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Sports Science Salary

By an allied health world contributing writer
Published: December, 15 2010

Salaries in the field of exercise science differ widely based on the level of education a graduate has attained and the supplemental certifications they may have pursued. The employment opportunities for those who have graduated with a degree in exercise science range from those based in health clubs and exercise centers all the way to those with advanced credentials who work in sports medicine centers or with professional athletic organizations. An exercise science salary can't be generalized because the opportunities in this field are so varied.

A graduate with a degree in exercise science who is interested in the training and education opportunities available in the fitness industry can expect the following salary averages. Information for the national average as well as several specific markets is included.

Exercise Instructor
National Average – $32,000
San Francisco - $39,000
Atlanta - $34,000
Minneapolis – $27,000

Fitness Trainer
National Average – 35,000
San Francisco - $42,000
Atlanta - $36,000
Minneapolis - $29,000

Aerobics Instructor
National Average - $37,000
San Francisco - $44,000
Atlanta - $38,000
Minneapolis - $31,000

Personal Trainer
National Average – $41,000
San Francisco - $50,000
Atlanta - $43,000
Minneapolis - $35,000

Aerobic instructors and personal trainers are typically professionals who have sought certification through the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) in these areas, so the salaries they earn are somewhat higher than their non-certified counterparts.

Graduates of exercise science degree programs who use their educations to forge a pathway to more advanced courses of study have greater earning potential. An exercise scientist is in an excellent position to study deeper and more challenging fields that build on a foundation of exercise and fitness principles. The more specialized the knowledge, the greater the income that can be earned.

A sports nutritionist is a graduate in the field of exercise science or sports medicine that has paired their degree with a bachelor's degree in dietetics. A sports nutritionist draws an average salary of $34,000 nationally.

If a graduate with a bachelor's degree in exercise science goes on to pursue a teaching credential, they can teach physical education at the high-school level. This professional assumes responsibility for the health and fitness of young adults, and may also take on coaching responsibilities in the athletic department of the school where he or she works. Nationally, physical education instructors earn $48,000 yearly.

Exercise science transitions very smoothly to the field of exercise physiology. Graduates can continue their education and get a master's degree in exercise physiology where they'll be eligible to pursue careers in more advanced clinical environments, which may involve cardiovascular rehabilitation. Exercise physiologists earn an average yearly salary of $49,000 nationally.

Rehabilitation as an industry is growing rapidly, and shortages in the number of qualified professionals drive salaries upwards and create better job security. Physical therapists and occupational therapists are qualified to treat movement disorders throughout the population, but those who came to the field through their degree in exercise science are often interested in sports rehabilitation or neuromuscular rehab. These professionals often pursue employment in outpatient centers or sports clinics. Nationally, the average salary for a physical therapist is $90,000 and for an occupational therapist, $87,000.

As with all industries, experience and a current knowledge base keep salaries moving upwards. Health science is a fluid area, and research never stops. Principles that were considered rock-solid a decade ago are replaced with new guidelines as science advances and technology changes. The professional who graduates with an exercise science degree does best when he or she continues to hone mastery of the field. Employers often look for a balance of experience paired with contemporary training. This means it is important to continue learning as new research becomes available and philosophies change. Some exercise science careers require annual or bi-annual continuing education to maintain licensures or certification, but any professional is well served by continuing to learn even after formal education has been completed.