Healthcare Practitioners
Exercise Physiologists
Also called: Bariatric Weight Loss Counselor, Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation Practitioner, Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation Therapist, Certified Exercise Physiologist (Certified EP)
US median pay
$59,460
per year, 2025
Job growth 2025–35
+12.8%
faster than average
Openings a year (US)
1,400
21,200 employed
Typical entry education
Bachelor's degree
Preparation 4/5 · Considerable preparation
What this job is
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.
What they do day to day
- Explain exercise program or physiological testing procedures to participants.
- Develop exercise programs to improve participant strength, flexibility, endurance, or circulatory functioning, in accordance with exercise science standards, regulatory requirements, and credentialing requirements.
- Provide clinical oversight of exercise for participants at all risk levels.
- Provide emergency or other appropriate medical care to participants with symptoms or signs of physical distress.
- Interview participants to obtain medical history or assess participant goals.
- Demonstrate correct use of exercise equipment or performance of exercise routines.
- Prescribe individualized exercise programs, specifying equipment, such as treadmill, exercise bicycle, ergometers, or perceptual goggles.
- Interpret exercise program participant data to evaluate progress or identify needed program changes.
- Conduct stress tests, using electrocardiograph (EKG) machines.
- Recommend methods to increase lifestyle physical activity.
Skills and knowledge that matter most
Skills
- Instructing4.1/5
- Social Perceptiveness3.9/5
- Service Orientation3.9/5
- Judgment and Decision Making3.9/5
- Complex Problem Solving3.9/5
- Time Management3.0/5
- Systems Evaluation3.0/5
- Systems Analysis3.0/5
Knowledge
- Medicine and Dentistry4.2/5
- English Language4.2/5
- Customer and Personal Service4.2/5
- Biology4.0/5
- Education and Training3.8/5
- Psychology3.6/5
Importance rated by people working in the job (1 = not important, 5 = extremely important).
Education and preparation
Preparation level 4 of 5 — Considerable preparation. Usually a bachelor's degree and several years of related experience.
Typical entry education (BLS): Bachelor's degree.
Who this job suits
Mostly Realistic
Hands-on work with tools, machines, plants or animals
Investigative
Ideas, research and solving problems
Social
Helping, teaching and caring for people
Based on the Holland (RIASEC) interest profile for this occupation.