# Exercise Physiologists

US SOC code 29-1128. Markdown version of https://futurehistory.earth/timeline/29-1128

Also called: Clinical exercise physiologist, CEP, ACSM-CEP, Cardiac rehab exercise physiologist, Cardiac rehabilitation specialist.

## In brief

In May 2025, [BLS](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm25nat.zip) counted **8,560** US exercise physiologists, with median pay of **$59,460** a year. Of the BLS counts since 2013, the May 2025 count is the highest. The earliest figure here is [an estimate](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harvard_Fatigue_Laboratory) of **20** from 1927, not measured the same way as today's count. The last full technology era for exercise physiologists: Wearable cardiac monitors and consumer-grade biosensors, 2015 to 2023.

## What the sources say

### Official outlook

BLS projects employment to grow 12.8% from 2025 to 2035. Source: [BLS Employment Projections 2025-35](https://data.bls.gov/projections/nationalMatrix?queryParams=29-1128&ioType=o).

### AI exposure studies

- **34%** of this job's tasks are exposed to large language models. Not a forecast of job losses. [Eloundou and others, 2023](https://github.com/openai/GPTs-are-GPTs/blob/main/data/occ_level.csv)

Data as of BLS OEWS May 2025; BLS Employment Projections 2025-35. BLS publishes these counts as yearly survey snapshots and cautions against reading them as a precise trend. In May 2021 BLS changed how it estimates these counts (a model-based method using three years of survey data) and moved fully to the 2018 occupation codes, so part of a change across 2021 can come from the method rather than the work.

## Exercise Physiologists employment and pay by year

- On record since: 1927
- Latest US employment: 8,560 (May 2025). Source: BLS OEWS May 2025 [5]
- Latest US median pay: $59,460 (May 2025). Source: BLS OEWS May 2025 [8]
- Outlook: +12.8% by 2035. Source: BLS Employment Projections 2025-35 [23]

### All 20 years of cited US data

| Year | US employment | Annual pay (median unless marked) | Source |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1927 | 20 (estimate) | n/a | Est., Harvard Fatigue Laboratory [1] |
| 1960 | 500 (estimate) | n/a | Est., American College of Sports Medicine [2] |
| 1982 | 3,000 (estimate) | $22,000 (estimate) | Est., Historical Context of Cardiac… [3] |
| 2000 | 8,000 (estimate) | n/a | Est., American College of Sports Medicine [4] |
| 2010 | 16,170 | $47,950 | BLS OEWS May 2010 [5] |
| 2011 | 15,720 | $49,120 | BLS OEWS May 2011 [5] |
| 2012 | 5,820 | $44,770 | BLS OEWS May 2012 [6] |
| 2013 | 6,010 | $46,020 | BLS OEWS May 2013 [5] |
| 2014 | 6,660 | $46,270 | BLS OEWS May 2014 [5] |
| 2015 | 6,620 | $47,010 | BLS OEWS May 2015 [5] |
| 2016 | 6,880 | $47,340 | BLS OEWS May 2016 [5] |
| 2017 | 6,300 | $49,090 | BLS OEWS May 2017 [5] |
| 2018 | 6,740 | $49,270 | BLS OEWS May 2018 [5] |
| 2019 | 7,280 | $49,170 | BLS OEWS May 2019 [5] |
| 2020 | 7,330 | $50,280 | BLS OEWS May 2020 [5] |
| 2021 | 6,860 | $47,940 | BLS OEWS May 2021 [5] |
| 2022 | 6,580 | $51,350 | BLS OEWS May 2022 [5] |
| 2023 | 8,060 | $54,860 | BLS OEWS May 2023 [5] |
| 2024 | 8,110 | $58,160 | BLS OEWS May 2024 (employment) [5]; BLS OEWS May 2024 (pay) [10] |
| 2025 | 8,560 | $59,460 | BLS OEWS May 2025 [5] |

## Sources (69)

### Employment series

1. [Harvard Fatigue Laboratory — Wikipedia (founding 1927, director D.B. Dill; laboratory operated 1927-1947)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harvard_Fatigue_Laboratory), Wikipedia
2. [American College of Sports Medicine — Wikipedia (founded 1954, founding membership, early growth)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_College_of_Sports_Medicine), Wikipedia
3. [Historical Context of Cardiac Rehabilitation: Learning From the Past to Move to the Future (PMC9091441) -- 1982 Medicare coverage of CR; 1970s program development](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9091441/), Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine / PMC
4. [ACSM Clinical Exercise Physiologist certification page -- credential history and clinical exercise physiology profession overview](https://acsm.org/certification/get-certified/clinical-exercise-physiologist/), American College of Sports Medicine
5. BLS OEWS, national cross-industry estimates (flat file), Bureau of Labor Statistics. Editions: [2010](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm10nat.zip), [2011](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm11nat.zip), [2013](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm13nat.zip), [2014](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm14nat.zip), [2015](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm15nat.zip), [2016](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm16nat.zip), [2017](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm17nat.zip), [2018](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm18nat.zip), [2019](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm19nat.zip), [2020](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm20nat.zip), [2021](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm21nat.zip), [2022](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm22nat.zip), [2023](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm23nat.zip), [2024](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm24nat.zip), [2025](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm25nat.zip)
6. [BLS OEWS May 2012 National News Release (USDL-13-0543, released March 29, 2013) -- first OEWS count for Exercise Physiologists 29-1128: 5,820 workers, mean wage $47,610](https://www.bls.gov/news.release/archives/ocwage_03292013.pdf), Bureau of Labor Statistics

### Wage series

7. [Historical Context of Cardiac Rehabilitation (PMC9091441) -- 1982 Medicare coverage of cardiac rehabilitation; clinical exercise physiology staffing of outpatient CR programs](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9091441/), Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine / PMC
8. BLS OEWS, national cross-industry estimates (flat file), Bureau of Labor Statistics. Editions: [2010](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm10nat.zip), [2011](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm11nat.zip), [2013](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm13nat.zip), [2014](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm14nat.zip), [2015](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm15nat.zip), [2016](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm16nat.zip), [2017](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm17nat.zip), [2018](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm18nat.zip), [2019](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm19nat.zip), [2020](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm20nat.zip), [2021](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm21nat.zip), [2022](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm22nat.zip), [2023](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm23nat.zip), [2025](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm25nat.zip)
9. [BLS OEWS May 2012 National News Release (USDL-13-0543) -- Exercise Physiologists 29-1128: annual mean wage $47,610; median hourly wage $21.53](https://www.bls.gov/news.release/archives/ocwage_03292013.pdf), Bureau of Labor Statistics
10. [O\*NET 29-1128.00 / BLS OOH -- Exercise Physiologists: median annual wage $58,160 (May 2024)](https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/exercise-physiologists.htm), Bureau of Labor Statistics / O\*NET

### Tool eras

11. [Harvard Fatigue Laboratory -- Wikipedia (equipment, methodology, and research program 1927-1947)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harvard_Fatigue_Laboratory), Wikipedia
12. [Human Kinetics -- "Harvard Fatigue Laboratory influential in promoting exercise physiology research" (excerpt, methods and instrumentation)](https://us.humankinetics.com/blogs/excerpt/harvard-fatigue-laboratory-influential-in-promoting-exercise-physiology-research), Human Kinetics
13. [Historical Context of Cardiac Rehabilitation: Learning From the Past to Move to the Future (PMC9091441) -- 1960s-1970s development of structured ECG-monitored exercise programs; exercise testing as foundation of clinical CR](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9091441/), Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine / PMC
14. [Cardiac Rehabilitation Past, Present and Future: An Overview (PMC3839175) -- history of CR and exercise testing protocols from 1960s](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3839175/), PMC / Cardiovascular Diagnosis and Therapy
15. [COSMED Quark CPET + OMNIA -- gold-standard CPET platform overview; automated breath-by-breath metabolic measurement and workflow-driven reporting for clinical exercise physiology](https://www.cosmed.com/en/products/cardio-pulmonary-exercise-test/quark-cpet), COSMED
16. [PubMed 2025 (PMID 39872828) -- CPET methodology, interpretation, and role in exercise prescription for cardiac rehabilitation](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39872828/), PubMed / NIH
17. [O\*NET 30.3 -- Exercise Physiologists (29-1128.00): technology skills include MEDITECH and Microsoft Excel (both In-Demand); documentation and EHR proficiency as core work activity](https://www.onetonline.org/link/summary/29-1128.00), O\*NET / BLS
18. [PMC 2025 (PMC12439441) -- wearable AI-driven remote monitoring in cardiovascular medicine: continuous monitoring detects asymptomatic conditions; patients with digital monitoring show higher adherence, better functional gains, reduced readmissions](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12439441/), PMC / NIH
19. [ACSM Virtual Cardiac Rehabilitation -- ACSM-CEPs in virtual CR use wearable monitoring for real-time or weekly review; minimum qualifications include ACSM-CEP certification and 2+ years clinical experience](https://acsm.org/virtual-cardiac-rehabilitation-cepa/), American College of Sports Medicine
20. [PMC 2025 (PMC12976410) -- AI in remote cardiac rehabilitation: Apple Watch CNN 97.5% AF episode sensitivity; ML predicts CR adherence 80% accuracy; CNN 90% accuracy exercise repetition counting; home-based AI-monitored CR equal or superior in safety to center-based](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12976410/), PMC / NIH
21. [Carda Health -- first national virtual-only integrated cardiopulmonary rehab provider; ACSM-CEP-staffed; AI-driven patient engagement; real-time vital monitoring via wearables during video sessions](https://www.cardahealth.com/), Carda Health
22. [PMC 2021 (PMC8188599) -- ML for CPET interpretation: SVM achieves 99% sensitivity classifying CHF vs. COPD vs. healthy; 78% of manually interpreted CPETs contain guideline inconsistencies; ML reduces subjectivity](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8188599/), PMC / NIH

### Forecasts and exposure studies

23. [BLS Employment Projections 2025-35, National Employment Matrix: 29-1128 Exercise physiologists (2025: 21.2 thousand; 2035: 23.9 thousand; +12.8%)](https://data.bls.gov/projections/nationalMatrix?queryParams=29-1128&ioType=o), Bureau of Labor Statistics
24. [Eloundou, Manning, Mishkin & Rock (2023), "GPTs are GPTs", occupation-level exposure data occ\_level.csv (O\*NET-SOC 29-1128.00, human-rated β 0.34)](https://github.com/openai/GPTs-are-GPTs/blob/main/data/occ_level.csv), OpenAI

### Historical notes

25. [Harvard Fatigue Laboratory -- Wikipedia (founding 1927, D.B. Dill, research program, closure 1947)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harvard_Fatigue_Laboratory), Wikipedia
26. [American College of Sports Medicine -- Wikipedia (founding April 22, 1954; 11 founding members; mission statement)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_College_of_Sports_Medicine), Wikipedia
27. [Historical Context of Cardiac Rehabilitation (PMC9091441) -- Medicare coverage of CR 1982; evolution from research pilot to mainstream clinical service; 1970s-1980s expansion of structured outpatient CR programs](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9091441/), Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine / PMC
28. [Implementing the 2010 SOC in the Occupational Employment Statistics (BLS Monthly Labor Review, 2013) -- 29-1128 as new occupation code in 2010 SOC revision](https://www.bls.gov/opub/mlr/2013/article/implementing-the-2010-standard-occupational-classification-in-the-occupational-employment-statistics-program.htm), Bureau of Labor Statistics
29. [Carda Health -- founded 2020; first national virtual-only integrated cardiopulmonary rehab provider; ACSM-CEP-staffed; telehealth CR with real-time wearable monitoring](https://www.cardahealth.com/), Carda Health

### Predecessors & successors

30. [BLS OOH -- Exercise Physiologists: education typically bachelor's in exercise science or related field; 32% hold master's degree; Job Zone Four (Considerable Preparation)](https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/exercise-physiologists.htm), Bureau of Labor Statistics
31. [O\*NET 29-1128.00 -- Exercise Physiologists: distinguished from fitness trainers by clinical setting, medical population, and ACSM-CEP or equivalent credential](https://www.onetonline.org/link/summary/29-1128.00), O\*NET / BLS
32. [BLS OOH -- Physical Therapists: median annual wage $99,710 (2024); +15% projected growth 2024-2034; cardiopulmonary PT specialty overlaps directly with CEP role](https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/physical-therapists.htm), Bureau of Labor Statistics

### Present-day analysis

- [O\*NET 30.3 — Exercise Physiologists (29-1128.00): tasks, work activities, technology skills, education, employment data](https://www.onetonline.org/link/summary/29-1128.00), accessed 2026-05-24
- [BLS OOH — Exercise Physiologists: 23,900 employed 2024; +9% growth 2024-2034; $58,160 median wage; ~1,700 annual openings](https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/exercise-physiologists.htm), accessed 2026-05-24
- [ACSM — Virtual Cardiac Rehabilitation and CEP roles: ACSM-CEP credential requirements, virtual care delivery model, wearable monitoring, VVOC toolkit development](https://acsm.org/virtual-cardiac-rehabilitation-cepa/), accessed 2026-05-24
- [Carda Health — virtual cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation; ACSM-CEP-staffed; hiring CEPs for clinical studies with health systems (2025); first national virtual-only integrated cardiopulmonary rehab provider](https://www.cardahealth.com/), accessed 2026-05-24
- [PMC 2025 (PMC12976410) — AI in remote cardiac rehabilitation: Apple Watch CNN 97.5% AF episode sensitivity; ML predicts CR adherence 80% accuracy; CNN 90% accuracy exercise repetition counting; home-based AI-monitored CR equal or superior to center-based](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12976410/), accessed 2026-05-24
- [PMC 2021 (PMC8188599) — ML for CPET interpretation: SVM achieves 99% sensitivity/specificity classifying CHF vs. COPD vs. healthy; 78% of manually interpreted CPETs contain guideline inconsistencies; ML reduces subjectivity](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8188599/), accessed 2026-05-24
- [COSMED Quark CPET + OMNIA software — gold-standard CPET platform with workflow-driven interface, real-time quality indicators, trend analysis, and reference values for longitudinal tracking in cardiac and pulmonary rehab labs](https://www.cosmed.com/en/products/cardio-pulmonary-exercise-test/quark-cpet), accessed 2026-05-24
- [PMC 2025 (PMC12439441) — Wearable devices and AI-driven remote monitoring in cardiovascular medicine: AI wearables detect asymptomatic cardiac conditions early; patients using digital tools show higher adherence, better functional gains, reduced readmissions](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12439441/), accessed 2026-05-24
- [Eloundou et al. 2024 — GPTs are GPTs (Science): occupational LLM exposure framework; seed CRI basis](https://arxiv.org/abs/2303.10130), accessed 2026-05-24
- [PubMed 2025 (PMID 39872828) — CPET methodology, interpretation, and role in exercise prescription for cardiac rehabilitation: CPET is the gold standard for functional capacity assessment and intensity prescription in cardiac rehab](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39872828/), accessed 2026-05-24

How to read these figures: https://futurehistory.earth/methodology. Every figure links to its own source; gaps stay gaps.