Kinesiologist
Kinesiologists study the factors that influence human movement. They look for ways to improve health outcomes. They focus on how to help the human body perform more efficiently at work, in sport, and in daily life.
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Biological Scientist, Biomechanist, Exercise Physiologist, Exercise Specialist, Program Leader, Rehabilitation Services Practitioner, 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:
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 study all aspects (psychological, physiological, biomechanical, historical, and sociological) of human movement in home, work, sport, and recreational settings.
Duties vary a lot in this field. In general, kinesiologists may:
Research kinesiologists may:
Clinical kinesiologists may:
Kinesiologists often work closely with other health and sport professionals.
Kinesiologists may work outdoors or indoors. They can work in:
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.
Kinesiologists need to possess:
They should enjoy working with people, using equipment, and solving problems.
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 51 most recent Alberta job postings, collected between Nov 03, 2021 and Jun 05, 2023.
Review these skills to learn:
Health benefits: Health care plan | 31 |
---|---|
Health benefits: Dental plan | 31 |
Long term benefits: Other benefits | 29 |
Long term benefits: Registered retirement savings plan (RRSP) | 29 |
Long term benefits: Life insurance | 28 |
Interview patients and review reports from health care professionals to determine patients' current and potential functioning levels | 26 |
Record observations, write progress reports and consult with other health care professionals to evaluate treatment plans | 23 |
Design specialized therapy programs to maintain, rehabilitate or enhance movement, musculoskeletal functioning and performance in sports, work and recreation | 23 |
Initiate, design and implement specialized therapy programs | 22 |
Implement treatment plans | 22 |
The minimum requirement is a 4-year bachelor’s degree. This is most often in kinesiology. However, some may have a degree in physical education with a major in physiology or a related discipline (such as kinesiology or exercise psychology). Many have a master’s degree.
Kinesiologists often have an interdisciplinary background (in physiology, anatomy, biomechanics, biomedical engineering, psychology or statistics).
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 search for programs related to this occupation, visit Post-Secondary Programs.
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.
However, the following voluntary certifications are available from the Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology (CSEP):
To learn more about scope of practice and certification requirements, visit the CSEP website.
Source: 2019-2023 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook
Kinesiologists work for:
Some self-employed kinesiologists work on a contract basis for more than one 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.
In the 3144: Other professional occupations in therapy and assessment occupational group, 84.8% of people work in:
Employment outlook is influenced by a wide variety of factors including:
In Alberta, the 3144: Other professional occupations in therapy and assessment occupational group is expected to have an above-average annual growth of 3.8% from 2019 to 2023. In addition to job openings created by employment turnover, 56 new positions are forecasted to be created within this occupational group each year.
Note
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 example, only some of the new positions to be created will be for this occupation. It also applies to other data for the NOC group such as number of people employed.
Source: 2019-2023 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook
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 2016 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.
High Reliability, represents a CV of less than or equal to 6.00% and 30 survey observations and/or represents 50% or more of all estimated employment for the occupation.
Wages* | Low (5th percentile) | High (95th percentile) | Average | Median |
---|---|---|---|---|
Starting | $16.50 | $37.85 | $30.64 | $35.81 |
Overall | $19.50 | $49.80 | $37.38 | $43.13 |
Top | $20.91 | $50.33 | $40.81 | $47.67 |
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
Public Administration | $73,071 |
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ALL INDUSTRIES | $64,143 |
Health Care & Social Assistance | $63,833 |
Alberta Kinesiology Association (AKA) website: 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, 2018. 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.