Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
The differences between medical specialists and exercise specialists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 6-12 months to become a medical specialist, becoming an exercise specialist takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, an exercise specialist has an average salary of $41,669, which is higher than the $40,277 average annual salary of a medical specialist.
The top three skills for a medical specialist include patients, customer service and patient care. The most important skills for an exercise specialist are patients, rehabilitation, and patient care.
| Medical Specialist | Exercise Specialist | |
| Yearly salary | $40,277 | $41,669 |
| Hourly rate | $19.36 | $20.03 |
| Growth rate | 16% | 9% |
| Number of jobs | 68,607 | 38,198 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 40% | Bachelor's Degree, 79% |
| Average age | 37 | 38 |
| Years of experience | 12 | 2 |
Medical specialists are responsible for diagnosing patients and performing medical procedures according to their areas of expertise. They coordinate with the clinical team on administering medications, conducting laboratory examinations, and monitoring admitted patients, ensuring that they receive high-quality care services from the medical staff. A medical specialist also communicates with the patients' families to respond to their medical inquiries and concerns, as well as providing them with updates on the patients' progress. A medical specialist observes the cleanliness and orderliness of the facilities at all times, including the inspection of medical tools and equipment for operations.
An Exercise Specialist creates exercise plans designed to improve health for clients, such as those at high risk for heart, metabolic, or lung disease. They work at health clubs, hotels, gyms, and hospitals.
Medical specialists and exercise specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Medical Specialist | Exercise Specialist | |
| Average salary | $40,277 | $41,669 |
| Salary range | Between $21,000 And $75,000 | Between $28,000 And $61,000 |
| Highest paying City | Boston, MA | Kaneohe, HI |
| Highest paying state | Massachusetts | Alaska |
| Best paying company | Adobe | Hancock Wellness |
| Best paying industry | - | Health Care |
There are a few differences between a medical specialist and an exercise specialist in terms of educational background:
| Medical Specialist | Exercise Specialist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 40% | Bachelor's Degree, 79% |
| Most common major | Nursing | Kinesiology |
| Most common college | - | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill |
Here are the differences between medical specialists' and exercise specialists' demographics:
| Medical Specialist | Exercise Specialist | |
| Average age | 37 | 38 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 42.6% Female, 57.4% | Male, 43.8% Female, 56.2% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 11.6% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 18.6% Asian, 9.0% White, 55.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8% | Black or African American, 11.2% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 16.1% Asian, 5.2% White, 62.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% |
| LGBT Percentage | 6% | 13% |