), shown in typical US prices. Top 10 states.
US median
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025; BEA Regional Price Parities 2024. Our calculation.
Show the numbers
| Worth, in US prices | |
|---|---|
| Washington | $75,981 |
| Oregon | $69,301 |
| Minnesota | $68,170 |
| Wisconsin | $67,177 |
| Wyoming | $66,964 |
| Kansas | $65,606 |
| Iowa | $64,538 |
| Massachusetts | $62,360 |
| Arizona | $61,931 |
| Colorado | $61,910 |
Exercise physiologist pay in every state
| State | Median a year | Hourly | Lowest 10% | Top 10% | Employed | After cost of living |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | $81,310 | $39.09 | $65,830 | $97,620 | 160 | $75,981 |
| Oregon | $71,630 | $34.44 | $56,010 | $81,260 | 80 | $69,301 |
| Minnesota | $67,230 | $32.32 | $61,640 | $95,140 | 250 | $68,170 |
| Massachusetts | $65,950 | $31.71 | $60,060 | $97,370 | 180 | $62,360 |
| New Jersey | $64,680 | $31.10 | $55,620 | $79,290 | 130 | $59,446 |
| Colorado | $63,800 | $30.67 | $45,210 | $75,350 | 370 | $61,910 |
| New Hampshire | $63,590 | $30.57 | $51,630 | $79,050 | 50 | $61,047 |
| Wisconsin | $63,210 | $30.39 | $55,100 | $77,320 | 340 | $67,177 |
| Connecticut | $62,510 | $30.05 | $46,570 | $81,740 | 100 | $60,332 |
| California | $62,440 | $30.02 | $36,970 | $106,290 | 640 | $56,395 |
| Arizona | $62,350 | $29.98 | $51,950 | $77,630 | 220 | $61,931 |
| Maryland | $62,220 | $29.91 | $50,980 | $76,130 | 90 | $59,280 |
| Wyoming | $62,070 | $29.84 | $49,620 | $97,800 | – | $66,964 |
| Illinois | $60,130 | $28.91 | $50,220 | $84,020 | 300 | $60,155 |
| Florida | $60,100 | $28.89 | $47,800 | $88,070 | 330 | $58,116 |
| New York | $59,940 | $28.82 | $53,610 | $107,800 | 360 | $55,541 |
| Kansas | $59,090 | $28.41 | $49,830 | $73,550 | 60 | $65,606 |
| Georgia | $58,170 | $27.97 | $44,980 | $80,510 | 210 | $60,409 |
| Delaware | $57,940 | $27.86 | $41,960 | $83,910 | 90 | $58,051 |
| Texas | $56,780 | $27.30 | $36,890 | $79,150 | 520 | $58,502 |
| Idaho | $56,750 | $27.28 | $49,550 | $74,650 | 40 | $59,428 |
| Iowa | $56,640 | $27.23 | $45,190 | $75,530 | 50 | $64,538 |
| Nevada | $55,240 | $26.56 | $55,230 | $60,410 | – | $55,252 |
| Michigan | $55,080 | $26.48 | $48,140 | $65,910 | 570 | $57,246 |
| Tennessee | $53,570 | $25.75 | $40,620 | $73,360 | 140 | $58,311 |
| Missouri | $52,570 | $25.27 | $46,700 | $69,260 | 160 | $57,886 |
| Louisiana | $52,450 | $25.22 | $40,410 | $81,330 | 40 | $59,462 |
| North Carolina | $52,450 | $25.22 | $43,900 | $71,270 | 370 | $55,605 |
| Virginia | $52,400 | $25.19 | $43,800 | $90,110 | 240 | $51,828 |
| Ohio | $51,660 | $24.84 | $44,310 | $71,560 | 340 | $55,684 |
| South Dakota | $51,630 | $24.82 | $48,390 | $71,540 | 30 | $58,282 |
| Kentucky | $51,070 | $24.55 | $45,960 | $64,810 | 60 | $56,644 |
| Alabama | $50,820 | $24.43 | $40,540 | $76,910 | 70 | $57,215 |
| North Dakota | $50,430 | $24.25 | $49,030 | $64,590 | 50 | $56,689 |
| West Virginia | $50,270 | $24.17 | $47,290 | $75,400 | 60 | $56,169 |
| Indiana | $49,740 | $23.91 | $34,060 | $71,130 | 310 | $53,295 |
| Oklahoma | $49,190 | $23.65 | $43,240 | $57,830 | 80 | $55,998 |
| Arkansas | $48,850 | $23.49 | $40,800 | $66,890 | 40 | $56,190 |
| Pennsylvania | $48,040 | $23.10 | $38,900 | $67,820 | 640 | $49,235 |
| South Carolina | $46,550 | $22.38 | $32,100 | $64,420 | 230 | $49,654 |
| Utah | $43,850 | $21.08 | $28,860 | $73,570 | 220 | $44,354 |
| Mississippi | $43,060 | $20.70 | $34,980 | $93,640 | 30 | $49,521 |
BLS does not publish pay for exercise physiologists in 9 states (too few workers to estimate reliably). After cost of living = median ÷ (BEA price level ÷ 100).
Exercise physiologist salary by city
Metro areas where BLS publishes exercise physiologist pay: 54 of 387. Rent share = typical rent (September 2026, Zillow) × 12 ÷ the median salary; under 30% is affordable by the usual rule.
Highest-paying metro areas
- Seattle, WA $84,300
- Los Angeles, CA $79,840
- Portland, OR $74,380
- Denver, CO $72,760
- Minneapolis, MN $68,560
- Phoenix, AZ $66,210
- Madison, WI $66,100
- Raleigh, NC $66,060
- Nashville, TN $64,610
- Boston, MA $64,170
Where the pay goes furthest
- Seattle, WA $75,855
- Portland, OR $70,555
- Los Angeles, CA $70,303
- Denver, CO $68,783
- Madison, WI $67,943
- Raleigh, NC $67,300
- Nashville, TN $67,066
- Kansas City, MO $66,564
- Minneapolis, MN $65,406
- Richmond, VA $65,237
All 54 metro areas
| Metro area | Median a year | Employed | After cost of living | Rent share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seattle, WA | $84,300 | 100 | $75,855 | 32% |
| Los Angeles, CA | $79,840 | – | $70,303 | 44% |
| Portland, OR | $74,380 | 50 | $70,555 | 29% |
| Denver, CO | $72,760 | 260 | $68,783 | 31% |
| Minneapolis, MN | $68,560 | 180 | $65,406 | 30% |
| Phoenix, AZ | $66,210 | 180 | $64,085 | 31% |
| Madison, WI | $66,100 | 50 | $67,943 | 32% |
| Raleigh, NC | $66,060 | 30 | $67,300 | 30% |
| Nashville, TN | $64,610 | 40 | $67,066 | 33% |
| Boston, MA | $64,170 | 150 | $59,271 | 56% |
| San Jose, CA | $63,960 | 40 | $57,923 | 72% |
| Richmond, VA | $63,840 | 60 | $65,237 | 32% |
| Sacramento, CA | $63,730 | – | $59,745 | 43% |
| Chicago, IL | $63,570 | 220 | $61,364 | 41% |
| Washington, DC | $63,480 | 90 | $58,301 | 46% |
| Miami, FL | $62,680 | 90 | $54,908 | 51% |
| Hartford, CT | $62,670 | 30 | $60,995 | 38% |
| San Francisco, CA | $62,440 | – | $54,008 | 66% |
| Tampa, FL | $62,200 | 60 | $61,651 | 38% |
| Milwaukee, WI | $61,640 | 90 | $63,588 | 30% |
| Kansas City, MO | $61,600 | 70 | $66,564 | 30% |
| Cincinnati, OH | $61,510 | 40 | $64,496 | 30% |
| Baltimore, MD | $61,430 | 40 | $58,792 | 38% |
| New York, NY | $61,380 | 330 | $54,529 | 69% |
| Ogden, UT | $61,170 | 40 | $60,957 | 32% |
| Atlanta, GA | $60,360 | 120 | $60,325 | 37% |
| Dayton, OH | $59,650 | – | $64,352 | 27% |
| Grand Rapids, MI | $58,770 | 50 | $61,510 | 33% |
| Dallas, TX | $58,580 | 130 | $56,824 | 34% |
| Jacksonville, FL | $58,520 | 30 | $58,824 | 34% |
| Cleveland, OH | $58,400 | 70 | $62,179 | 30% |
| Allentown, PA | $58,260 | 50 | $58,279 | 38% |
| Austin, TX | $57,640 | 30 | $58,777 | 33% |
| Houston, TX | $57,590 | 120 | $58,391 | 34% |
| San Diego, CA | $55,770 | 80 | $49,845 | 64% |
| Detroit, MI | $55,700 | 220 | $55,535 | 33% |
| Las Vegas, NV | $55,230 | – | $55,112 | 38% |
| Wilmington, NC | $55,200 | 40 | $57,248 | 38% |
| San Antonio, TX | $53,480 | 50 | $56,464 | 32% |
| Charlotte, NC | $53,250 | 110 | $54,701 | 39% |
| Colorado Springs, CO | $52,950 | 40 | $52,578 | 40% |
| Riverside, CA | $52,950 | 50 | $49,745 | 57% |
| Orlando, FL | $51,810 | 40 | $51,086 | 45% |
| Columbus, OH | $51,230 | 60 | $53,661 | 36% |
| St. Louis, MO | $50,470 | – | $53,077 | 34% |
| Winston-Salem, NC | $50,230 | 40 | $54,572 | 37% |
| Harrisburg, PA | $50,140 | 30 | $50,826 | 35% |
| Philadelphia, PA | $49,260 | 370 | $48,033 | 46% |
| Columbia, SC | $48,800 | 80 | $52,102 | 38% |
| Akron, OH | $48,710 | 30 | $52,169 | 32% |
| Indianapolis, IN | $48,220 | 160 | $50,389 | 38% |
| Virginia Beach, VA | $45,830 | 80 | $46,793 | 49% |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $42,240 | 130 | $44,618 | 42% |
| Salt Lake City, UT | $28,860 | 120 | $28,612 | 68% |
What the median exercise physiologist salary pays per paycheck
| Period | Before taxes |
|---|---|
| Year | $59,460 |
| Month | $4,955 |
| Every two weeks | $2,287 |
| Week | $1,143 |
| Hour | $28.59 |
Gross pay, 52 weeks a year, 2,080 hours. Hourly to salary calculator.
Becoming an exercise physiologist: education and job outlook
| Typical entry education | Bachelor's degree |
|---|---|
| Work experience needed | None |
| On-the-job training | None |
| Projected change in jobs, 2025–35 | +12.8% (all jobs: +3.5%) |
| Openings a year (average) | 1,400 |
| Self-employed | 58.9% |
official BLS Employment Projections, 2025–35. Openings include workers who retire or change jobs. What the work involves: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Similar jobs
| Job | Median a year | Typical education |
|---|---|---|
| Ultrasound tech | $96,590 | Associate's degree |
| Vet tech | $47,380 | Associate's degree |
| Speech-language pathologist | $97,870 | Master's degree |
| Physician assistant | $135,880 | Master's degree |
| Nurse practitioner | $132,300 | Master's degree |
| Medical lab tech | $62,930 | Bachelor's degree |
| MRI tech | $95,480 | Associate's degree |
| CRNA | $236,590 | Master's degree |
Questions about exercise physiologist pay
How much does an exercise physiologist make an hour?
The median is $28.59 an hour. The lowest-paid 10% earn under $20.56 and the top 10% over $38.73.
How much does an exercise physiologist make a month?
About $4,955 a month before taxes at the median salary of $59,460, or $2,287 every two weeks.
What state pays exercise physiologists the most?
Washington, with a median of $81,310. Oregon ($71,630), Minnesota ($67,230), Massachusetts ($65,950) and New Jersey ($64,680) follow.
Where do exercise physiologists make the most after cost of living?
Washington: its median of $81,310 is worth $75,981 at typical US prices. Oregon, Minnesota and Wisconsin come next.
How much do entry-level exercise physiologists make?
BLS does not report pay by experience. The lowest-paid 10% of exercise physiologists earn under $42,760 a year, and the lowest-paid quarter under $49,620, which is a reasonable guide to starting pay.
What education do you need to become an exercise physiologist?
BLS lists the typical entry-level education as a bachelor's degree. Work experience in a related job: none. On-the-job training: none.
Sources and limits
- Pay and employment: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation 29-1128 (Exercise Physiologists). Downloaded 2026-10-24.
- OEWS counts wage and salary workers at employers, including tips and commissions but not overtime pay, bonuses that are not tied to production, or benefits. It leaves out the self-employed. BLS does not publish figures above $239,200 a year or for states and metro areas with too few workers.
- Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024 (US = 100). Rents: Zillow Observed Rent Index, September 2026; Data Provided by Zillow Group.
- Outlook and education: BLS Employment Projections, 2025–35.
- Pay is not broken down by experience, employer or specialty (for example, ER or pediatric nursing); BLS does not publish those splits.