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Exercise Physiologists

	Median Wage (USD, 2024)	Projected Job Openings (2023-2033)	Projected Growth (2023-2033)
National Statistics	$58,160	1600	10.4%
State Statistics	-	-	-
City Statistics	-	-	-

Statistics

National

State

City

State

City

$58,160

Median Wage (USD, 2023)

1600

Projected Job Openings (2023-2033)

10.4%

Projected Growth (2023-2033)

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.

Experience Requirements Overview

Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.

Education, Training and Experience

Required Level of Education: Bachelor's Degree

Related Work Experience: Over 1 year, up to and including 2 years

On-Site or In-Plant Training: Up to and including 1 month

On-the-Job Training: Over 1 month, up to and including 3 months

Detailed Work Activities

Test patient heart or lung functioning.
Operate diagnostic or therapeutic medical instruments or equipment.
Demonstrate activity techniques or equipment use.
Teach exercise or fitness techniques.
Develop exercise or conditioning programs.
Explain medical procedures or test results to patients or family members.
Analyze quantitative data to determine effectiveness of treatments or therapies.
Measure the physical or physiological attributes of patients.
Test patient heart or lung functioning.
Operate diagnostic or therapeutic medical instruments or equipment.
Test biological specimens to gather information about patient conditions.
Prescribe treatments or therapies.
Monitor patient conditions during treatments, procedures, or activities.
Provide health and wellness advice to patients, program participants, or caregivers.
Teach health management classes.
Evaluate patient functioning, capabilities, or health.
Maintain medical equipment or instruments.
Advise athletes, coaches, or trainers on exercise regimens, nutrition, or equipment use.
Evaluate employee performance.
Collect medical information from patients, family members, or other medical professionals.
Train caregivers or other non-medical personnel.
Order medical diagnostic or clinical tests.
Conduct research to increase knowledge about medical issues.
Present medical research reports.
Communicate health and wellness information to the public.
Treat medical emergencies.
Maintain medical equipment or instruments.
Teach health management classes.
Train patients, family members, or caregivers in techniques for managing disabilities or illnesses.

Work Values

Achievement

Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement.

Working Conditions

Recognition

Relationships

Support

Independence

Tasks

Develop exercise programs to improve participant strength, flexibility, endurance, or circulatory functioning, in accordance with exercise science standards, regulatory requirements, and credentialing requirements.
Provide emergency or other appropriate medical care to participants with symptoms or signs of physical distress.
Demonstrate correct use of exercise equipment or performance of exercise routines.
Recommend methods to increase lifestyle physical activity.
Interpret exercise program participant data to evaluate progress or identify needed program changes.
Prescribe individualized exercise programs, specifying equipment, such as treadmill, exercise bicycle, ergometers, or perceptual goggles.
Provide clinical oversight of exercise for participants at all risk levels.
Explain exercise program or physiological testing procedures to participants.
Interview participants to obtain medical history or assess participant goals.
Assess physical performance requirements to aid in the development of individualized recovery or rehabilitation exercise programs.
Teach behavior modification classes related to topics such as stress management or weight control.
Conduct stress tests, using electrocardiograph (EKG) machines.
Measure oxygen consumption or lung functioning, using spirometers.
Educate athletes or coaches on techniques to improve athletic performance, such as heart rate monitoring, recovery techniques, hydration strategies, or training limits.
Evaluate staff performance in leading group exercise or conducting diagnostic tests.
Teach group exercise for low-, medium-, or high-risk clients to improve participant strength, flexibility, endurance, or circulatory functioning.
Calibrate exercise or testing equipment.
Teach courses or seminars related to exercise or diet for patients, athletes, or community groups.
Mentor or train staff to lead group exercise.
Measure amount of body fat, using such equipment as hydrostatic scale, skinfold calipers, or tape measures.
Perform routine laboratory tests of blood samples for cholesterol level or glucose tolerance.
Supervise maintenance of exercise or exercise testing equipment.
Present exercise knowledge, program information, or research study findings at professional meetings or conferences.
Order or recommend diagnostic procedures, such as stress tests, drug screenings, or urinary tests.
Plan or conduct exercise physiology research projects.

Work Styles

Achievement/Effort

Job requires establishing and maintaining personally challenging achievement goals and exerting effort toward mastering tasks.

Persistence

Initiative

Leadership

Cooperation

Concern for Others

Social Orientation

Self-Control

Stress Tolerance

Adaptability/Flexibility

Dependability

Attention to Detail

Integrity

Independence

Innovation

Analytical Thinking

For more information on this career visit: https://explorehealthcareers.org/careers/sports-medicine/exercise-physiologist/

Data Source: This page includes information from the O*NET 30.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. This page includes Employment Projections program, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

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