Exercise Physiologists
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical
Plans and adjusts exercise programs so participants gain strength, flexibility, endurance, or better circulation, following exercise-science and licensing rules. The work includes showing people how to use equipment such as treadmills, bikes, and ergometers, explaining tests, and reading their results to decide what to change. Programs are tailored by risk level, and the job includes watching for signs of physical distress and giving emergency or other medical care when needed. Advice often covers how to move more in daily life, not only during scheduled sessions. It suits people who like teaching physical skills, tracking measurable progress, and making careful decisions about safety.
Typical education: Bachelor’s Degree (4-year)
Annual Median Wage in Field (2025)
$59'460
Median Wage Market Position
$59'460
What you might do
- Design programs that build strength, flexibility, and endurance
- Prescribe workouts that specify treadmill or bike use
- Give emergency care if a participant is in distress
- Demonstrate proper form on equipment and in routines
- Interpret progress data and revise the exercise plan
- Explain testing procedures and ways to move more daily
Skills that matter
- Fitness programs for strength and endurance
- Hands-on demos of equipment and routines
- Reading participant data for needed changes
- Clear explanations of tests and workouts
- Emergency care when someone is in distress
- Clinical oversight of exercise at all risk levels
AI & the future of this role
Program design and progress tracking can lean on apps and wearables, which may cover more routine fitness planning. In-person coaching, medical clearance judgment, and motivation with complex health cases still matter, though exposure sits in a moderate range.
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Includes O*NET® 30.3 Database information by USDOL/ETA under CC BY 4.0; modified by LostInCareer. Wage/outlook from BLS. Attribution details