High-Paying Jobs In Exercise Science: Salary And Skills

Updated 29 December 2022

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Exercise science professionals play a significant role in the health and safety of people of different ages. It includes a wide range of disciplines that make use of kinesiology and exercise physiology to understand physical movement and the associated functional responses. Exercise science offers a variety of rewarding career opportunities, from health professions and physical therapy to sports and recreation. In this article, we discuss various high-paying jobs in exercise science and identify the relevant skills required to achieve success in this field.

10 High-Paying Jobs In Exercise Science

If you are interested in this career path, below are the top 10 high-paying jobs in exercise science to consider:

1. Physical Therapy Assistant

National average salary: ₹3,30,448 per year

Primary duties: Physical therapy assistants act as liaisons between the patients, physical therapists and other departments. These professionals help patients stand, walk, sit and move them with wheelchairs to different areas of the facility as part of their daily routine. It is also their responsibility to observe patients before, during and after their prescribed therapy, noting their observations and concerns and reporting to the physical therapist. They ensure that equipment and treatment rooms are clean and sanitised.

Under the supervision and direction of a physical therapist, they treat patients through massage, gait, exercise and balance training, along with other therapeutic interventions. They also perform a variety of administrative tasks, like scheduling appointments, ordering supplies or completing insurance forms.

2. Sports Coach

National average salary: ₹2,41,606 per year

Primary duties: Coaches have the responsibility of planning, strategising, organising and delivering a diverse array of sports programmes and activities for individuals, and teams. Coaches provide a conducive environment for the athletes to learn and motivate them to achieve success. They prepare the training schedule and set goals, visions and standards for the team.

It is their duty to create an inclusive and positive environment and conduct preparations and practices for competitions. To foster team spirit, coaches encourage communication between athletes.

3. Chiropractor

National average salary: ₹4,89,370 per year

Primary duties: Chiropractors treat the muscles, skeletal system and nerves to alleviate pain, and improve functioning. They diagnose a patient's problems and then adjust the spine, and other parts of the body to make sure they are in proper alignment. They also recommend healthy diet plans and exercises to ensure the quick recovery of a patient. Chiropractors assess the patient's state by performing physical examinations and reviewing their past medical history.

With the help of X-ray films, they analyse the patient's spine and posture. They also perform chiropractic adjustments and use heat or cold therapy, all of which are part of chiropractic treatment.

4. Massage Therapist

National average salary: ₹3,23,922 per year

Primary duties: Massage therapists aid in clients' overall well-being by manipulating muscles and other soft tissues to reduce pain, stimulate blood flow, increase relaxation and relieve stress. During the initial consultation, they discuss their clients' physical conditions, medical histories and what they hope to accomplish through massage. They also explain treatment methods and techniques based on the client's needs. These professionals also provide clients with instructions on exercises, stretches and relaxation techniques.

5. Gym Manager

National average salary: ₹3,05,509 per year

Primary duties: The gym manager scrutinises and maintains the equipment and other facilities offered by the gym. To increase revenue, they source diverse means to advertise and promote the gym centre to increase usage. They prioritise target activities and user groups, especially in local authority centres. Managers of gyms hire, train and supervise staff.

They also resolve problems, such as emergencies, theft and accidents. As experts in health safety and environment (HSE), they ensure all staff members receive first aid and safety training to handle emergency situations.

6. Physician Assistants

National average salary: ₹2,73,510 per year

Primary duties: The physician assistant carries out various medical activities under the supervision of a licensed physician. They interview and examine patients to determine diagnosis, order tests to confirm the diagnosis and find out the nature or extent of illnesses and injuries. They also offer moral support to patients and their families and provide them with regular updates on the patient's recovery.

Physician assistants are skilled in setting fractured bones and stitching wounds. They often support surgical staff during surgery sessions and procedures. It is their duty to counsel patients or their attendants on managing a medical condition. They are also proficient at preparing medical records such as case histories, discharge summaries and death certificates.

7. Physical Education Teacher

National average salary: ₹2,88,671 per year

Primary duties: It is the duty of physical education (PE) teachers to establish precise objectives for every lesson, unit and project and keep records of all physical education activities. PE teachers coordinate supplemental physical programmes with classroom teachers and lead by personal example. By conducting various sports activities, instructors assess each student's physical capabilities and plan a range of recreational activities that are integral to a student's growth.

8. Occupational Therapists

National average salary: ₹3,01,341 per year

Primary duties: Occupational therapists use a variety of therapeutic techniques to help patients regain and maintain their abilities to perform daily tasks. They conduct a thorough assessment of the patient's physical condition, limitations, medical history and mental health. With the information obtained, they assess the patient's work environment and or home and recommend adjustments to fit the patient's needs.

Occupational therapists develop physical rehabilitation programmes that aid patients recover lost skills. They advise the patient on adaptive equipment to help them with their daily activities. They also evaluate results and the progress of occupational therapy on clients.

9. Registered Dietician

National average salary: ₹2,51,715 per year

Primary duties: Registered dieticians design nutrition plans to tackle specific health problems or suit patients' current health conditions like hypertension, eating disorders, obesity, or diabetes. It is their primary responsibility to implement age-specific, personalised and culturally appropriate nutrition strategies for clients. Registered dieticians develop facility-wide nutritional programmes for educational, correctional, health care and other institutions.

They also increase public awareness of healthy nutritional standards and habits. Another duty of a registered dietician is to routinely monitor patients' progress and adjust diet plans when necessary. They also deliver client nutrition recommendations to clients' aides, physicians or nurses.

10. Fitness Instructor

National average salary: ₹2,55,614 per year

Primary duties: Training for fitness involves instructing and motivating individuals and groups in physical activities, such as stretching, aerobics and strength exercises. Fitness trainers are typically responsible for demonstrating exercise techniques, coaching them during exercises to improve fitness and prevent injury, and keeping track of their progress. A fitness trainer also explains and enforces safety rules on exercise equipment, and sport activities along with advising clients on diet, weight control and lifestyle issues.

The aforementioned are the several high-paying jobs in exercise science along with their average national salaries.

Skills Needed For Exercise Science Jobs

Below are some skills needed for exercise science jobs:

Communication skills: Professionals in the exercise science field have effective communication skills that they use when explaining treatment plans to patients and collaborating with their colleagues.
Active listening skills: Active listening involves listening intently, understanding what a client is saying, comprehending the information and responding thoughtfully. This helps you communicate more effectively with clients and earn their trust.
Instructing skills: Trainers and instructional professionals in the exercise science field help their clients improve their physical fitness and adopt healthier lifestyles.
Monitoring or supervision skills: It enables you to keep track of client progress, help them identify which parts of their training or physical activity require more attention and provide feedback.
Critical thinking and decision-making skills: As an exercise science professional, being able to present a method for changing attitudes and lifestyle choices is essential. Having good decision-making skills can help you determine which treatment plan is most appropriate for a client.

Salary figures reflect data listed on Indeed Salaries at time of writing. Salaries may vary depending on the hiring organisation and a candidate’s experience, academic background and location.