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Biological Scientist, Biofeedback Analyst, Biomechanist, Exercise Physiologist, Exercise Specialist, Performance Coach, Program Leader, Rehabilitation Services Practitioner, Specialized Kinesiologist, Trainer
In Canada, the federal government groups and organizes occupations based on a National Occupational Classification (NOC) system. This alis occupation may not reflect the entire NOC group it is part of. Data for the NOC group can apply across multiple occupations.
The NOC system is updated every 5 years to reflect changes in the labour market. Government forms and labour market data may group and refer to an occupation differently, depending on the system used.
Here is how this occupation has been classified over time.
2006 NOC
2006 NOC-S
2011 NOC
2016 NOC
2021 NOC
2023 OaSIS
Kinesiologists study human movement and performance at home, work, sport, and recreational settings. They study all aspects of movement, including:
Kinesiologists can help to prevent and reduce risk for injury, treat and support recovery from injury, and achieve performance targets. They often work closely with other health, wellness, and sport professionals in fields such as:
Duties vary a lot. In general, kinesiologists may:
Research kinesiologists ask questions such as:
They may run assessments and tests using technology such as:
They may also:
Clinical kinesiologists may:
Kinesiologists may work outdoors or indoors. They can work in:
Those who work with sports teams may need to travel with the team.
The work can be physically demanding. Kinesiologists may do exercises with patients. They may need to move or lift patients who cannot exercise alone.
Research may involve long hours of studying computer output, collecting data, and monitoring exercise programs.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2006 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
Interest in consulting with individuals to provide information on lifestyles and methods to improve fitness, and in providing recommendations to enhance occupational health and safety
Interest in handling equipment to deliver programs that maintain, rehabilitate or enhance movement and performance; and in conducting fitness and human movement tests and assessments
Interest in co-ordinating information to design, organize and implement therapeutic fitness programs
To identify or change your interest codes, complete the Interests Exercise in CAREERinsite.
The interest code helps you figure out if you’d like to work in a particular occupation.
It’s based on the Canadian Work Preference Inventory (CWPI), which measures 5 occupational interests: Directive, Innovative, Methodical, Objective, and Social.
Each set of 3 interest codes for this NOC group is listed in order of importance.
A code in capital letters means it’s a strong fit for the occupation.
A code in all lowercase letters means the fit is weaker.
To fill in or change the values for your abilities, complete the Abilities Exercise in CAREERinsite.
A Quick Guide
You are born with abilities that help you process certain types of information and turn it into action. These abilities influence which skills you can learn more easily.
The abilities or aptitudes shown for this NOC group come from the General Aptitude Test Battery (GATB). The GATB measures 9 aptitudes. It groups them into 3 categories: mental, visual, and physical.
The abilities scores range from 1 to 5, with 5 being stronger.
Kinesiologists need:
They should enjoy:
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
This chart shows which job skills are currently in highest demand for this occupational group. It was created using this occupation's 65 most recent Alberta job postings, collected between Nov 03, 2021 and May 14, 2025.
Review these skills to learn:
| Interview patients and review reports from health care professionals to determine patients' current and potential functioning levels | 26 |
|---|---|
| Tasks: Implement treatment plans | 26 |
| Tasks: Prepare a treatment plan for each patient | 26 |
| Tasks: Observe and analyze patients during treatment sessions | 26 |
| Tasks: Initiate, design and implement specialized therapy programs | 26 |
| Tasks: Interview patients and review reports from health care professionals to determine patients' current and potential functioning levels | 25 |
| Attention to detail | 25 |
| Security and Safety: Criminal record check | 25 |
| Work Setting: Urban area | 24 |
| Design specialized therapy programs to maintain, rehabilitate or enhance movement, musculoskeletal functioning and performance in sports, work and recreation | 23 |
The minimum requirement for kinesiologists in Alberta is a 4-year bachelor’s degree. This is most often in kinesiology. However, some kinesiologists may have a degree in physical education with a major in physiology or a related discipline, such as kinesiology or exercise psychology.
Many kinesiologists have a master’s degree.
Kinesiologists often have an interdisciplinary background in:
A degree in kinesiology can also be a stepping stone to graduate studies or a degree in another profession such as:
The following schools offer programs or courses that are related to this occupation but are not required to enter the field.
To expand or narrow your program options, visit Post-Secondary Programs and start your search with:
Completing a program does not guarantee entrance into an occupation. Before enrolling in an education program, prospective students should look into various sources for education options and employment possibilities. For example, contact associations and employers in this field.
There is currently no provincial legislation regulating this occupation in Alberta. However, various organizations offer registration or certification to kinesiologists.
The Alberta Kinesiology Association (AKA) offers registration.
The Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology (CSEP) offers the following certifications:
Registration or certification with these organizations is voluntary. To learn about requirements, visit the organization’s website.
Source: 2021-2025 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook
Kinesiologists work for:
Specialized kinesiologists often set up their own practices. They may partner with other specialists such as:
Some self-employed kinesiologists work on a contract basis for more than 1 employer.
This section shows the industries where the majority of people in this occupation work. The data is based on the 2016 Census.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.
Other professional occupations in therapy and assessment
2016 NOC: 3144
84.8% of people in this occupational group work in:
NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.
This section shows the short-term demand forecasted for this occupation in Alberta over a 3-year period. It also shows the number of people employed in the occupation.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2021 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.
Source: 2024-2026 Alberta Short-Term Employment Forecast
NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.
To see data for all occupations, visit Occupations in Demand.
This section shows the employment outlook for this occupation in Alberta over a 5-year period.
Employment outlook is influenced by a wide variety of factors including:
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.
Source: 2021-2025 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook
Annual growth is from 2021 to 2025. New positions created each year are in addition to job openings created by employment turnover.
NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.
Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.
For information about current collective agreements in the public and not-for-profit sectors, see the Health Sciences Association of Alberta (HSAA) website.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2021 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
Unless otherwise noted, the data shown here is for all industries and all regions in Alberta.
All wage estimates are hourly except where otherwise indicated. Wages and salaries do not include overtime hours, tips, benefits, profit shares, bonuses (unrelated to production), and other forms of compensation.
To see the full survey data for this NOC group, visit the wage profile.
Other wage sources
To make an informed wage and salary decision, research other wage sources [pdf] to supplement this data.
Good Reliability, represents a CV of between 6.01% and 15.00% and/or fewer than 30 survey observations and/or if survey observations represent less than 50% of all estimated employment for the occupation.
| Wages* | Low (5th percentile) | High (95th percentile) | Average | Median |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting | $18.68 | $38.71 | $28.93 | $30.80 |
| Overall | $25.00 | $48.56 | $36.84 | $36.48 |
| Top | $28.85 | $51.47 | $42.41 | $43.41 |
Swipe left and right to view all data. Scroll left and right to view all data.
* All wage estimates are hourly except where otherwise indicated. Wages and salaries do not include overtime hours, tips, benefits, profit shares, bonuses (unrelated to production) and other forms of compensation.
Pay brackets for hourly wages
| ALL INDUSTRIES | $65,406 |
|---|---|
| Health Care & Social Assistance | $63,797 |
Alberta Kinesiology Association (AKA) website: www.albertakinesiology.ca
Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology (CSEP) website: www.csep.ca
Health Sciences Association of Alberta (HSAA) website: www.hsaa.ca
Get information and referrals about career, education, and employment options from Alberta Supports.
Updated Mar 31, 2024. The information contained in this profile is current as of the dates shown. Salary, employment outlook, and educational program information may change without notice. It is advised that you confirm this information before making any career decisions.
