Earning Potential with an Exercise Science Degree (2024)

Key Takeaways

Exercise Science Salaries vary by job role, location, experience, and specialization, but the U.S. average is around $45,175 annually.
Higher earnings are possible with advanced degrees, specializations, and certifications.
Geographic location significantly affects salary. It is much higher in places like New York and California.
Top careers for exercise science grads include athletic directors, clinical exercise physiologists, and physical therapy assistants.

An exercise science degree offers you an understanding of the human body’s response to physical activity. This allows you to then design effective exercise programs that are tailored to the various needs of the people you’re working with. It is an important field in the health and fitness industry. Exercise science enhances sports performance and prevents and treats chronic diseases. It is a career that promotes general health and wellness.

Your earnings when it comes to Exercise Science salary potential can vary. Your chosen career path, geographical location, and level of experience will change you’re beginning salary range. Continuing after college to earn certifications can increase your earning potential. Those who graduate with an exercise science degree often find careers as fitness trainers, exercise physiologists, strength and conditioning coaches, and wellness program managers.

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Exercise Science Salary Potential

The average salary for exercise science graduates in the United States is around $45,175 annually. However, exercise science degree earnings can vary widely. For instance, your median fitness trainers and instructors can earn an annual wage of around $39,000. Whereas exercise physiologists working in a rehabilitation center could earn closer to $49,000 per year.

Factors Affecting the Average Salary of Exercise Science Graduates

Geographic Location: Your location will affect your potential salary. Exercise science roles in New York and California offer higher salaries closer to $70,000. Similar roles in Texas averaged around $50,000.
Experience: Entry-level positions will start at the lower end of the salary spectrum. More experienced professionals can earn higher wages. A salary increase may depend on developing a professional reputation and making connections in your industry.
Specialization: Specializing in certain areas of exercise science can change your exercise science degree earnings. Specializing in nutrition or physical therapy can open new and more lucrative doors. These specializations require additional expertise and capabilities.

Top Paying Jobs in Exercise Science

Exercise Science career income can be adjusted by the specialization you choose. This particular degree opens doors to various high-paying careers. Each of these careers requires a unique blend of skills, education, and experience. Here are some of the top-paying jobs in exercise science out there for those with exercise science degrees:

Athletic Director: You would manage sports programs at educational institutions. You can expect an average salary of around $84,000 per year. This particular position requires leadership skills and extensive experience.
Physical Therapy Assistant: You would be able to assist in patient recovery under a licensed physical therapist. As an assistant, you could earn a salary between $54,000 and $62,000 per year. This position requires an associate’s degree and special licensing.
Strength and Conditioning Coach: You would develop fitness programs for athletes. The average salaries range between $39,000 and $53,000 per year. A strength and conditioning coach requires certifications like those from the NSCA.
Fitness/Personal Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors: Of all the income opportunities with exercise science degrees, becoming a fitness or personal trainer is the most popular. This particular group is expected to grow 19% through 2031. You can earn significant income, especially if you have an advanced degree from an accredited university. The higher-level positions can exceed $100,000 annually.
Sports Coach: The field of coaches is expected to grow 20% by 2031. Getting an advanced degree in strength and conditioning can lead to specialized coaching duties. Specialization means a higher salary in the range of $39,000 to $53,000 per year.
Fitness and Wellness Business Owners: Combining your degree with a minor in business can earn you substantially more. If you own your own business and personal training and wellness coaching, you’re opening yourself up for extensive opportunities.
Golf Performance Coaches/Trainers: By specializing in enhancing golf performance, you can find a very lucrative career. Those with a master’s degree in advanced golf performance can earn a significant yearly income.
Wellness/Health Coaches: This field is expected to grow 17% by 2030. You can significantly increase your earning potential with a master’s degree.
Tactical Strength & Conditioning Coach: Specialize your coaching to work specifically with military and first responders. They’re in high demand and can lead you into a lucrative career.

Exercise Science Career Income

Personal training, corporate wellness, and rehabilitation are some of the most popular careers in exercise science. Your income opportunities with an exercise science degree can range from $40,000 to $100,000 annually. As a personal trainer alone, the income range can vary from the average of $40,000 per year to as much as $100,000. Professionals in corporate wellness earn substantially more if they hold senior or managerial positions. If you decide to choose a career in rehabilitation, you’re looking at getting an advanced degree. But with that advanced degree, you can increase your earnings from about $43,000 a year up to $91,000 per year.

You can boost your earning potential in exercise science with certifications and specializations. You can increase your exercise science salary potential by becoming a certified strength and conditioning coach. By specializing in exercise physiology, sports nutrition, or stress management, you can increase your earning potential. Increase your career options with practical experience and certifications.

Exercise Science Salary by Region

The field of exercise science is one that can vary depending on your geographic location. This changes due to local demand, the cost of living, and certain economic conditions.

Higher Paying Regions in the U.S.

Areas like Washington, D.C., Connecticut, and California often offer higher salaries. Exercise science professionals in Washington, D.C., can earn around $77,000 annually. It’s the highest-paying region in the U.S. for this field. California also ranks high, at around $65,000 per year. Higher demand for health and wellness professionals and a higher cost of living mean higher pay.

Lower Paying Regions in the U.S.

States like Alaska and Arizona often offer lower average salaries. In these areas, you can expect to earn, on average, $45,000 to $50,000. These are well below the national average and more likely due to lower local demand and varying economic conditions.

International Opportunities

Much like in the US, international opportunities will also vary widely. More developed countries will offer higher wages comparable to US standards. However, be aware that international opportunities will often require getting local certifications. Countries in Western Europe, Canada, and Australia will offer competitive salaries.

Income Opportunities with an Exercise Science Degree

There are some nontraditional opportunities when it comes to exercise science graduate salaries. You can become a consultant. In areas like corporate wellness, ergonomics, and health promotion, a consultant can offer expertise to businesses and organizations. You would design wellness programs, conduct workplace health assessments, and teach health and fitness strategies.

Many exercise science professionals also start their own businesses. Entrepreneurship is very popular, and it can be quite lucrative. This could range from opening a fitness center or a Wellness clinic to launching a health and fitness app or even your own equipment line.

Digital platforms offer another opportunity for online fitness coaching. You would use an online platform to offer personalized training and dietary advice. Depending on the number of clients, the pricing model, and your reputation, your earnings can be quite high.

Earning Potential in Exercise Science

Your long-term prospects with a degree in exercise science can be quite promising. investing in education and specialization in high-demand areas means a regular increase in earning potential.

To maximize your earnings in these degrees, it is essential to continually educate. You can do this by pursuing higher degrees like a master’s or doctorate. These open up advanced positions like kinesiology or exercise physiology. Certifications in strength and conditioning, cardiac rehabilitation, or sports nutrition can also provide you with credentials that can lead to higher salaries through specialized roles.

Financial Benefits of an Exercise Science Degree

In general, exercise science degrees offer a positive ROI. This is particularly so for those who pursue a higher degree in certifications. The upfront cost of an exercise science degree can be substantial, but the long-term earnings can offset these costs. Exercise physiologists earn an average salary of approximately $54,000 per year, while physical therapists can earn $91,000 per year. The difference here suggests that higher educational training brings higher earnings. Exercise science degrees do need continued education to achieve significant financial benefits.

Conclusion

An exercise science degree is a great path for someone who wants the role of a physical therapist, a coach, or an exercise physiologist. Going after an advanced degree or specialized certifications can offer you higher earnings and greater job security. A proactive career plan with constant skill development and education will allow you to capitalize on your exercise science degree.

Maximize your career in exercise science by engaging with career counselors and attending industry seminars and workshops. Joining professional networks and associations that are related to your career path. Access to industry experts, potential mentors, and a community of peers will offer you support and guidance to make your career a success.