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Exercise Technician Salary in the United States

How much does an Exercise Technician make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for an Exercise Technician in the United States is $50,750 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $24.

However, an Exercise Technician's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $62,289
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $44,970 to $56,790
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $39,708
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Exercise Technician Salaries

An Exercise Technician's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Exercise Technician Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Exercise Technician's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $48,852
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $49,025
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $51,201
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $53,725
  • Expert (over 8 years): $53,905
Levels Salary
Entry Level Exercise Technician$48,852
Intermediate Level Exercise Technician$49,025
Senior Level Exercise Technician$51,201
Specialist Level Exercise Technician$53,725
Expert Level Exercise Technician$53,905
View as Graph

How Do Exercise Technician Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Exercise Technicians. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $56,190.
  • California: $55,980.
  • Massachusetts: $55,240.

Top Paying Cities for Exercise Technicians

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $64,010
  • San Francisco: $63,310
  • Oakland: $61,980

What Skills Can Increase an Exercise Technician's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 6% Job Postings): Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
  • Cardiac (Mentioned in 4.91% Job Postings): Cardiac means relating to the heart. The adjective cardiac is most often used in a medical context: a doctor who operates on people's hearts is a cardiac surgeon and an irregular heart beat is called "cardiac arrhythmia."
  • Exercise Physiology (Mentioned in 2.99% Job Postings): Exercise physiology is the physiology of physical exercise. It is one of the allied health professions that involves the study of the acute responses and chronic adaptations to exercise. Understanding the effect of exercise involves studying specific changes in muscular, cardiovascular, and neurohumoral systems that lead to changes in functional capacity and strength due to endurance training or strength training. The effect of training on the body has been defined as the reaction to the adaptive responses of the body arising from exercise or as "an elevation of metabolism produced by exercise". Exercise physiologists study the effect of exercise on pathology, and the mechanisms by which exercise can reduce or reverse disease progression.
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 6%
Cardiac 4.91%
Exercise Physiology 2.99%
See More Skills

What skills can make your compensation higher?

Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on an Exercise Technician's salary.

  • Alignment: Can increase your salary by up to 12%.
  • Innovation: Can increase your salary by up to 11%.
  • Pediatric: Can increase your salary by up to 9%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Alignment $56,840
12%
Innovation $56,333
11%
Pediatric $55,318
9%
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Exercise Technician Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Exercise Technician salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $53,866. While startup companies pay approximate $45,871.

Exercise Technician Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $45,871
Growth Stage 51~500 $48,434
Established 501~5000 $52,092
Enterprise 5000+ $53,866

Exercise Technician Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Exercise Technician roles, the industry you choose can impact your earning potential by as much as 40% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the highest-paying industry, Healthcare, offers compensation 20% above the average. Conversely, Exercise Technician positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as this sector often view Exercise Technician as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industry for an Exercise Technician

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Healthcare$60,900$29.020%

How Education impacts an Exercise Technician's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Exercise Technicians enter the field with a No Diploma degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for an Exercise Technician with a No Diploma is between $49,786 and $52,824).

Exercise Technician Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Exercise Technician
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 7.5%
High School 7.5%
Associates 2.7%
Bachelors 63.2%
Masters 26.0%
Doctorate 0.6%
View as Graph

Exercise Technician Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an Exercise Technician's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on September 01, 2026
$44,970
Average $50,750/year
$56,790
$3,748
Average $4,229/month
$4,733
$865
Average $976/week
$1,092
$22
Average $24/hour
$27
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $56,790 $4,733 $1,092 $27
Average $50,750 $4,229 $976 $24
25th Percentile $44,970 $3,748 $865 $22

Exercise Technician Salary Growth & Career Path

Exercise Technician

Next Role

Advancement

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As an Exercise Technician, you have the following paths for advancement. The table below compares the salary raises for common next-step roles. By comparing these figures, you can choose the career path that best meets your financial goals.

Next Step Role Estimate Salary Projected Raise
Medical Exercise Physiologist $67,500 33%
Licensed Physical Therapist (LPT) III $122,500 141%

Most common benefits for Exercise Technician

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Exercise Technician

Here are companies hiring for Exercise Technician and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Exercise Technician

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Exercise Technician?

The Healthcare industry offers the highest average compensation for Exercise Technician roles, with salaries approximately 20% above the market median.

2. How much does an exercise specialist earn in NYC?

As of January 5, 2025, Exercise Technicians in New York earn between $48,300 and $59,720 annually, with a median salary of $53,570. This reflects a range of approximately $23.19 to $28.70 per hour, depending on experience and qualifications.

3. What pays more PT or OT?

When comparing salaries, Exercise Technicians earn between $48,300 and $59,720, with a mid-salary of $53,570. In contrast, physical therapists average $97,960, while occupational therapists earn around $92,800. Therefore, both PTs and OTs generally earn more than Exercise Technicians.

4. What is the average salary for a tech in the US?

The average salary for an Exercise Technician in the US ranges from $48,300 to $59,720, with a mid-salary of approximately $53,570. This reflects a diverse salary landscape, similar to other professions, where factors like location and experience can significantly influence earnings.

5. How much do US techs get paid?

In the U.S., Exercise Technicians earn between $48,300 and $59,720 annually, with a median salary of $53,570. This reflects a range of compensation that varies based on experience and location, providing a competitive salary within the healthcare field.

6. How are technicians usually paid?

Technicians are typically paid within a range that reflects their experience and skills. For example, the salary data for Exercise Technicians shows a minimum salary of $48,300, a mid-salary of $53,570, and a maximum salary of $59,720. To remain competitive, employers should consider offering salaries that align with or exceed these figures.

7. Can technicians make 100k?

Technicians typically earn between $48,300 and $59,720 annually, with a mid-salary of $53,570. While some experienced technicians may approach higher earnings, reaching $100,000 is uncommon and usually requires extensive experience and specialized skills. Pay varies based on proven abilities and specific roles within the field.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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