Exercise Physiologist salary in California
Exercise Physiologists in California earn a median of $62,440 a year ($30.02 an hour), based on BLS data for 640 workers.
Pay ranges from $36,970 for the lowest-paid 10% to $106,290 for the top 10%. That is 5% higher than the national median of $59,460. California ranks 10th of 42 states for exercise physiologists pay. There are 0.04 exercise physiologists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.64). The average (mean) salary is $69,250, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for exercise physiologists in California
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,970 | $17.77 |
| 25th percentile | $54,900 | $26.40 |
| Median | $62,440 | $30.02 |
| 75th percentile | $81,330 | $39.10 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $106,290 | $51.10 |
| Average (mean) | $69,250 | $33.30 |
Half of exercise physiologists earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $5,203.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,601.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,401.54 |
| Weekly | $1,200.77 |
| Hourly | $30.02 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Exercise Physiologist salary in cities in California
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $79,840 | n/a |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $63,960 | 40 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $63,730 | n/a |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $62,440 | n/a |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $55,770 | 80 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $52,950 | 50 |
Highest-paying states for exercise physiologists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Washington | $81,310 |
| Oregon | $71,630 |
| Minnesota | $67,230 |
| Massachusetts | $65,950 |
| New Jersey | $64,680 |
| Colorado | $63,800 |
| New Hampshire | $63,590 |
| Wisconsin | $63,210 |
| Connecticut | $62,510 |
| California | $62,440 |
Related jobs in California
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $140,270 | $67.44 |
| Pharmacist | $164,610 | $79.14 |
| Physical Therapist | $124,190 | $59.71 |
| Physicians, All Other | $281,590 | $135.38 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $168,520 | $81.02 |
| Dental Hygienist | $124,930 | $60.06 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $104,820 | $50.40 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $118,970 | $57.20 |
| Dentists, General | $165,950 | $79.79 |
| Occupational Therapist | $124,510 | $59.86 |
| Physician Assistant | $165,650 | $79.64 |
| Veterinarian | $163,920 | $78.81 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $98,850 | $47.52 |
| Optometrist | $136,300 | $65.53 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in California
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 29-1128. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a exercise physiologist make in California?
The median salary for exercise physiologists in California is $62,440 a year, or $30.02 an hour. Pay ranges from $36,970 for the lowest-paid 10% to $106,290 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid exercise physiologists make in California?
The top 10% of exercise physiologists in California earn at least $106,290 a year. The top 25% earn $81,330 or more.
What is the starting pay for exercise physiologists in California?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $36,970 a year, and a quarter of exercise physiologists earn $54,900 or less.
How many exercise physiologists work in California?
About 640 exercise physiologists are employed in California, not counting the self-employed.