What Can You Do with an Exercise Science Degree?
Reviewed by Colin Pennington, PhD
Gwynedd Mercy University’s Exercise Science Program Coordinator
Are you interested in health and wellness, fitness, or sports? A degree in Exercise Science combines these passions into careers that could change your lifeand the lives of others. You'll not only be working with athletes, but anyone looking to improve their health and well-being.
See where you could work with a degree in Exercise Science.
What is Exercise Science?
The field of exercise science isn't just about working out. It's about understanding the science behind how our bodies work and how to make them work better. Whether you're analyzing muscle growth, preventing injuries, or helping athletes perform at their peak, this field is all about empowering people through movement.
GMercyU’s Exercise Science degree covers physiology, biomechanics, motor learning, fitness and conditioning, health and wellness, and more.
Exercise Science: A Growing Field
Becoming an Exercise Science major can open the door to many exciting careers in an industry that continues to grow as we become more focused on health and fitness.
According to Lightcast, the number of job postings in the Philadelphia region in the field of exercise science is 31% above the national average and projected to grow by an additional 5.1% over the next five years.* Nationwide, jobs in exercise science are expected to grow 10.1% over the next five years.
This growth is fueled by several factors, including a rising awareness of preventive healthcare, rehabilitation, and performance optimization. As chronic conditions become more prevalent, the demand for professionals who can design personalized exercise programs to manage these conditions intensifies. Additionally, the aging population's focus on maintaining an active lifestyle contributes to the need for qualified exercise specialists.
Moreover, the fitness industry's evolution reflects these trends. There's a noticeable shift towards strength training, with gyms investing in equipment to meet this demand. This change indicates a broader cultural shift towards muscle-building activities, further enhancing the relevance of exercise science professionals.
Top 10 Popular Careers in Exercise Science
Whether interested in fitness, rehabilitation, or wellness, the career possibilities in this field are expansive and continuing to grow.
Exercise Science professionals can work in a wide range of settings, including fitness centers, sports teams, rehabilitation clinics, hospitals, corporate wellness programs, schools, and research labs. This flexibility allows you to explore different work environments and roles, which can lead to a fulfilling and dynamic career.
Some of the most popular career paths include:
1. Personal Trainer/Fitness Instructor
Job Description: Personal trainers and fitness instructors help clients achieve their fitness goals by designing customized exercise programs and providing guidance on proper technique.
Why It’s Popular: The growing emphasis on health and fitness, as well as an increase in gym memberships and online fitness programs
Key Skills: Communication, motivation, fitness knowledge, and personalized training
Median Annual Salary: $46,180 in 2024; the highest 10% earned more than $82,050 (source)
2. Exercise Physiologist
Job Description: Exercise physiologists assess their patients' physical fitness and design rehabilitation or exercise programs to improve health and performance, often working with individuals recovering from injury or dealing with chronic health conditions.
Why It’s Popular: Increasing awareness of the role of physical activity in chronic disease management and rehabilitation
Key Skills: Assessment techniques, knowledge of anatomy/physiology, program design, and communication
Median Annual Salary: $58,160 in 2024; the highest 10% earned more than $79,830 (source)
3. Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA)
Job Description: PTAs work alongside physical therapists to help patients recover from injuries or surgeries, applying exercise regimens and other interventions under supervision.
Why It’s Popular: A fast-growing field, especially as the population ages and requires more physical therapy services
Key Skills: Strong understanding of human movement, patient care, and rehabilitation techniques
Median Annual Salary: $65,510 in 2024; the highest 10% earned more than $87,630 (source)
4. Sports Coach
Job Description: Sports coaches help athletes improve performance in a specific sport, ranging from amateur to professional levels.
Why It’s Popular: Growing participation in youth sports, school athletics, and professional sports leagues
Key Skills: Coaching techniques, leadership, communication, and performance analysis
Median Annual Salary: $45,920 in 2024; the highest 10% earned more than $93,980 (source)
5. Health and Wellness Coach
Job Description: Health and wellness coaches work with clients to improve overall lifestyle choices, such as exercise, nutrition, and mental health, promoting healthier habits and self-care.
Why It’s Popular: Increased focus on holistic health and preventive care, along with growing interest in self-improvement and well-being
Key Skills: Coaching, communication, nutrition knowledge, and lifestyle change strategies
Average Annual Salary: $59,400 to $74,400 per year (source)
6. Strength and Conditioning Coach
Job Description: These coaches focus on improving the physical performance of athletes by designing strength training programs tailored to the specific needs of individual athletes or teams.
Why It’s Popular: Many sports teams, fitness centers, and athletic programs seek strength coaches to help athletes maximize their potential.
Key Skills: Exercise programming, biomechanics, strength training, and performance analysis
Average Annual Salary: $60,527 to $84,575 (source)
7. Athletic Trainer
Job Description: Athletic trainers specialize in preventing, diagnosing, and treating sports-related injuries, often working closely with sports teams or athletic departments.
Why It’s Popular: The rise in sports participation and the need for injury prevention and care make this a popular career option.
Key Skills: Injury assessment, rehabilitation, and knowledge of sports medicine
Median Annual Salary: $60,250 in 2024; the highest 10% of athletic trainers earned more than $84,100 (source)
8. Corporate Wellness Coordinator
Job Description: Corporate wellness coordinators design and implement wellness programs for businesses, helping employees stay active and healthy, which can improve productivity and reduce healthcare costs.
Why It’s Popular: Companies are increasingly investing in employee wellness programs to improve health outcomes and reduce healthcare-related expenses.
Key Skills: Program management, communication, fitness knowledge, and organizational skills
Average Annual Salary: $81,691 (source)
9. Sports Nutritionist/Dietitian
Job Description: Sports nutritionists or dietitians help athletes and individuals optimize their performance by advising on nutrition, supplementation, and diet strategies.
Why It’s Popular: The demand for personalized nutrition plans is on the rise as people become more focused on how diet impacts fitness and performance.
Key Skills: Knowledge of nutrition science, coaching, and dietary analysis
Median Annual Salary: $73,850; the highest 10% earned more than $101,760 (source)
10. Emerging Careers
Virtual Fitness Trainer: With the rise of online fitness classes and virtual coaching, becoming a virtual trainer is a growing career path, especially for tech-savvy individuals.
Rehabilitation Specialist: Working in physical rehab or post-surgery recovery, focusing on restoring strength, mobility, and functional abilities.
Let’s Get Moving! Earn Your Bachelor’s in Exercise Science at GMercyU
With GMercyU’s Bachelor of Health Science in Exercise Science degree, you’ll gain a comprehensive understanding of human movement and performance. The program features a brand-new Exercise Science Lab with cutting-edge exercise and lab equipment to provide a unique learning environment for hands-on lab activities.
And, our degree in Exercise Science integrates experiences that directly prepare students for professional school or graduate school. GMercyU’s relationships with healthcare systems and sports teams offer valuable internships, collaborative projects, and job placement opportunities to help prepare you for various careers within the exercise and health industries.
Explore Gwynedd Mercy University’s Exercise Science program to learn more.