Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
As of October 2025, the average salary for a Clinical Exercise Physiologist in the United States is around $53,276 per year. This figure reflects the growing demand for professionals who develop exercise programs to enhance patients' health and wellness. Salaries can vary significantly based on location, experience, and the specific healthcare setting. For instance, states like California and New York often offer higher compensation compared to others.
When considering a career in clinical exercise physiology, examining salary by state is vital. For example, states such as California and Washington report average salaries exceeding $60,000, while opportunities in regions with lower demand may offer salaries closer to $45,000. It’s also important to consider the cost of living in these areas.
Positions for Clinical Exercise Physiologists are available in various settings, including hospitals, rehabilitation centers, and private practices. Additionally, further specialization can lead to higher-paying roles, such as cardiac rehabilitation or sports physiology. By pursuing certifications and advanced training, professionals can enhance their earning potential and career prospects.
Let Zippia find your next clinical exercise physiologist job
Let Zippia find your next clinical exercise physiologist job
The average clinical exercise physiologist salary in New Jersey, California, and Alaska are the highest in the U.S. The lowest average clinical exercise physiologist salary states are Texas, Georgia, and New Mexico.
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New Jersey | $70,651 | $33.97 |
| 2 | California | $68,839 | $33.10 |
| 3 | Alaska | $68,180 | $32.78 |
| 4 | New York | $65,008 | $31.25 |
| 5 | North Dakota | $59,365 | $28.54 |
| 6 | Rhode Island | $55,942 | $26.90 |
| 7 | Wisconsin | $58,316 | $28.04 |
| 8 | Indiana | $57,709 | $27.74 |
| 9 | West Virginia | $52,456 | $25.22 |
| 10 | Pennsylvania | $57,841 | $27.81 |
| 11 | Nevada | $59,203 | $28.46 |
| 12 | Delaware | $61,387 | $29.51 |
| 13 | Mississippi | $56,398 | $27.11 |
| 14 | North Carolina | $56,492 | $27.16 |
| 15 | Arizona | $52,427 | $25.21 |
| 16 | Iowa | $54,879 | $26.38 |
| 17 | Nebraska | $53,682 | $25.81 |
| 18 | Wyoming | $50,873 | $24.46 |
| 19 | Utah | $55,687 | $26.77 |
| 20 | Missouri | $53,402 | $25.67 |
| 21 | Washington | $54,136 | $26.03 |
| 22 | District of Columbia | $60,358 | $29.02 |
| 23 | Louisiana | $49,687 | $23.89 |
| 24 | Minnesota | $54,693 | $26.29 |
| 25 | Vermont | $49,185 | $23.65 |
| 26 | Oregon | $52,375 | $25.18 |
| 27 | Connecticut | $58,263 | $28.01 |
| 28 | Montana | $48,623 | $23.38 |
| 29 | South Dakota | $47,110 | $22.65 |
| 30 | Ohio | $51,873 | $24.94 |
| 31 | Maine | $46,831 | $22.51 |
| 32 | Hawaii | $50,768 | $24.41 |
| 33 | New Hampshire | $51,899 | $24.95 |
| 34 | Massachusetts | $54,035 | $25.98 |
| 35 | Illinois | $51,096 | $24.57 |
| 36 | Kentucky | $47,891 | $23.02 |
| 37 | Michigan | $48,419 | $23.28 |
| 38 | South Carolina | $47,732 | $22.95 |
| 39 | Idaho | $51,217 | $24.62 |
| 40 | Florida | $46,382 | $22.30 |
| 41 | Virginia | $51,942 | $24.97 |
| 42 | Maryland | $49,785 | $23.94 |
| 43 | Kansas | $44,927 | $21.60 |
| 44 | Alabama | $48,024 | $23.09 |
| 45 | New Mexico | $42,853 | $20.60 |
| 46 | Tennessee | $42,156 | $20.27 |
| 47 | Oklahoma | $41,626 | $20.01 |
| 48 | Texas | $43,625 | $20.97 |
| 49 | Colorado | $44,059 | $21.18 |
| 50 | Georgia | $43,624 | $20.97 |
| 51 | Arkansas | $38,491 | $18.51 |
The highest-paying cities for clinical exercise physiologists are Bakersfield, CA, New York, NY, and Janesville, WI.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bakersfield, CA | $69,129 | $33.24 |
| 2 | New York, NY | $65,450 | $31.47 |
| 3 | Janesville, WI | $58,154 | $27.96 |
| 4 | Indianapolis, IN | $57,319 | $27.56 |
| 5 | Altoona, PA | $56,354 | $27.09 |
| 6 | Charlotte, NC | $54,642 | $26.27 |
| 7 | Duluth, MN | $54,527 | $26.21 |
| 8 | Seattle, WA | $54,447 | $26.18 |
| 9 | Boston, MA | $53,583 | $25.76 |
| 10 | Springfield, OR | $52,823 | $25.40 |
| 11 | Chandler, AZ | $52,444 | $25.21 |
| 12 | Alexandria, VA | $52,284 | $25.14 |
| 13 | Mobile, AL | $50,019 | $24.05 |
| 14 | Baltimore, MD | $49,930 | $24.00 |
| 15 | Delray Beach, FL | $46,329 | $22.27 |
| 16 | Littleton, CO | $44,041 | $21.17 |
| 17 | Atlanta, GA | $43,470 | $20.90 |
| 18 | Fort Worth, TX | $42,146 | $20.26 |
A clinical exercise physiologist's salary ranges from $29,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $95,000 at the 90th percentile.

| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $95,000 | $7,917 | $46 |
| 75th Percentile | $72,000 | $6,000 | $35 |
| Average | $53,276 | $4,440 | $26 |
| 25th Percentile | $39,000 | $3,250 | $19 |
| 10th Percentile | $29,000 | $2,417 | $14 |
The highest paying types of clinical exercise physiologists are director of cardiac rehabilitation, bariatric weight loss clinic manager and counselor, and physical therapist.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Certified Athletic Trainer | $47,184 | $3,932 | $22.68 | 90,171 |
| Athletic Trainer | $47,028 | $3,919 | $22.61 | 56,812 |
| Cardiovascular Technician | $62,986 | $5,249 | $30.28 | 37,036 |
| Rehabilitation Technician | $29,533 | $2,461 | $14.20 | 31,196 |
| Physical Therapy Internship | $71,624 | $5,969 | $34.43 | 127,064 |
| Physical Therapist | $73,070 | $6,089 | $35.13 | 86,697 |
How would you rate the starting salaries for clinical exercise physiologists, as well as the prospects for salary advancement?
Clinton Brawner Ph.D.
Clinical Exercise Physiology Core Laboratory Edith and Benson Ford Heart & Vascular Institute, Henry Ford Hospital
Top companies hiring clinical exercise physiologists now:
Clinical exercise physiologist salaries at Boston Medical Center and University of California are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average clinical exercise physiologist salary at companies like University of Maryland Medical System and Oak Grove Tech are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Boston Medical Center | $77,724 | $37.37 |
| 2 | University of California | $77,383 | $37.20 |
| 3 | University of Maryland Medical System | $75,916 | $36.50 |
| 4 | Oak Grove Tech | $72,079 | $34.65 |
| 5 | Cedars-Sinai | $67,504 | $32.45 |
| 6 | Memorial Healthcare System | $63,514 | $30.54 |
| 7 | Novant Health | $62,632 | $30.11 |
| 8 | PeaceHealth | $59,697 | $28.70 |
| 9 | Highmark | $59,332 | $28.52 |
| 10 | University of Washington | $57,098 | $27.45 |
| 11 | Mayo Clinic | $56,750 | $27.28 |
| 12 | LifeScan | $56,584 | $27.20 |
| 13 | The University System of Maryland Foundation | $54,701 | $26.30 |
| 14 | Beaufort Memorial Hospital | $54,682 | $26.29 |
| 15 | Franciscan Health | $50,899 | $24.47 |
| 16 | Ashe Memorial Hospital | $50,374 | $24.22 |
| 17 | Mercy Health | $48,258 | $23.20 |
| 18 | UPMC | $48,026 | $23.09 |
| 19 | Banner Health | $48,023 | $23.09 |
| 20 | Essentia Health | $46,083 | $22.16 |
The average clinical exercise physiologist salary has risen by $1,229 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average clinical exercise physiologist earned $52,047 annually, but today, they earn $53,276 a year. That works out to a 6% change in pay for clinical exercise physiologists over the last decade.
Compare clinical exercise physiologist salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Compare clinical exercise physiologist salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $53,300 | $25.61 | +2.2% |
| 2024 | $52,100 | $25.05 | -0.2% |
| 2023 | $52,200 | $25.10 | +0.4% |
| 2022 | $52,000 | $25.01 | +3.6% |
| 2021 | $50,200 | $24.12 | +0.7% |
Search for clinical exercise physiologist jobs