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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.

Also Known As

Biological Scientist, Biomechanist, Exercise Physiologist, Exercise Specialist, Program Leader, Rehabilitation Services Practitioner, Trainer

NOC Codes

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: Kinesiologists (4167.1) 
  • 2006 NOC-S: Recreation, Sports and Fitness Program Supervisors and Consultants (E036) 
  • 2011 NOC: Other professional occupations in therapy and assessment (3144) 
  • 2016 NOC: Other professional occupations in therapy and assessment (3144) 
Interests & Abilities

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.

Kinesiologists

2006 NOC: 4167.1

Interest Codes

Interest Codes for This NOC Group
SOCIAL

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

DIRECTIVE

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

INNOVATIVE

Interest in co-ordinating information to design, organize and implement therapeutic fitness programs

Your Interest Codes

To identify or change your interest codes, complete the Interests Exercise in CAREERinsite.

Reading Interest Codes
A Quick Guide

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.

Learn About Interests

Abilities

Typical ability expectations for this NOC group
Your abilities

To fill in or change the values for your abilities, complete the Abilities Exercise in CAREERinsite.

Mental Abilities

General Learning Ability

Verbal Ability

Numerical Ability

Visual Abilities

Spatial Perception

Form Perception

Clerical Perception

Physical Abilities

Motor Coordination

Finger Dexterity

Manual Dexterity

Understanding Abilities

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.

Learn About Abilities

Duties
Updated Mar 31, 2018

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:

  • design athletic equipment and treatment plans (based on client needs)
  • manage sports centres
  • work in sports management and promotion
  • work with athletes to improve their fitness and performance levels
  • coach or train athletes on proper mechanics
  • lead community health programs
  • teach kinesiology
  • test seniors’ fitness and mobility levels (to reduce and prevent accidents)
  • test clients’ fitness levels (to develop physical activity programs)
  • assess cardiac patients and recommend suitable levels of exercise (in consultation with a doctor)
  • develop rehabilitation programs (for people with movement disorders)
  • run workplace assessments (to reduce losses due to injury and to increase worker productivity).

Research kinesiologists may:

  • monitor patients during exercise intervention programs (to make sure the program produces the desired results)
  • use technology to run assessments and tests (such as electrocardiographs, metabolic systems, electromyography, biofeedback machines, slow-motion film, and videotapes)
  • study the physiological requirements of exercise and related performance and health outcomes
  • study the biomechanics and motor control of human movement
  • study factors that affect people’s commitment to fitness and rehab programs.

Clinical kinesiologists may:

  • assess body structures for problems (including muscular changes, cranial sutures, and spine and hip joints)
  • look for neurological and digestive causes of problems
  • identify the root causes of problems (to fix the problem and relieve symptoms)
  • use hands-on treatments to restore and reset the body.

Kinesiologists often work closely with other health and sport professionals.

Working Conditions
Updated Mar 31, 2018
  • Strength Required Lift over 20 kg

Kinesiologists may work outdoors or indoors. They can work in:

  • offices
  • labs
  • recreation centres
  • hospitals
  • schools
  • residential facilities.

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.

 

Traits & Skills
Updated Mar 31, 2018

Kinesiologists need to possess:

  • self-confidence
  • leadership skills
  • the ability to think critically
  • listening, speaking and writing skills
  • patience, tolerance and flexibility
  • an interest in keeping up with technology
  • teamwork skills
  • creativity and adaptability
  • an interest in scientific research.

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.

Top 10 Skills Employers Are Looking For

Other professional occupations in therapy and assessment

2016 NOC: 3144

This chart shows which job skills are currently in highest demand for this occupational group. It was created using this occupation's 53 most recent Alberta job postings, collected between Nov 03, 2021 and Sep 21, 2023.

Review these skills to learn:

  • Whether or not this occupation matches your skill set
  • What training you may need to get these skills
  • What skills to highlight in your resumé, cover letter, and interview.
Health benefits: Health care plan
Health benefits: Dental plan
Long term benefits: Other benefits
Long term benefits: Registered retirement savings plan (RRSP)
Long term benefits: Life insurance
Interview patients and review reports from health care professionals to determine patients' current and potential functioning levels
Record observations, write progress reports and consult with other health care professionals to evaluate treatment plans
Design specialized therapy programs to maintain, rehabilitate or enhance movement, musculoskeletal functioning and performance in sports, work and recreation
Initiate, design and implement specialized therapy programs
Attention to detail
Educational Requirements
Updated Mar 31, 2018
  • Minimum Education 4 years post-secondary

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).


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.

Certification Requirements
Updated Mar 31, 2018
  • Certification Not Regulated

However, the following voluntary certifications are available from the Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology (CSEP):

  • Certified Personal Trainer (CPT)
  • Certified Exercise Physiologist (CEP).

To learn more about scope of practice and certification requirements, visit the CSEP website.

Employment & Advancement
Updated Mar 31, 2018

Kinesiologists work for:

  • government programs that serve people with special needs
  • companies that make athletic equipment
  • elementary and secondary schools
  • rehab and occupational health departments
  • sports and fitness centres
  • professional and amateur sport organizations
  • hospitals and health care centres
  • post-secondary schools
  • sport-governing bodies.

Some self-employed kinesiologists work on a contract basis for more than one employer.

Industry Concentration

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

Employment outlook is influenced by a wide variety of factors including:

  • Time of year (for seasonal jobs)
  • Location in Alberta
  • Employment turnover (when people leave existing positions)
  • Occupational growth (when new positions are created)
  • Size of the occupation
  • Trends and events that affect overall employment, especially in the industry or industries from the previous list

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.

Wage & Salary
Updated Mar 31, 2018

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.

Other professional occupations in therapy and assessment

2016 NOC: 3144
Average Wage
$37.38
Per Hour
Average Salary
$64,143.00
Per Year
Average Hours
33.9
Per Week
Average Months on Payroll
12
Survey Methodology Survey Analysis

Source
2021 Alberta Wage and Salary Survey

NOC 3144 Wage Profile

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.

A: High Reliability
Data Reliability Code Definition

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.


Hourly Wage

For full-time and part-time employees
  • Low
  • High
  • Average
  • Median
Starting
Overall
Top

Hourly Wage

For full-time and part-time employees
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

  • Starting pay: average pay offered for entry-level positions
  • Overall pay: average pay across all employees in this occupation
  • Top pay: average pay offered to top-paid employees

Industry Information

ALL INDUSTRIES
Health Care & Social Assistance
Public Administration

Skills Shortage

Employers that Recruited in the Last 2 Years
60%
60%)
Recruiting Employers that Experienced Hiring Difficulties
0%
0%
Employers with Unfilled Vacancies of over 4 Months
23%
23%
Vacancy Rate
N/A
Related Post-Secondary Field of Study
  • Physical Education and Recreation
  • Sciences
Other Sources of Information
Updated Mar 31, 2018

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.

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