Exercise Physiologist salary in North Carolina
Exercise Physiologists in North Carolina earn a median of $52,450 a year ($25.22 an hour), based on BLS data for 370 workers.
Pay ranges from $43,900 for the lowest-paid 10% to $71,270 for the top 10%. That is 12% lower than the national median of $59,460. North Carolina ranks 28th of 42 states for exercise physiologists pay. There are 0.07 exercise physiologists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.4× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $56,850, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for exercise physiologists in North Carolina
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $43,900 | $21.11 |
| 25th percentile | $49,090 | $23.60 |
| Median | $52,450 | $25.22 |
| 75th percentile | $62,870 | $30.23 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $71,270 | $34.26 |
| Average (mean) | $56,850 | $27.33 |
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 | $4,370.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,185.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,017.31 |
| Weekly | $1,008.65 |
| Hourly | $25.22 |
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 North Carolina
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | $66,060 | 30 |
| Wilmington, NC | $55,200 | 40 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $53,250 | 110 |
| Winston-Salem, NC | $50,230 | 40 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $45,830 | 80 |
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 North Carolina
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $84,350 | $40.56 |
| Physicians, All Other | $260,330 | $125.16 |
| Pharmacist | $138,860 | $66.76 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $128,990 | $62.01 |
| Physician Assistant | $129,360 | $62.19 |
| Physical Therapist | $99,910 | $48.03 |
| Dental Hygienist | $97,850 | $47.04 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $86,460 | $41.57 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $80,090 | $38.51 |
| Occupational Therapist | $92,940 | $44.68 |
| Dentists, General | $207,000 | $99.52 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $224,610 | $107.99 |
| Veterinarian | $129,240 | $62.14 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $67,560 | $32.48 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in North Carolina
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 North Carolina?
The median salary for exercise physiologists in North Carolina is $52,450 a year, or $25.22 an hour. Pay ranges from $43,900 for the lowest-paid 10% to $71,270 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid exercise physiologists make in North Carolina?
The top 10% of exercise physiologists in North Carolina earn at least $71,270 a year. The top 25% earn $62,870 or more.
What is the starting pay for exercise physiologists in North Carolina?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $43,900 a year, and a quarter of exercise physiologists earn $49,090 or less.
How many exercise physiologists work in North Carolina?
About 370 exercise physiologists are employed in North Carolina, not counting the self-employed.