The primary purpose of most kinesiology programs is to prepare you for a wide variety of careers in health, wellness, fitness, and education related fields.
For example, with a kinesiology degree, you will have the foundation to succeed in occupational fields ranging from "personal trainer", "athletic therapist", or "exercise scientist".
It also serves as great preparation for advanced and professional study in Kinesiology, and complimentary fields such as medicine, physiotherapy and chiropractics.
Because of this, an education in this field also provides an excellent foundation for health-related careers that require further education and training, such as "physical therapist", "doctor" and "chiropractor".
What You Can Do With a Kinesiology Degree
In our database, we've listed 47 diverse and interesting professions you can pursue with a kinesiology degree, including detailed career guides for each of them (mid-way down this page).
If you're interested in finding out more about how a degree in kinesiology can help you, take a look below; this careers guide contains detailed occupational information on many relevant career paths.
Included are job descriptions, expected salaries, educational requirements and other pertinent information related to these careers. We’ve also included Kinesiology-specific scholarships that you can apply for to help you pay for school!
What a Kinesiology Program Teaches You
Kinesiology is an interdisciplinary study involving the study of human movement. The curriculum in these programs allows you to gain an understanding of the complex interaction of the physiological, biomechanical, psychological, and sociological elements that make up human movement.
In addition to discovering the “how” and “why” of human movement, you will be able to understand how human movement can be optimized in terms of physical performance.
The curriculum of a typical Kinesiology degree program is very versatile in nature, and there are many possible areas of concentration for you to choose from. You will likely be able to select your academic focus based on your interests and what sort of career you want to pursue.
Below is a list of some of the areas of concentration offered in many Kinesiology programs in Canada and the United Sates.
• Biomechanics
• Ergonomics
• Exercise Science
• Health Psychology
• Human Anatomy
• Injuries and Rehabilitation
• Physiology
• Psychomotor Behaviour
• Sociology, Physical Activity and Sport
Employable Skills of Graduates
Graduates with a Bachelor’s of Science in Kinesiology are equipped with a set of skills and knowledge base that make them highly valuable within many relevant professional fields.
Graduates who best demonstrate these skills and can effectively apply their knowledge have little trouble securing employment in their field.
• A thorough understanding of the various factors affecting human movement, such as biological, psychological, social and aesthetic
• Able to effectively develop and administer injury prevention and rehabilitation plans
• Able to effectively perform physical risk assessments regarding work, leisure and sporting activities
• Ability to create strategies for the maximization of human physical potential by applying knowledge of biomechanics
• Knowledge of theories, trends and developments in the field of health and fitness
• Able to assess the quality and proper usage of athletic activities, equipment and environments
• Ability to organize, plan and administer physical activities and programs for individuals and groups
• Able to enhance the quality of life for individuals by developing, implementing and monitoring leisurely and recreational activities
• The ability to assess the physical and recreational needs of a community and make recommendations regarding the development of individual and community plans
Types of Kinesiology Careers
The Canadian Association of Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (CAPHERD) has categorized Kinesiology careers into four major categories. Each category has its own set of specific career fields that you can pursue as a kinesiology graduate. The four main occupational categories in Kinesiology are:
Fitness / Wellness Occupations
• Rehabilitation
• Sports Sciences
• Medical
Physical Education Occupations
• Research
• Coaching
• Administration
• Self-Employment
Recreation and Leisure Occupations
• Municipal Parks and Recreation
• Provincial/State & Federal Governments
• Youth Services Agencies
• Institutional Employment
• Commercial Recreation
• Camping and Outdoor Recreation
Health Education Occupations
• Teaching
• Volunteer/Community Based Occupations
• Government Agencies
• Self-Employment
Careers Relevant to a Kinesiology Degree
A degree in Kinesiology serves as an excellent foundation for any of the following careers:
• Blogger
• Cardiac Rehabilitation Specialist
• Occupational Therapist Assistant
• Recreation and Leisure Supervisor
• Recreation and Sports Director
• Strength and Conditioning Coach
Please Note: These careers are applicable to a bachelor's degree kinesiology because of the skills and competencies it can teach you. Some of them however, require additional education, training and/or experience. Click on careers that are of interest to you to find out more about the qualifications you’ll need.
Examples of Job Duties in Various Relevant Careers
As mentioned above, a career in Kinesiology can take many forms. Each of these would have a unique set of responsibilities and duties, based on the desired outcomes of the job.
Below are some examples of some general duties and responsibilities in this field:
• Designing athletic and sporting equipment
• Managing and administering sports facilities
• Advising on matters related to sport management and promotion
• Developing fitness and improvement plans for athletes
• Coaching or training amateur or professional athletes
• Administering community wellness programs
• Instructing physical education classes
• Liaising with other health professionals, such as physiotherapists and doctors
• Developing, implementing and monitoring fitness programs for the elderly
• Developing, implementing and monitoring rehabilitation programs for people who have movement disorders or difficulties
• Conducting workplace assessments in order to reduce possibility of injury and increase worker health and productivity
• Monitoring physical rehabilitation patients to ensure their exercise program is effective
• Utilizing various technologies, such as electrocardiographs and slow-motion film, in the assessment and testing of athletes/patients
• Studying the physiological requirements of exercise and related performance and health outcomes
• Studying the biomechanics and motor control of human movement
Average Salary Levels of Graduates
The average salary you could earn upon graduation, and beyond, varies based on a wide variety of factors, such as:
• The size, budget and type of your employer
• The discretion of your employer
• The level of education you’ve achieved and any additional, relevant training or experience
• The region in which you work
• The amount of responsibility inherent in your position
Most importantly, however, the salary you could earn with this degree varies based on the career field you choose to pursue with your degree. For example, on average, osteopathic physicians earn a much higher salary than gym managers. Below, we've gathered data for the average earnings of people in career fields that are relevant to a degree in kinesiology, in order to give you a rough idea of what you could earn.
Some of these occupational fields listed below are more directly relevant to a degree in kinesiology than others, although having a degree in kinesiology would be helpful for any of them.
Please Note: The salary information listed below is meant only to serve as a guideline. In many cases, workers in these fields can earn much more, or less less, than the figures stated.
Anatomist
Alberta: $84,998 (ALIS)
Canada: N/A
United Sates: $43,500 (indeed)
Athletic Director
Alberta: $68,890 (ALIS)
Canada: $74,000 (PayScale)
United Sates: $59,000 (PayScale)
Athletic Therapist
Alberta: $49,234 (ALIS)
Canada: N/A
United Sates: $46,630 (BLS)
Cardiac Rehabilitation Specialist
Alberta: $71,200 (ALIS)
Canada: N/A
United Sates: $43,923 (BLS)
Chiropractor
Alberta: N/A
Canada: $69,700 (indeed)
United Sates: $68,640 (BLS)
Dietitian
Alberta: $85,056 (ALIS)
Canada: $59,263 (PayScale)
United Sates: $59,410 (BLS)
Ergonomist
Alberta: $81,207 (ALIS)
Canada: $63,982 (PayScale)
United Sates: $39,000 (indeed)
Exercise Physiologist
Alberta: $49,234 (ALIS)
Canada: N/A
United Sates: $52,401 (Glassdoor)
Gym Manager
Alberta: N/A
Canada: $40,968 (PayScale)
United Sates: $33,703 (PayScale)
Health Care Consultant
Alberta: $101,292 (Glassdoor)
Canada: $86,164 (indeed)
United Sates: $76,292 (Glassdoor)
Kinesiologist
Alberta: $49,234 (ALIS)
Canada: N/A
United Sates: $49,090 (BLS)
Massage Therapist
Alberta: $54,084 (ALIS)
Canada: $68,102 (indeed)
United Sates: $51,900 (BLS)
Occupational Therapist
Alberta: $84,994 (ALIS)
Canada: $60,906 (PayScale)
United Sates: $83,200 (BLS)
Occupational Therapist Assistant
Alberta: $46,457 (ALIS)
Canada: N/A
United Sates: $64,318 (indeed)
Orthopaedic Technician
Alberta: N/A
Canada: N/A
United Sates: $66,240 (BLS)
Osteopathic Physician
Alberta: $94,842 (ALIS)
Canada: N/A
United Sates: $423,392 (BLS)
Personal Trainer
Alberta: $27,737 (ALIS)
Canada: $40,760 (Glassdoor)
United Sates: $39,210 (BLS)
Physical Education Teacher
Alberta: $73,966 (ALIS)
Canada: $47,824 (indeed)
United Sates: $48,919 (indeed)
Physical Therapy Assistant
Alberta: $46,457 (ALIS)
Canada: $41,660 (indeed)
United Sates: $46,920 (BLS)
Physiologist
Alberta: $84,998 (ALIS)
Canada: N/A
United Sates: $77,030 (BLS)
Physiotherapist
Alberta: $87,885 (ALIS)
Canada: $74,300 (indeed)
United Sates: $86,850 (BLS)
Recreation and Sports Director
Alberta: $68,890 (ALIS)
Canada: N/A
United Sates: $90,625 (indeed)
Registered Nurse
Alberta: $80,129 (ALIS)
Canada: $73,980 (indeed)
United Sates: $70,000 (BLS)
Research Assistant
Alberta: $41,027 (ALIS)
Canada: $32,796 (Glassdoor)
United Sates: $26,560 (BLS)
Sporting Goods Sales Rep
Alberta: $62,683 (ALIS)
Canada: $61,624 (indeed)
United Sates: $60,340 (BLS)
Sports Coach
Alberta: $32,688 (ALIS)
Canada: $38,840 (PayScale)
United Sates: $32,270 (BLS)
Sports Medicine Physician
Alberta: $94,842 (ALIS)
Canada: N/A
United Sates: $423,392 (BLS)
Sports Nutritionist
Alberta: $85,056 (ALIS)
Canada: N/A
United Sates: $59,410 (BLS)
Strength and Conditioning Coach
Alberta: $32,688 (ALIS)
Canada: $47,932 (PayScale)
United Sates: $32,270 (BLS)
University Professor
Alberta: $74,877 (ALIS)
Canada: $157,610 (indeed)
United Sates: $76,000 (BLS)
The name is brackets next to the salary data for each region is the sources from which the data was obtained. Please note, the salary data that is sourced from the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS.gov) is represents median salary figurer, rather than average salary figures.
Salary Data References:
• ALIS: Alberta Learning and Information Service (alis.alberta.ca), sponsored by the Government of Alberta. For an overview of their salary survey methodology, please visit here.
• PayScale: Private organization owned by PayScale Incorporated (payscale.com). For an overview of their salary survey methodology, please visit here.
• BLS: United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (bls.gov), sponsored by the federal government of the United States of America. For details regarding their salary survey methodology, please visit here.
• Glassdoor: indeed is a private organization owned by Glassdoor incorporated (glassdoor.com). For an overview of their salary survey methodology, please visit here.
• indeed: indeed is a private organization owned by indeed incorporated. They collect their salary estimation figures by averaging those found in past and present job advertisements submitted by users on Indeed over the past 36 months.
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Gaining Career Experience as a Student
Taking practicum courses and working as an intern can be a great advantage for you if you’re hoping to work in the field after graduation. Some Kinesiology degree programs may require you to pursue these opportunities as an academic requirement, while others may not.
Practicum courses
Practicum courses, when available, are typically offered as an elective or are a requirement of your program. Practicum courses are a chance to gain ‘real-world’ experience in a career field that’s suited to your ambitions and interests. You may be able to job shadow a personal trainer, volunteer as a coach, or volunteer with a community group or health care organization.
Internships
Internships are opportunities to gain work experience in relevant careers while completing your degree. An internship allows you to intern with a professional agency in a position best suited for your career goals and interests. These programs may or may not count towards credit for your degree, depending on the arrangement between yourself, your school and the employer.
Whether or not they are mandatory, practicum and internship opportunities related to your degree are highly recommended, as they have many benefits, including:
• Meeting professionals who are established in Kinesiology careers
• Getting your foot in the door with an organization
• Finding out what working in the field is actually like
• Meeting academic requirements
• May supplement your income
How Do I Find an Internship or Practicum?
Since these opportunities are often an academic requirement, you will likely have the opportunity arranged for you, or at least a variety of potential options presented to you. If it is not a requirement, speak with your professors, other Kinesiology department staff as well as your school’s guidance and career counselors to help you find a suitable opportunity.
Kinesiology Scholarships
If you’re looking for help in paying for your degree, then you’re in luck! Our scholarships database has Canadian and American scholarships that are specific to Kinesiology, as well as scholarships that are open to any field of study.
Success Tip: Be sure to apply for any and all scholarships for which you qualify, as there are millions of dollars of scholarships in Canada and the United States that go unused every year due to a lack of applicants.
