Salary Trends in Kinesiology: What Professionals Can Expect After Graduation

Whether you’re a fitness professional ready to take the next step or a health science enthusiast exploring your career path, understanding salary trends in kinesiology is essential for planning your future. As the field continues to grow and evolve, especially with its increasing role in preventative healthcare and performance training, kinesiology offers a range of career opportunities with strong earning potential.

Kinesiology professionals are no longer limited to gyms or sports teams. Today, they’re found in clinical settings, corporate wellness departments, academic institutions and research labs. And with the right credentials—especially a graduate degree—many are seeing their income rise alongside the expanding demand for their expertise.

If you’re considering an advanced degree, Concordia University Chicago’s online Master of Applied Exercise Science can be a powerful investment in both your professional development and long-term salary growth.

2025 Salary Outlook: By the Numbers

So, what can kinesiology professionals expect to earn in 2025? According to projections from industry reports and salary databases, here’s a snapshot of what the financial future looks like in this field:

• Exercise Scientists: $55,000 to $80,000 annually depending on specialization, experience and location
• Strength and Conditioning Specialists: $60,000 to $85,000+ for those working with college or professional athletes
• Wellness Program Directors: $70,000 to $95,000 particularly in hospital systems or large corporate environments
• Clinical Exercise Physiologists: $55,000 to $75,000 with higher salaries in cardiac or pulmonary rehab settings
• Academic Researchers or Instructors: $60,000 to $90,000 with opportunities for growth based on publishing, tenure or administrative roles
• Directors or Program Managers: $90,000 or more especially for those leading multidisciplinary teams or overseeing health initiatives

In short, advanced credentials translate to higher salaries and greater access to leadership positions. Professionals who combine their graduate degree with respected certifications such as those from ACSM (American College of Sports Medicine) or NSCA (National Strength and Conditioning Association) are even more competitive in the job market.

Factors That Influence Kinesiology Salaries

Salary in the field of kinesiology isn’t one-size-fits-all. Several factors influence what you can expect to earn:

1. Specialization and Career Path

Your area of focus can significantly affect your income. For example, someone working in cardiac rehab or hospital-based settings may earn more than someone working in general fitness. Concordia’s online program offers five distinct concentrations, allowing students to align their education with higher-paying specializations:

• Exercise Physiology
• Human Movement Science
• Sports Nutrition
• Sports Performance Training
• Strength and Conditioning

2. Experience and Credentials

As in most healthcare and science-based fields, experience leads to better pay. Adding certifications like Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS), Clinical Exercise Physiologist (CEP) or Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) can also increase your earning potential.

3. Location and Work Setting

Salaries vary by region with metropolitan areas and healthcare-focused cities offering higher wages. The type of organization also matters. Corporate wellness programs and research institutions often offer more competitive pay than smaller gyms or nonprofit wellness centers.

4. Education Level

A master’s degree can be the difference between an entry-level technician role and a leadership or clinical practitioner position. Employers increasingly seek candidates with graduate-level education to lead initiatives, design evidence-based programs and contribute to organizational strategy.

Why Choose Concordia University Chicago?

If you’re thinking about boosting your income through education, Concordia University Chicago’s online Master of Applied Exercise Science stands out for several reasons:

• 100% Online Format: Designed for working professionals, this program offers flexibility without sacrificing academic rigor
• Specialized Concentrations: Students choose from five areas of focus to align with their career interests and salary goals
• Experienced Faculty: Learn from industry leaders who bring real-world insight into every course
• Immediate Application: Coursework is designed to be applied in real time, allowing students to bring value to their current roles as they learn
• Strong Career Support: Students benefit from a supportive learning environment and resources that help with networking and career advancement

Concordia’s graduate program doesn’t just help you gain knowledge, it helps you become a leader in exercise science, capable of stepping into roles that come with both higher responsibility and higher pay.

Increasing Income and Expanding Impact

Beyond the paycheck, a degree in kinesiology enables professionals to make a greater impact. Whether you’re helping an athlete reach peak performance, designing rehabilitation protocols for patients recovering from surgery or leading corporate wellness initiatives that improve employee health, your work has the potential to change lives.

But it also positions you for greater job security and career mobility. As healthcare systems evolve to prioritize prevention and wellness, those with a background in exercise science and clinical application will continue to be in high demand.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of exercise physiologists is projected to grow over the next decade particularly in areas related to chronic disease prevention, elder care and integrated healthcare. These trends are especially promising for professionals with a master’s degree.

Is a Master’s Degree Worth It?

The return on investment for a graduate degree in kinesiology is strong, both in terms of salary and career satisfaction. Studies consistently show that individuals with advanced degrees in health and science fields earn more over their lifetime compared to those with only a bachelor’s degree.

If you’re not yet ready for graduate study, Concordia University Chicago also offers an online Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology, which can be a stepping stone to more advanced opportunities in the future. But for those ready to level up now, the master’s program offers the advanced skills, professional connections and academic credentials that employers are seeking.

Invest in Your Future Today

Whether your goal is to increase your salary, advance in your current role or make a bigger impact in the health and wellness field, Concordia University Chicago’s online Master of Applied Exercise Science can help you get there.

With a flexible, high-quality education designed for busy professionals, you can take the next step in your career on your terms.

Explore our program today and discover how a degree from CUC can open the door to higher earnings and greater professional fulfillment.