Exercise Physiologist salary in Illinois
Exercise Physiologists in Illinois earn a median of $60,130 a year ($28.91 an hour), based on BLS data for 300 workers.
Pay ranges from $50,220 for the lowest-paid 10% to $84,020 for the top 10%. That is 1% higher than the national median of $59,460. Illinois ranks 14th of 42 states for exercise physiologists pay. There are 0.05 exercise physiologists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $65,960, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for exercise physiologists in Illinois
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $50,220 | $24.15 |
| 25th percentile | $54,240 | $26.08 |
| Median | $60,130 | $28.91 |
| 75th percentile | $74,860 | $35.99 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $84,020 | $40.39 |
| Average (mean) | $65,960 | $31.71 |
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 | $5,010.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,505.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,312.69 |
| Weekly | $1,156.35 |
| Hourly | $28.91 |
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 Illinois
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $63,570 | 220 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $50,470 | n/a |
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 Illinois
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $95,990 | $46.15 |
| Physicians, All Other | $132,540 | $63.72 |
| Pharmacist | $139,080 | $66.86 |
| Physical Therapist | $105,250 | $50.60 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $130,680 | $62.83 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $95,080 | $45.71 |
| Dental Hygienist | $96,670 | $46.48 |
| Occupational Therapist | $99,700 | $47.93 |
| Dentists, General | $156,110 | $75.06 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $84,090 | $40.43 |
| Physician Assistant | $131,950 | $63.44 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $73,520 | $35.35 |
| Veterinarian | $133,580 | $64.22 |
| Chiropractor | $66,650 | $32.04 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Illinois
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 Illinois?
The median salary for exercise physiologists in Illinois is $60,130 a year, or $28.91 an hour. Pay ranges from $50,220 for the lowest-paid 10% to $84,020 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid exercise physiologists make in Illinois?
The top 10% of exercise physiologists in Illinois earn at least $84,020 a year. The top 25% earn $74,860 or more.
What is the starting pay for exercise physiologists in Illinois?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $50,220 a year, and a quarter of exercise physiologists earn $54,240 or less.
How many exercise physiologists work in Illinois?
About 300 exercise physiologists are employed in Illinois, not counting the self-employed.