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:
| Starting | $24.81 |
|---|---|
| Overall | $29.38 |
| Top | $39.28 |
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
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 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.
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.
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.
For a broad list of programs and courses that may be related to this occupation try searching using keywords.
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.
Kinesiologists work for:
Some self-employed kinesiologists work on a contract basis for more than one employer.
Kinesiologists are part of the larger 2011 National Occupational Classification 4167: Recreation, sports and fitness program supervisors and consultants. In Alberta, 83% of people employed in this classification work in the following industries:
The employment outlook [pdf] in this occupation will be influenced by a wide variety of factors including:
In Alberta, the E036: Recreation, Sports and Fitness Program Supervisors and Consultants occupational group is expected to have an above-average annual growth of 1.9% from 2016 to 2020. In addition to job openings created by employment turnover, 40 new positions are forecasted to be created within this occupational group each year.
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.
| Wages* | Low (5th percentile) | High (95th percentile) | Average | Median |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting | $19.84 | $38.05 | $24.81 | $20.67 |
| Overall | $20.50 | $44.45 | $29.38 | $25.64 |
| Top | $21.50 | $53.65 | $39.28 | $41.03 |
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* 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.
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.
| Public Administration | $72,680 |
|---|---|
| Educational Services | $53,805 |
| ALL INDUSTRIES | $49,234 |
| Health Care & Social Assistance | $48,725 |
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
For more information on career planning, education and jobs call the Alberta Supports Contact Centre toll-free at 1-877-644-9992 or 780-644-9992 in Edmonton, or visit an Alberta Supports Centre near you.
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.