Exercise Physiologist salary in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
Exercise Physiologists in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn a median of $63,570 a year ($30.56 an hour), based on BLS data for 220 workers.
Pay ranges from $50,920 for the lowest-paid 10% to $84,020 for the top 10%. That is 7% higher than the national median of $59,460. Pay here is 6% higher than the Illinois statewide median of $60,130. There are 0.05 exercise physiologists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $67,920, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for exercise physiologists in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $50,920 | $24.48 |
| 25th percentile | $56,860 | $27.34 |
| Median | $63,570 | $30.56 |
| 75th percentile | $76,490 | $36.77 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $84,020 | $40.39 |
| Average (mean) | $67,920 | $32.66 |
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 | $5,297.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,648.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,445 |
| Weekly | $1,222.50 |
| Hourly | $30.56 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Exercise Physiologist salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $61,510 | 40 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $50,470 | n/a |
| Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN | $48,220 | 160 |
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 |
See Exercise Physiologist pay in every state or the Illinois statewide figures.
Related jobs in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $100,490 | $48.31 |
| Physicians, All Other | $94,820 | $45.59 |
| Pharmacist | $140,880 | $67.73 |
| Physical Therapist | $105,720 | $50.83 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $98,490 | $47.35 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $131,740 | $63.34 |
| Dental Hygienist | $100,260 | $48.20 |
| Occupational Therapist | $99,860 | $48.01 |
| Dentists, General | $156,100 | $75.05 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $87,060 | $41.86 |
| Physician Assistant | $127,940 | $61.51 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $73,560 | $35.36 |
| Anesthesiologist | $77,770 | $37.39 |
| Veterinarian | $148,730 | $71.51 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
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 Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
The median salary for exercise physiologists in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area is $63,570 a year, or $30.56 an hour. Pay ranges from $50,920 for the lowest-paid 10% to $84,020 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid exercise physiologists make in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
The top 10% of exercise physiologists in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn at least $84,020 a year. The top 25% earn $76,490 or more.
What is the starting pay for exercise physiologists in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $50,920 a year, and a quarter of exercise physiologists earn $56,860 or less.
How many exercise physiologists work in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
About 220 exercise physiologists are employed in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area, not counting the self-employed.