Jobs Similar to Exercise Physiologists
The careers below use the most similar skills, knowledge and work activities to exercise physiologists, according to O*NET 31.0. The closest are Sports Medicine Physicians, Orthoptists and Physical Therapists.
Exercise Physiologists: $59,460 median pay · usual preparation: Bachelor's degree.
Updated October 2026 · Data: O*NET 31.0 and BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
The 20 most similar careers
| # | Career | Similarity | Median pay (vs. Exercise Physiologists) | Usual preparation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sports Medicine PhysiciansSame group | 84% | $265,930Broader BLS group · not compared | Graduate degree |
| 2 | OrthoptistsSame group | 83% | $115,210Broader BLS group · not compared | Graduate degree |
| 3 | Physical TherapistsSame group | 83% | $102,760+73% | Graduate degree |
| 4 | Emergency Medicine PhysiciansSame group | 83% | $335,550+464% | Graduate degree |
| 5 | Athletic Trainers | 83% | $62,520+5% | Graduate degree |
| 6 | Obstetricians and GynecologistsSame group | 82% | $292,910+393% | Graduate degree |
| 7 | General Internal Medicine PhysiciansSame group | 82% | $256,560+331% | Graduate degree |
| 8 | Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation PhysiciansSame group | 82% | $265,930Broader BLS group · not compared | Graduate degree |
| 9 | ChiropractorsSame group | 82% | $79,200+33% | Graduate degree |
| 10 | VeterinariansSame group | 82% | $130,100+119% | Graduate degree |
| 11 | Nurse PractitionersSame group | 82% | $132,300+123% | Graduate degree |
| 12 | Physician AssistantsSame group | 82% | $135,880+129% | Graduate degree |
| 13 | DermatologistsSame group | 82% | $328,730+453% | Graduate degree |
| 14 | PodiatristsSame group | 81% | $160,300+170% | Graduate degree |
| 15 | OptometristsSame group | 81% | $136,570+130% | Graduate degree |
| 16 | Critical Care NursesSame group | 81% | $97,550Broader BLS group · not compared | Bachelor's degree |
| 17 | Acute Care NursesSame group | 81% | $97,550Broader BLS group · not compared | Bachelor's degree |
| 18 | Registered NursesSame group | 80% | $97,550+64% | Bachelor's degree |
| 19 | Ophthalmic Medical Technologists | 80% | $50,290Broader BLS group · not compared | Training or associate |
| 20 | HospitalistsSame group | 80% | $265,930Broader BLS group · not compared | Graduate degree |
- 1Sports Medicine Physicians
84% similar · $265,930 (broader group) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 2Orthoptists
83% similar · $115,210 (broader group) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 3Physical Therapists
83% similar · $102,760 (+73%) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 4Emergency Medicine Physicians
83% similar · $335,550 (+464%) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 5Athletic Trainers
83% similar · $62,520 (+5%) · Graduate degree
- 6Obstetricians and Gynecologists
82% similar · $292,910 (+393%) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 7General Internal Medicine Physicians
82% similar · $256,560 (+331%) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 8Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Physicians
82% similar · $265,930 (broader group) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 9Chiropractors
82% similar · $79,200 (+33%) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 10Veterinarians
82% similar · $130,100 (+119%) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 11Nurse Practitioners
82% similar · $132,300 (+123%) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 12Physician Assistants
82% similar · $135,880 (+129%) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 13Dermatologists
82% similar · $328,730 (+453%) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 14Podiatrists
81% similar · $160,300 (+170%) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 15Optometrists
81% similar · $136,570 (+130%) · Graduate degree · Same group
- 16Critical Care Nurses
81% similar · $97,550 (broader group) · Bachelor's degree · Same group
- 17Acute Care Nurses
81% similar · $97,550 (broader group) · Bachelor's degree · Same group
- 18Registered Nurses
80% similar · $97,550 (+64%) · Bachelor's degree · Same group
- 19Ophthalmic Medical Technologists
80% similar · $50,290 (broader group) · Training or associate
- 20Hospitalists
80% similar · $265,930 (broader group) · Graduate degree · Same group
Similarity: weighted correlation of O*NET 31.0 transferable skills (35%), knowledge (25%), work activities (15%) and interests (15%). Pay and schooling do not change it. Pay change compares BLS May 2025 national medians; careers with only a broader BLS group wage are not compared. “Same group”: the same BLS occupation group (SOC minor group). Methodology
Similar jobs that pay more
Only careers that usually need no more preparation than exercise physiologists.
Similar jobs that need less preparation
Thinking of a career change?
Similar is not the same as a good next step. Our career-change list for exercise physiologists also weighs pay drops and extra schooling, and puts jobs outside the field first.
Jobs that can lead here
Careers where exercise physiologists is one of the best career-change matches (match score in brackets).
- Athletic Trainers (90)
- Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors (79)
- Midwives (75)
- Ophthalmic Medical Technologists (75)
- Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses (74)
- Physical Therapist Assistants (72)
- Paramedics (71)
- Massage Therapists (70)
- Ophthalmic Medical Technicians (70)
- Dietetic Technicians (69)
Questions about jobs like exercise physiologists
What jobs are most similar to exercise physiologists?
By O*NET 31.0 data, the closest are Sports Medicine Physicians (84% similar), Orthoptists (83% similar), Physical Therapists (83% similar), Emergency Medicine Physicians (83% similar) and Athletic Trainers (83% similar).
Which jobs like exercise physiologists pay more?
Among the 20 most similar careers, Emergency Medicine Physicians ($335,550, +464%; usually a graduate degree), Dermatologists ($328,730, +453%; usually a graduate degree) and Obstetricians and Gynecologists ($292,910, +393%; usually a graduate degree) have the highest BLS median pay compared with exercise physiologists ($59,460). Without more preparation than exercise physiologists usually need: Registered Nurses.
How is the similarity percentage worked out?
We compare how important each transferable skill, knowledge area, work activity and interest area is in both jobs (O*NET 31.0 ratings) with a weighted correlation. 100% would mean the same profile. Unlike our career-change matches, pay and extra schooling do not lower the similarity on this page.