Exercise Physiologists vs Recreational Therapists: $59K vs $62K Median Pay

Exercise Physiologists vs Recreational Therapists: what changes?

Consider Exercise Physiologists if you want to assess, plan, or implement fitness programs that include exercise or physical activities such as those designed to improve cardiorespiratory function, body composition, muscular strength, muscular endurance, or…. Consider Recreational Therapists if you would rather plan, direct, or coordinate medically-approved recreation programs for patients in hospitals, nursing homes, or other institutions. Both list bachelor's degree; compare training and prior experience separately.

Try this next: Compare three local entry-level postings for Exercise Physiologists and Recreational Therapists. List the duties, credentials, prior experience, and paid training each employer actually asks for. Try a supervised class or sample project from each field before choosing a program.

BLS 2025 wages and 2025–2035 projections. National medians are not starting offers. Occupation size is not a count of vacancies. View the BLS data.

Compare the practical differences

Exercise Physiologists

National median pay (2025): $59,460
Route into the job: Bachelor's degree
Prior related experience: No prior related occupation is typically required; employer requirements vary.
Training and licensing: BLS does not list a separate on-the-job training requirement. Employers may still provide orientation and role-specific training.
Work to investigate: Develop exercise programs to improve participant strength, flexibility, endurance, or circulatory functioning, in accordance with exercise science standards, regulatory requirements, and credentialing requirements.
Annual openings (2025–2035): 1,400

Know before you choose

This is a small national occupation (21,200 jobs in 2025), so location and employer concentration can matter more than the national median suggests.

See the full Exercise Physiologists brief

Recreational Therapists

National median pay (2025): $61,960
Route into the job: Bachelor's degree
Prior related experience: No prior related occupation is typically required; employer requirements vary.
Training and licensing: BLS does not list a separate on-the-job training requirement. Employers may still provide orientation and role-specific training.
Work to investigate: Instruct patient in activities and techniques, such as sports, dance, music, art, or relaxation techniques, designed to meet their specific physical or psychological needs.
Annual openings (2025–2035): 1,400

Know before you choose

This is a small national occupation (15,600 jobs in 2025), so location and employer concentration can matter more than the national median suggests.

See the full Recreational Therapists brief

How the national numbers differ

Exercise Physiologists has the edge on projected growth

Exercise Physiologists is at 12.8% projected growth, compared with 4.8% projected growth for Recreational Therapists.

Recreational Therapists has the edge on median pay

Recreational Therapists is at $61,960, compared with $59,460 for Exercise Physiologists.

49.6/ 100

Exercise Physiologists

44.2/ 100

Recreational Therapists

Each available metric is ranked from 0 to 100 against the careers on ChooseField. The weighted average uses this profile: pay 30%, growth 25%, openings 30%, preparation level 15%. Missing values are not scored as zero; their weights are redistributed across available metrics. Occupation size has zero weight: employment is not accessible vacancies. Preparation categories do not measure admission difficulty or years without earnings. The score summarizes national measures; local opportunities and personal fit still need separate consideration.

Detailed evidence

Exercise Physiologists vs Recreational Therapists

Dimension	Exercise Physiologists	Recreational Therapists
Median pay (2025)	$59,460	$61,960
Pay percentile	47 percentile	51.5 percentile
Projected growth (2025–2035)	12.8%	4.8%
Annual openings (2025–2035)	1,400	1,400
2025 employment	21,200	15,600
How you qualify	Bachelor's degree	Bachelor's degree
O*NET preparation group	Job Zone 4	Job Zone 4
Related work experience	No prior related occupation is typically required; employer requirements vary.	No prior related occupation is typically required; employer requirements vary.
On-the-job training	BLS does not list a separate on-the-job training requirement. Employers may still provide orientation and role-specific training.	BLS does not list a separate on-the-job training requirement. Employers may still provide orientation and role-specific training.

The table reports national benchmarks and reviewed work descriptions. It does not rate personal suitability, job security, or physical safety.

Read Exercise Physiologists brief Read Recreational Therapists brief

Exercise Physiologists vs Recreational Therapists: what changes?

The facts most likely to affect your decision

Exercise Physiologists

Recreational Therapists

How the national numbers differ

Exercise Physiologists has the edge on projected growth

Recreational Therapists has the edge on median pay

Exercise Physiologists vs Recreational Therapists

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