If you’re searching for the highest paying kinesiology jobs, you’re not alone. Many people with a passion for movement, sports, and health want to know which career paths offer the best pay and growth.
The best part is, kinesiology provides access to a range of fulfilling careers. Whether you envision working with sports teams, assisting individuals in recovery from injury, or directing health and wellness programs, there are numerous opportunities to consider.
Within this 2025 update, we will dissect the top 12 highest paying kinesiology jobs. We will discuss how much money you can expect to earn, where your career is based, and what qualifications you need in order to start.
With annual salaries ranging between about $52,000 and over $85,000 and some jobs still higher based on experience and place, kinesiology careers can create a healthy and rewarding professional life. Jump right in with us and discuss which jobs take top honors this year.
Table of contents
What are Kinesiology Jobs
Kinesiology is the discipline that covers human movement as well as general exercise. It investigates the functioning of the body during movements and also upon movements.
The integration of biomechanics, physiology, anatomy, and psychology to find out about the effects of exercise on the physiology of the body.
Kinesiologist looks at movement patterns to maximize performance and prevent injuries and develops efficient programs based on its output, and where the end goal is improved health, fitness, or wellbeing.
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Top 12 Highest Paying Kinesiology Jobs
See this list of the highest paying kinesiology jobs you can think about, listed in order of national average salary and with the primary job duties for each.
We obtained the data from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Payscale, Glassdoor, and other credible sources.
Here are the highest paying kinesiology jobs:
1. Athletic Coach
Average salary: $48,041 per year
An athletic coach is one of the highest paying kinesiology jobs. This is the one who assists athletes to take their skills to a sport they have chosen to play. They provide coaching and encouragement, instill abilities, monitor opposing teams and arrange the teams to observe scouts for a particular player.
Athletic coaches also schedule workouts, prepare to play and take part in administrative matters like recruiting and buying equipment.
Skills Required
- Leadership: Guiding and encouraging athletes in the right way.
- Communication: Conveying clear orders and criticism.
- Decision-making: Making quick strategic decisions when training and playing.
- Interpersonal skills: Building rapport with athletes and personnel.
- Sport-specific knowledge: Extensive knowledge of the techniques and rules of the sport.
2. Exercise Physiologist
Average salary: $55,074 a year
An exercise physiologist works with patients who have chronic diseases or are postoperative to plan appropriate fitness programs so that the patient can regain strength and live healthier lives.
They also work closely with physicians in order to determine the patient’s history and special needs and provide patients with the support necessary so that the patients become confident about what they can do.
Skills Required
- Analytical skill: Interpretation of data from fitness testing and assessment.
- Knowledge of human physiology: Awareness of the impact of exercise on the human body.
- Program design: Creating personalized exercise programs for clients.
- Patient education: Explaining the advantages and safety of exercise to clients.
3. Fitness Trainer
Average salary: $49,966 annually
A fitness trainer has a meeting with clients to establish and achieve fitness goals within a motivating setting.
They monitor the growth and safety of their clients, guide clients through stretching, lifting weights and other exercises, train clients for specific goals, e.g., running a marathon, and disinfect gym equipment.
Many fitness trainers also design exercise routines and instruct groups of people at once.
Skills Required
- Motivational abilities: Teaching clients to reach fitness goals.
- Technique of exercise: Demonstrating proper form and safety.
- Communication: Listening to client needs and providing precise directions.
- Client evaluation: Determining levels of fitness and progress.
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4. Physical Education Teacher
Average salary: $52,084 per year
A physical education teacher designs curriculum and teaches pupils how to stay physically active. They teach team sports, motivate pupils and potentially educate pupils in the field of nutrition.
Physical education teachers also test the performance of students, grade them and report a student’s progress to his/her parents or guardians.
Skills Needed
- Instructional skills: Teaching physical activities and health subjects.
- Ensure classroom management: A positive learning environment.
- Communication: Students and their families and other teachers.
- Program planning: Age-appropriate programs in physical education.
5. Fitness Club Manager
Average salary: $52,546 a year
A fitness club manager oversees the operation of a training center or gym on a daily basis. They are responsible for scheduling activities, preparing the timetables, supervising the instructors and trainers, following policies and regulations, and greeting customers. Managers may work at franchises or a non-league organization.
Skills Needed
- Organizational skills: Effective management of day-to-day operations.
- Leadership: Management of staff and motivating the team members.
- Administration of business: Budgeting, marketing, and membership growth.
- Customer service: Member satisfaction and retention.
6. Athletic Director
Average: $65,271 annually
An athletic director administers athletic programs. They direct the budgets, personnel, planning and much of the networking with athletic competitions and training.
Athletic directors market their team as well as the individual players, ensure safety of all players, manage the facility the team has, coordinate traveling to competition, mediate battles between players and staff and ensure their program maintains all regulations.
Skills Needed
- Leadership: Supervising athletic personnel and programs.
- Strategic planning: Developing long-term goals for sports divisions.
- Budgeting: Proper management of funds.
- Staff management: Recruiting, training, and evaluating coaches and auxiliary staff.
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7. Sports Consultant
Average salary: $69,139 per year
A sports consultant works closely with athletes and athletic directors to counsel them on multiple trends in sport.
They design programs to help organizational goals, broker sports deals between other firms and help athletes gain sports deals from teams. Sports consultants also analyze and gather facts to make a decision.
Skills Needed
- Analytical skill: Assessing performance of teams and organizational needs.
- Sports industry expertise: Knowledge about trends and benchmarks.
- Communication skills: Being able to effectively recommend solutions to customers.
- Problem-solving skills: Being able to craft creative plans of improvement.
8. Wellness Director
Average salary: $69,833.
A wellness director designs plans and programs targeted to improve the health of all the employees in an organization.
They may supervise personnel that are assigned to programs pertaining to health and wellness in the workplace, organize a workplace team challenge, and liaise with community wellness resources, such as spas and gyms, to provide employee discounts.
Skills Needed
- Program-planning: Designing well-being programs for the organization.
- Leadership Skills: Planning for Teams and Available Resources.
- Health Education: Promotion of a healthy lifestyle.
- Organization Skills: Managing schedules, budgets, and events.
9. Chiropractor
Average salary: $81,846/year.
Chiropractors take care of patients suffering from some injury or disorder who have pain or discomfort in one or more parts of their bodies. They adjust the spine while teaching the patient how to care for it; they perform spinal adjustments.
They will use various forms of therapy and methods in assessing and treating conditions related to pain, including low back pains, headaches, auto accident traumas, sciatica, and pain related to arthritis. The patients will also learn exercises they can do at home to complement their treatments whenever they come in for interventions.
Skills Needed
- Manual dexterity: For making precise spinal adjustments.
- Diagnostic skills: To ascertain musculoskeletal disorders.
- Communication: To inform patients about treatments and health advice.
- Patient care: To sympathize with and render effective treatment.
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10. Occupational Therapist
Average salary: $82,227 an year.
Occupational therapists create personalized therapy programs by which patients can sustain the mobility and flexibility necessary for activities of daily living or work.
Occupational therapists treat a variety of physical injuries and behavioral disturbances-from broken bones to PTSD.
An occupational therapist will do all he can do for a patient with a permanent disability in his independent life to get the patient to where he may be able to do day-to-day tasks independently.
Skills Required
- Problem-solving: Strategies for adaptation for individual patients are developed
- Ability to empathize: Understanding the challenges and needs of the able-bodied.
- Patient assessment: Evaluation of both the physical and cognitive strengths and weaknesses.
- Therapeutic Techniques: Intervention focused on daily functioning improvement.
11. Physical Therapist
Average salary: $85,831 per year
A physical therapist works with patients in rehabs and hospitals to regain their movement after surgery or procedures.
They use various exercises and stretches to attain goals that have to do with having the patient as independent as possible and pain reduction.
Physical therapists also provide preventive care and teach patients how they can use some techniques to help them recover.
Skills Needed
- Clinical skill: Delivering rehabilitation therapy and exercise.
- Patient assessment: Determining movement injury and disorder.
- Rehabilitation planning: Developing plans for recovery.
- Communication: Instructing patients and collaborating with healthcare teams.
12. Registered Nurse
Average salary: $70,822 a year
A registered nurse is responsible for the care of patients. They take vital signs, administer medication, help move patients and do other things that aid in their recovery and inform physicians, nurses and other health care professionals of any developments in patients.
A registered nurse is responsible for patient care.
They assist in monitoring vital signs, medication administration, and patient mobility as well as other activities which ensure their improvement and report any patient updates to physicians, nurses, and other health care providers.
Skills Required
- Clinical skills: Direct patient care.
- Critical thinking: Quick and informed decision-making.
- Patient care: Patient monitoring and maintenance of health.
- Communication: Coordination with patients, families, and medical staff.
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Where Can You Find These Highest Paying Kinesiology Jobs?
An academic background in human movement and exercise science would lay a strong foundation for people seeking to obtain well-paying jobs in various environments.
If you have aspirations for a job that may truly change lives, you might want to consider one or more of the more difficult places to work at:
– Medical and hospital settings
– Professional sports teams and organizations
– Gyms and fitness clubs
– Universities and research institutions
– Rehabilitation centers and clinics for therapy
– Corporate wellness programs
– Non-profit agencies and government agencies
Kinesiologists can always find jobs within these different environments.
Frequently Asked Questions
There are certain job titles that will stipulate either master’s or Ph.D., but there are many others that will care more for experience than for degrees.
Yes, many kinesiology graduates start working with only a bachelor’s degree.
Yes, the demand for kinesiologists exists due to an increasing emphasis on health and wellness.
Healthcare, sports, and fitness; education employs kinesiologists.
By continuing education, certification, and attending industry conventions, keep your skills up to date.
Conclusion
Highest Paying Kinesiology Jobs offer diverse and rewarding career opportunities. Combining passion and knowledge, you can excel in careers that make a real impact.
Explore these top 12 opportunities and start today on a fulfilling career that makes an impact on people’s lives.
References
- www.indeed.com – 13 of the Highest-Paying Kinesiology Careers
- www.scijournal.org – 10 Highest Paying Kinesiology Jobs to Consider
