Kinesiology is the study of human movement and its influence on health, performance and everyday function. This interdisciplinary field draws from a range of areas, including anatomy and physiology to biomechanics and psychology.
The study of kinesiology seeks to understand how physical activity can prevent injury, support rehabilitation and promote long-term well-being. Kinesiology majors gain a strong foundation in both scientific research and practical application. This area of study offers preparation for a variety of career paths and serves as a common entry point for advanced degree programs in health and medical sciences.
While not many job titles and descriptions carry the title “kinesiologist,” this degree works as a launching pad into a wide range of health and medical fields where your understanding of movement is in demand.
You can pursue advanced study to become a medical doctor, or move into one of several health care roles once you earn the right certification or license. A kinesiology bachelor’s degree — whether you earn it online or in-person — serves as a flexible building block for many different careers, especially if you want to specialize in physical movement within a specific field.
What jobs can you get with a kinesiology bachelor's degree?
When it comes to building a career with your kinesiology bachelor's degree, you have a few paths to choose from. Some roles, like fitness trainer and health coach, put you to work in gyms, studios or wellness centers. Others, like rehabilitation assistant and exercise physiologist, place you inside larger health care systems working alongside physical therapists and physicians.
Note, some roles may require certification or licensure beyond your bachelor's degree. This depends on what state you live in, so build time into your plan to earn the credential your specific career path requires. Included below is U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data for the median annual wage for these roles as of May 2024, and the projected growth in employment for them from 2024 to 2034.
- Physical therapist assistant: Support physical therapists as they help patients regain movement and manage pain after injury or illness.
- $65,050
- 16% (Much faster than average)
- Fitness trainer: Lead, instruct and motivate clients through personalized or group exercise programs.
- $46,180
- 12% (Much faster than average)
- Exercise physiologist: Create fitness programs to manage chronic conditions and boost recovery.
- $58,160
- 9% (Faster than average)
- Health education specialists: Work as a health coach and teach people about healthy behaviors and connect them with programs and resources that support long-term wellness.
- $63,000
- 4% (As fast as average)
Which kinesiology careers require a graduate degree?
For those who are willing to pursue advanced study, several careers in kinesiology open up beyond the bachelor's level. Included is the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data for the median annual wage for the roles as of May 2024, and the projected growth in employment for them from 2023 to 2033.
Here’s an overview of roles that require additional study:
- Physician assistant: Diagnose and treat patients under a physician's supervision.
- $133,260
- 20% (Much faster than average)
- Physical therapist: Restore physical function and manage pain through rehabilitation plans.
- $101,020
- 11% (Much faster than average)
- Medical doctor: Diagnose, treat and help prevent injuries and illnesses in clinical or nonclinical settings.
- $239,200
- 3% (As fast as average)
- Athletic trainer: Support injury prevention, evaluation and recovery for active individuals.
- $60,250
- 11% (Much faster than average)
- Occupational therapist: Help people regain or build everyday skills necessary for their independence.
- $98,340
- 14% (Much faster than average)
- Chiropractor: Diagnose and treat musculoskeletal conditions using hands-on techniques.
- $79,000
- 10% (Much faster than average)
Picking the right path
Not sure which career path is right for you? Students in Arizona State University's online kinesiology program take KIN 101, Introduction to Kinesiology, in their first semester. One of the first projects in the course is a career assignment. Here's how it works:
- You pick a first-choice and second-choice career.
- You research these roles, looking into things such as average salary, average number of hours worked weekly, projected demand for the career, level of education required and pros and cons of each career.
- You pick one of the careers to focus on for the rest of the project. For the one you choose, you list your top three graduate schools for that career and do a deep dive into the requirements for each of them.
“Usually after doing this, students have a much better idea of what career is right for them,” says Tannah Broman, a teaching professor in the College of Health Solutions at Arizona State University. “Additionally, we’ll have guest speakers representing the most common future professions for our students. These professionals provide much needed insight into the reality of their career, which helps students in their decision-making process. We can also meet with students one-on-one to talk through their options and help them decide.”
How much do kinesiology careers pay?
We’ve already covered specific salary figures for individual careers in kinesiology above, so here’s the bigger picture. Entry-level roles that only require a bachelor's degree and the right certification or license typically pay between $46,180 and $65,050 a year, based on the BLS data above. If you pursue a graduate degree, the national average kinesiology salary climbs to roughly $118,512 a year, with individual careers ranging from $79,000 to $239,200.
Start your kinesiology degree at ASU
ASU’s Bachelor of Science in kinesiology readies you to support health, recovery and performance through a deeper understanding of how the body moves. In this program, you’ll gain the skills to assess human movement, understand physical function and apply research to practical challenges.
Coursework focuses on the fundamentals of anatomy, physiology, biomechanics, motor control and psychology. You'll also develop the ability to interpret data, solve complex problems and communicate scientific information clearly.
Broman puts it plainly: “Because we expect you to attend graduate school, we’re focused more on providing the theory you need. Your graduate program will teach you the skills you need. In this bachelor’s program, you’ll develop your ability to obtain and evaluate scientific research, and apply that research to determine the best course of treatment for your patients.”
“We often hear from former students who are very grateful we made them read, evaluate and apply so much research,” Broman says.
Whether you want to pursue advanced health care studies or explore other career paths in exercise science, this program gives you the foundation you need to reach your goals.