Exercise Physiologist salary in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA
Exercise Physiologists in the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA metro area earn a median of $55,770 a year ($26.81 an hour), based on BLS data for 80 workers.
Pay ranges from $36,970 for the lowest-paid 10% to $98,860 for the top 10%. That is 6% lower than the national median of $59,460. Pay here is 11% lower than the California statewide median of $62,440. There are 0.05 exercise physiologists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $59,170, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for exercise physiologists in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,970 | $17.77 |
| 25th percentile | $36,970 | $17.77 |
| Median | $55,770 | $26.81 |
| 75th percentile | $77,110 | $37.07 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $98,860 | $47.53 |
| Average (mean) | $59,170 | $28.45 |
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 | $4,647.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,323.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,145 |
| Weekly | $1,072.50 |
| Hourly | $26.81 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| 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 |
See Exercise Physiologist pay in every state or the California statewide figures.
Related jobs in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $139,520 | $67.08 |
| Physicians, All Other | $323,050 | $155.31 |
| Pharmacist | $165,130 | $79.39 |
| Physical Therapist | $113,850 | $54.74 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $163,860 | $78.78 |
| Dental Hygienist | $123,790 | $59.52 |
| Dentists, General | $158,160 | $76.04 |
| Occupational Therapist | $121,680 | $58.50 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $119,690 | $57.55 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $105,040 | $50.50 |
| Physician Assistant | $165,160 | $79.41 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $295,530 | $142.08 |
| Veterinarian | $159,750 | $76.80 |
| Chiropractor | $51,990 | $25.00 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA
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 San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA?
The median salary for exercise physiologists in the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA metro area is $55,770 a year, or $26.81 an hour. Pay ranges from $36,970 for the lowest-paid 10% to $98,860 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid exercise physiologists make in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA?
The top 10% of exercise physiologists in the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA metro area earn at least $98,860 a year. The top 25% earn $77,110 or more.
What is the starting pay for exercise physiologists in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $36,970 a year, and a quarter of exercise physiologists earn $36,970 or less.
How many exercise physiologists work in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA?
About 80 exercise physiologists are employed in the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA metro area, not counting the self-employed.