Exercise Physiologist salary in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
Exercise Physiologists in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area earn a median of $63,480 a year ($30.52 an hour), based on BLS data for 90 workers.
Pay ranges from $48,650 for the lowest-paid 10% to $87,020 for the top 10%. That is 7% higher than the national median of $59,460. Pay here is 21% higher than the Virginia statewide median of $52,400. There are 0.03 exercise physiologists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.54). The average (mean) salary is $65,150, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for exercise physiologists in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $48,650 | $23.39 |
| 25th percentile | $54,590 | $26.25 |
| Median | $63,480 | $30.52 |
| 75th percentile | $70,740 | $34.01 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $87,020 | $41.84 |
| Average (mean) | $65,150 | $31.32 |
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 | $5,290 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,645 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,441.54 |
| Weekly | $1,220.77 |
| Hourly | $30.52 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Richmond, VA | $63,840 | 60 |
| Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD | $61,430 | 40 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $49,260 | 370 |
| 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 |
See Exercise Physiologist pay in every state or the Virginia statewide figures.
Related jobs in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $102,710 | $49.38 |
| Physicians, All Other | $208,710 | $100.34 |
| Healthcare Diagnosing or Treating Practitioners, All Other | $166,230 | $79.92 |
| Pharmacist | $150,540 | $72.38 |
| Physical Therapist | $102,980 | $49.51 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $134,840 | $64.83 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $99,960 | $48.06 |
| Dentists, General | $184,540 | $88.72 |
| Physician Assistant | $148,200 | $71.25 |
| Occupational Therapist | $102,960 | $49.50 |
| Dental Hygienist | $119,170 | $57.30 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $101,990 | $49.03 |
| Veterinarian | $154,350 | $74.21 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $225,140 | $108.24 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
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 Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?
The median salary for exercise physiologists in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area is $63,480 a year, or $30.52 an hour. Pay ranges from $48,650 for the lowest-paid 10% to $87,020 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid exercise physiologists make in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?
The top 10% of exercise physiologists in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area earn at least $87,020 a year. The top 25% earn $70,740 or more.
What is the starting pay for exercise physiologists in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $48,650 a year, and a quarter of exercise physiologists earn $54,590 or less.
How many exercise physiologists work in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?
About 90 exercise physiologists are employed in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area, not counting the self-employed.