2025 National Salary Survey of Clinical Exercise Physiologists

Background The purpose of the Clinical Exercise Physiology Association (CEPA) National Salary Survey was to raise awareness of clinical exercise physiologists’ (CEPs’) compensation and to advocate and inform health care administrators and decision-makers to enhance their understanding of the profession and promote pay equity among CEPs. The aims of the 2025 survey were to identify contemporary demographic, educational, and workplace-related factors associated with trends in pay for the CEP. Methods The survey was disseminated through direct e-mail to CEPA members, the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) Certified News, the ACSM Bulletin, and an e-mail to members of the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation. Descriptive statistics, adjusted regression analysis, and geographic analyses of annualized wage were implemented. Results A total of 761 actively employed, self-identified CEPs responded to the survey, with 646 working full-time. Among those with a bachelor’s or master’s degree, unadjusted annualized wage was significantly different by academic degree, ACSM-CEP credential, direct reports, years of experience, and ACSM region. Adjusted annualized wage was significantly higher among men (+$1,726·y −1 ), those with a master’s degree (+$4,708·y −1 ), and those with direct reports (+$7,224·y −1 ). There was also a significant variation in adjusted annualized wage by years of experience and between ACSM regions. Conclusion Annualized wage was highest among those reporting a master’s degree, holding the ACSM-CEP credential, and being in a position of leadership with direct reports. Those working as or in charge of hiring CEPs should use these data to benchmark compensation of CEPs.