8 Rewarding Careers for Aspiring Exercise and Sport Scientists

With a background in exercise and sport science, you’ll gain the freedom to explore many career paths, said David Kell, MS ’13, a professor of exercise science at Sacred Heart University. He also earned an exercise science master’s degree from SHU. He previously worked as an endurance coach, a strength and conditioning coach and a physical therapist assistant.

“The education and the training allow you to make quick assessments and provide informed tips on subjects like exercise and nutrition,” he added. “You can be succinct in your directions and with a few tweaks help someone refine their approach in a particular exercise that can lead to big gains.”

With a growing demand for performance optimization, injury prevention and health analytics, the exercise and sport science field is growing. It’s opening doors to a range of rewarding careers, particularly for those with a master’s in exercise science.

Here are eight jobs that you can pursue as an exercise science professional:

• Strength and Conditioning Coach
• Tactical Strength and Conditioning Coach
• Performance Analyst
• Exercise Physiologist
• Wellness Coordinator/Health Education Specialists
• Biomechanist
• Fitness consultant
• Sport Scientist or Researcher

1. Strength and Conditioning Coach

From helping a college athlete shave seconds off a 50-meter run to boosting the resilience of a weekend warrior, strength and conditioning coaches have a skillset that helps people of all physical abilities and across the lifespan to achieve their physical goals. They design and implement training programs that improve strength, speed, agility and reduce injury risk. They work for professional and academic sports teams, as well as performance training centers.

With many individuals and institutions investing in physical fitness, the demand for strength and conditioning coaches will continue to increase. Jobs are expected to grow by about 20% through 2028, with salaries ranging from about $54,000 to $83,400 a year. Depending on where you work, salaries can be even higher.

2. Tactical Strength and Conditioning Coach

Those who are drawn to some of the toughest jobs can benefit from the expertise of tactical strength and conditioning coaches. These professionals design and implement training programs for emergency service workers (fire and rescue, law enforcement and first responders) and military personnel to enhance their physical performance.

Tactical strength and conditioning coaches help to build endurance, strength and resilience to address the unique physiological and physical stresses these professionals face.

This is a growing field with many seasoned exercise science professionals transitioning to this career track. A tactical strength and conditioning coach with a master’s degree can earn about $70,000 a year.

3. Performance Analyst

Tap your inner techie and combine a love of data with real-life application. By using GPS tracking, heart rate monitoring and motion analysis, sport scientists measure and optimize athletic performance for clients of all abilities and ages.

This expertise is invaluable for professional sports organizations, training centers, wearable tech companies, sports academies and research institutions. Professionals work with athletes or help to bring new products and technologies to market.

The sports industry is experiencing a shift toward analytics-driven decision-making, which is causing a demand for qualified data experts who can mine data to create personalized training programs, prevent injury and track recovery. The average salary for a sport performance analyst is about $75,000 a year, with the top earners making about $118,500.

4. Exercise Physiologist

Exercise physiologists design programs to improve cardiovascular function, muscular strength, flexibility and endurance. By using medical equipment and tests to assess a person’s endurance, stress levels, blood pressure, cardiovascular health and other key indicators, these professionals develop injury recovery plans or roadmaps for optimal athletic performance.

Exercise physiologists work in hospitals, schools, wellness and rehabilitation centers or corporate wellness programs. They may work with physicians and other health care professionals to develop individualized plans to slow disease progression in patients or help with mobility.

Ten percent job growth is expected through 2033, as exercise becomes increasingly integrated into disease prevention, rehabilitation and overall wellness programs. The median annual wage for exercise physiologists is $58,160, with top earners taking home about $77,680.

5. Wellness Coordinator/Health Education Specialists

Are you keen to make your future co-workers healthier? A wellness coordinator designs and implements wellness programs that improve overall physical and mental health for individuals and organizations. They work on programs to reduce workplace stress, increase employee productivity and decrease health care costs through preventive care.

Whether leading a corporate wellness program, working in a fitness or health care center, serving as an independent consultant or providing wellness guidance in a university, nonprofit or community organization, wellness coordinators conduct fitness assessments, provide exercise tips, offer guidance on nutrition and workplace stress management and lead initiatives that foster healthy habits.

As more organizations recognize the importance of wellness and preventive care programs and the focus on holistic health rises, the need for wellness coordinators will likely increase in the coming years. You can expect to make about $63,000 a year, with the highest earners at nearly $113,000.

6. Biomechanist

If you are fascinated by the movement and mechanics of the human body and ways to improve how people move, then a career as a biomechanist may be the path for you.

You could work with a footwear company to design better running shoes or conduct tests in a research lab. You could develop medical devices or work with physicians and therapists in a hospital to help patients regain mobility. You might work in a sports medicine clinic with college and elite athletes and analyze their techniques and movement to detect injury risk or ways to optimize performance. You might solely focus on research.

With advancements in motion capture and AI modeling, biomechanists are in demand for performance enhancement and clinical assessment. The average annual salary is about $79,000, but pay can rise based on location and level of schooling. Those with doctoral degrees can command a six-figure salary.

7. Fitness consultant

For many, getting more exercise and increasing their fitness level is a perennial goal—one that can be met with the help of a fitness consultant. These professionals personalize activity plans, teach proper exercise techniques, help clients set goals, share lifestyle recommendations and track progress while providing motivation and support.

While you’ll find fitness consultants in gyms and fitness centers, they also bring their knowledge to corporate wellness programs, private practices, hospitals and medical centers. Some will work as independent contractors or offer remote services through online platforms.

As opposed to a fitness trainer, fitness consultants offer a more holistic approach to health and wellness guidance as they advise clients on fitness, nutrition, goal-goal setting, injury prevention and lifestyle changes. The average annual salary for a fitness consultant is about $70,000 a year, with top earners making about $90,000.

8. Sport Scientist or Researcher

Getting others to perform better, move safer and live healthier begins with a foundational understanding of evidence-based approaches that lead to successful outcomes. Sport scientists and researchers conduct studies on human performance, injury prevention, sport nutrition and training methods that lead to applicable strategies, tips and guidance or new products or tech.

Sport scientists or researchers typically work at universities or sports institutes or hold positions in research and development labs.

Increasingly, sports franchises and organizations, sports academies, hospitals and other institutions are looking for exercise and sport science professionals who can lead and collaborate on sport science research projects that drive innovation, improve training and enhance athletic performance. While the average annual pay for a sports researcher varies greatly, the average annual pay is about $113,000 a year, with top earners making about $154,000. Though wages can be higher based on location and educational levels.

Ready to make an impact in exercise and sport science?

Whether you see yourself working with pro athletes, designing tech or conducting research, a degree in exercise and sport science gives you a foundation to launch a future in a high-impact, high-growth field. If you’re ready to turn your love of sport and science into a powerful and rewarding career, now’s the time to start.

While a bachelor’s degree may be the entry point for some careers in this field, by enrolling in an exercise science master’s program you can improve your job prospects, expand career options and potentially lead to higher earnings and more specialized roles. And some advanced certifications may require a master’s degree.

Sacred Heart University’s Master of Science in exercise & sport science program prepares graduates to use the tools and technology that lead to optimal health and sports performance. Learn more about the exercise science graduate program at Sacred Heart by reaching out to Lea DiStasio, director of graduate admissions & recruitment, by scheduling a meeting, emailing distasiol2@sacredheart.edu or calling 203-371-7884.

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