The fitness and health industry is expanding, and an exercise science degree can lead to a wide range of health and fitness degree jobs. Whether you want to coach clients, train athletes, work in wellness, or pursue a clinical pathway, an exercise science major provides a science based foundation that employers respect and that clients trust.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, fitness trainers and instructors earn a median pay of $46,180 per year as of May 2024, and employment is projected to grow 12 percent from 2024 to 2034 according to BLS.

If you want to start working in fitness as soon as possible, explore the Lionel Certified Personal Trainer program here:

Quick Answer: What Jobs Can You Get With an Exercise Science Degree?

If you are asking what can you do with an exercise science degree, here are some of the most common exercise science occupations and fitness related careers graduates pursue:

  • Personal trainer and fitness coach
  • Group fitness instructor
  • Strength and conditioning coach
  • Sports performance coach
  • Wellness coach and health coach
  • Corporate wellness coordinator
  • Exercise physiologist
  • Athletic trainer pathway roles, depending on state requirements and education
  • Nutrition and wellness pathway roles, with additional training for dietitian credentials
  • Fitness director and program manager roles

Careers With an Exercise Science Degree in Fitness and Coaching

Personal Trainer

You do not need an exercise science degree to become a personal trainer. A personal training certification is often the standard first step. However, a degree can help you build deeper knowledge, coach more confidently, and qualify for more opportunities as you advance.

If you are ready to begin training clients and build hands on experience, Lionel’s Certified Personal Trainer program is a strong place to start:

What personal trainers do

  • Assess client goals and movement patterns
  • Create training programs for strength, conditioning, mobility, and long term progress
  • Coach exercise technique and safe progression
  • Support habit building and consistency within an appropriate scope

Pay and outlook

  • The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a median pay of $46,180 per year as of May 2024 for fitness trainers and instructors
  • Employment is projected to grow 12 percent from 2024 to 2034 according to BLS.

How to grow your career as a trainer

  • Earn additional specializations and build experience
  • Move into leadership as a lead trainer or fitness manager
  • Develop a niche such as strength training, corrective exercise, youth fitness, or older adult training
  • Launch an independent training business or coaching practice

If your goal is to build long term career options while continuing to work in fitness, a bachelor’s degree can help you move beyond entry roles and into higher level opportunities:

Group Fitness Instructor and Fitness Instructor

If you enjoy coaching in a class environment, group fitness is one of the most popular career opportunities in personal fitness. Roles vary from studio based formats to strength classes, cycling, dance fitness, boot camps, and more.

Common settings

  • Gyms and health clubs
  • Studios and boutique fitness facilities
  • Universities and community colleges
  • Community centers and parks departments
  • Corporate wellness programs

Why an exercise science degree helps

  • Stronger understanding of physiology and movement
  • Better programming logic and safer progressions
  • More confidence coaching mixed ability groups

Health Coach and Wellness Coach

Wellness coaches help clients improve health habits and lifestyle routines. This can include stress management, sleep improvement, sustainable movement routines, and basic nutrition support within an appropriate scope.

Wellness coaching can include

  • Building routines for movement and daily activity
  • Stress management strategies and recovery habits
  • Sleep improvement behaviors and accountability
  • Healthy nutrition habits within a coach’s scope

Many people who pursue health coaching and wellness careers choose to combine coaching work with formal education so they can expand their career options over time. If you want the broader foundation that supports long term growth, explore bachelor’s level study here:

Yoga Instructor and Pilates Instructor

Mind body instruction includes yoga, Pilates, breath work, and mobility focused coaching. Training and certification matter, but an exercise science education can strengthen your ability to teach safely and adapt sessions for different bodies and goals.

Why clients value a science based background

  • Safer movement modifications
  • Better understanding of mobility and stability
  • Stronger ability to progress clients over time

Sports Performance Careers With an Exercise Science Degree

Strength and Conditioning Coach

If you are asking what to do with an exercise science major and you love sports, strength and conditioning is a natural direction.

Strength and conditioning coaches often

  • Build performance programs for speed, power, strength, and conditioning
  • Coach technique, testing, and progression
  • Work with teams, athletic departments, private performance facilities, and sports academies
  • Collaborate with coaches and sports medicine staff

In competitive environments, advanced education can be a major advantage. If you want to pursue a higher level role working with athletes, consider graduate study to stand out and expand your opportunities:

Sports Coach

Sports coaches work in school programs, clubs, academies, and college athletics. Compensation varies widely depending on the sport, the level, and the institution. If your long term goal is athletic leadership, coaching experience can also be a pathway into administrative roles.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics lists coaches and scouts at a median pay of $45,920 per year as of May 2024:

Sports coaches may be responsible for

  • Teaching rules, strategy, and skill development
  • Running practices and conditioning sessions
  • Planning game strategy and making adjustments
  • Supporting athlete development and teamwork

Clinical and Healthcare Pathways With an Exercise Science Degree

Exercise Physiologist

Exercise physiologists often work in clinical or rehabilitation settings, supporting people with chronic conditions and recovery goals.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a median pay of $58,160 per year as of May 2024 and 9 percent projected growth from 2024 to 2034:

Common work settings

  • Hospitals and medical centers
  • Cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation programs
  • Physician offices
  • Rehabilitation clinics

Athletic Trainer

Athletic trainers help with injury prevention, evaluation, emergency care, and rehabilitation. Requirements vary by state and many roles require advanced education and licensure.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a median pay of $60,250 per year as of May 2024 and 11 percent projected growth from 2024 to 2034.

Athletic trainers often

  • Evaluate injuries and develop recovery plans
  • Provide emergency care and injury management
  • Work with athletes on prevention and performance readiness
  • Coordinate with physicians and rehabilitation teams

Dietitian and Nutritionist

Many exercise science graduates are interested in nutrition. Dietitian roles typically require a defined credential pathway that can include supervised practice and exams, and often includes state requirements.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a median pay of $73,850 per year as of May 2024:

Nutrition related options to consider

  • Nutrition coaching credentials for general wellness support within scope
  • Dietitian pathway for clinical nutrition and advanced roles
  • Combining nutrition knowledge with fitness coaching for higher value services

If you want to expand your options and compete for higher level roles, graduate education can be a strong next step:
https://www.lionel.edu/masters

Leadership and Education Careers

Fitness Director and Wellness Director

Leadership roles can include staff management, program planning, hiring, budgeting, and member experience. These careers often reward professionals who combine experience with formal education.

Leadership responsibilities can include

  • Hiring, training, and supporting staff
  • Managing budgets, schedules, and programming
  • Improving retention and client experience
  • Leading wellness initiatives and partnerships

If you want a degree that supports long term advancement, explore Lionel’s bachelor’s degree pathways here:

Athletic Director and Athletic Administration

Athletic directors oversee departments, compliance, budgets, staff, and operations across multiple sports. Requirements vary widely based on the institution.

Athletic directors may oversee

  • Department operations and staffing
  • Multi sport program budgets and planning
  • Policies, compliance, and scheduling
  • Facilities and event operations

Graduate education can help you build a stronger resume for advanced leadership roles:

Exercise Science Careers by Degree Level

What can you do with an associate degree in exercise science?

An associate degree can help you begin building experience in entry level roles. Many students pursue certifications and work while continuing their education.

Common next steps

  • Earn a personal training certification
  • Work in fitness while building client hours
  • Continue into a bachelor’s program for broader options

Start working sooner with Lionel Certified Personal Trainer:

What jobs can you get with a bachelor’s degree in exercise science?

A bachelor’s degree is one of the most versatile options. It can support careers in personal training, wellness coaching, strength and conditioning pathways, program coordination, and preparation for graduate study.

A bachelor’s degree can prepare you for

  • Personal training and specialized coaching roles
  • Strength and conditioning and sports performance pathways
  • Corporate wellness and program coordination roles
  • Graduate pathways such as physical therapy, occupational therapy, and more

Explore Lionel bachelor’s degree options:

What jobs can you get with a master’s degree in exercise science or a related field?

A master’s degree can help you stand out in competitive sports performance settings, leadership roles, and advanced career pathways.

A master’s degree may support

  • Higher level sports performance coaching roles
  • Leadership and director level opportunities
  • Stronger graduate level preparation and specialization

Degree Versus Certification in the Fitness Industry

Many people ask whether they should choose a certification or a college degree. The best answer depends on your goals.

Certification can help you start quickly

  • Often a minimum requirement for personal training jobs
  • Proves specific job ready skills
  • Can be earned faster than a degree

A degree can help you grow long term

  • Provides deeper science based education
  • Helps with advancement and leadership opportunities
  • Supports clinical and graduate pathways

If you want to begin working sooner, start with Lionel Certified Personal Trainer:

If you want broader career options and long term growth, explore bachelor’s education:

If you want to pursue advanced opportunities, consider a master’s program:

Frequently Asked Questions About Exercise Science Career Paths

What can you do with an exercise science degree?

You can pursue careers in personal fitness, health coaching, sports performance, and clinical pathways such as exercise physiology. Many graduates also use the degree as a foundation for advanced study.

What jobs can you get with an exercise science degree?

Common roles include personal trainer, fitness instructor, wellness coach, strength and conditioning coach, corporate wellness coordinator, exercise physiologist, and leadership roles like fitness director.

What to do with an exercise science major after graduation?

Start by choosing a direction, then build a plan that includes experience, credentials, and education.

Three common directions

  • Fitness and wellness coaching
  • Sports performance
  • Clinical and rehabilitation settings

What can I do with a fitness and health promotion degree?

A fitness and health promotion degree often overlaps with exercise science career paths. Many graduates pursue training, wellness coaching, community health programming, corporate wellness, and leadership roles.

Which therapeutics career focuses on holistic health: chiropractor massage therapist exercise physiologist athletic trainer?

If you mean holistic in the sense of whole body wellness, chiropractic and massage therapy are often described that way. Exercise physiologists and athletic trainers are typically more clinical and performance focused. Scope and requirements vary by location, so always verify local licensure rules.

All career options in the sports and exercise fields require a bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited college. True or false?

False. Many careers in personal fitness can begin with certification and experience. Some clinical and regulated pathways require more education and licensure.

Start Your Exercise Science Career at Lionel University

If you are ready to turn your interest in fitness into a real career, Lionel University can help you start with a credential that matches your timeline.

Choose your next step