Prevailing Wage for Exercise Physiologists
Prevailing wage for Exercise Physiologists is set by DOL at four experience levels, and the floor shifts significantly depending on where the worksite is located. Whether your offer is for a Clinical Exercise Physiologist, a Certified Exercise Physiologist (CEP), or a Clinical Exercise Specialist role, the DOL level attached to the LCA determines the minimum your employer must pay.
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Entry-level candidates with limited professional experience and a bachelor's degree in exercise science or a related field. Typically performing supervised assessments under established protocols with minimal independent judgment. DOL classifies these as roles with primary-duty responsibilities and structured oversight.
The most common filing level for Exercise Physiologists. Applies to candidates with a few years of clinical or fitness programming experience who apply professional judgment independently. Employers regularly file at Level 2 for roles in hospital wellness programs, rehabilitation clinics, and corporate health settings.
Experienced professionals who design and lead exercise programming across complex patient populations, often holding advanced certifications such as ACSM-CEP. These candidates exercise significant independent judgment and may guide junior staff or coordinate multidisciplinary care teams.
Senior-level Exercise Physiologists with full professional autonomy, often directing department-wide programs or clinical research initiatives. These roles involve setting protocols, leading teams, and contributing to organizational strategy. Typical in academic medical centers or large health systems.
Prevailing Wage for Exercise Physiologists by OES area
Each shape is a DOL OES area, the unit prevailing wage is published for.
What’s an OES area?
The Department of Labor publishes prevailing wages for geographic zones called OES areas. Every U.S. county belongs to exactly one, and the wage floor applies across the whole area. A worker in Oakland gets the San Francisco metro wage, not a separate Oakland wage.
Top 10 cities · Level 1
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See which U.S. employers are actively hiring for Exercise Physiologists and sponsoring H-1B, OPT, and green card visas at or above the prevailing wage.
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Watch for clinical versus wellness title mismatches
Employers sometimes post Clinical Exercise Physiologist roles but file LCAs under a general wellness SOC, bypassing this occupation's wage floor entirely. Confirm your offer letter title matches the SOC 29-1128 classification on the certified LCA before signing.
Account for metropolitan wage variance before negotiating
The prevailing wage gap between top-paying metros like Seattle and San Francisco versus lower-wage markets like Salt Lake City is substantial across all four levels. If you are relocating for the role, run the worksite city before accepting any offer.
Exclude signing bonuses from your wage compliance check
DOL requires the employer to pay at least the prevailing wage as regular base pay. One-time signing bonuses, performance bonuses, and wellness incentive payments do not count toward satisfying the LCA wage obligation for Exercise Physiologists.
Find employers who have sponsored Exercise Physiologists before
Migrate Mate shows which employers have a verified history of sponsoring Exercise Physiologist roles, so you can target companies with real H-1B or E-3 filing activity in this occupation rather than employers who may be sponsoring for the first time.
Jobs for Exercise Physiologists are hiring across the US. Find yours.
Find Jobs for Exercise PhysiologistsPrevailing Wage by Reported Job Title
DOL classifies these titles under SOC 29-1128.00 alongside Exercise Physiologists, so the same four-tier wage schedule applies to each. Tap a title to see the full breakdown.
Bariatric Weight Loss Counselor Prevailing Wage
Bariatric Weight Loss Counselor Prevailing Wage
Bariatric Weight Loss Counselor positions fall under SOC 29-1128.00 (Exercise Physiologists). DOL OFLC publishes one four-tier prevailing wage schedule for the entire classification; employers filing H-1B, E-3, or PERM petitions for this title use the levels below.
Certified Exercise Physiologist (EPC) Prevailing Wage
Certified Exercise Physiologist (EPC) Prevailing Wage
When a U.S. employer sponsors a Certified Exercise Physiologist (EPC) for a work visa or green card, DOL applies the prevailing wage schedule for SOC 29-1128.00 (Exercise Physiologists). Wage level reflects the role's experience and responsibility, not the title itself.
Clinical Exercise Physiologist Prevailing Wage
Clinical Exercise Physiologist Prevailing Wage
Clinical Exercise Physiologist is an O*NET-reported job title within SOC 29-1128.00 (Exercise Physiologists). All roles in this SOC share the same prevailing wage tiers. The level an employer files at depends on what the role requires, not which title is used.
Clinical Exercise Specialist Prevailing Wage
Clinical Exercise Specialist Prevailing Wage
Clinical Exercise Specialist positions fall under SOC 29-1128.00 (Exercise Physiologists). DOL OFLC publishes one four-tier prevailing wage schedule for the entire classification; employers filing H-1B, E-3, or PERM petitions for this title use the levels below.
Exercise Scientist Prevailing Wage
Exercise Scientist Prevailing Wage
When a U.S. employer sponsors a Exercise Scientist for a work visa or green card, DOL applies the prevailing wage schedule for SOC 29-1128.00 (Exercise Physiologists). Wage level reflects the role's experience and responsibility, not the title itself.
Exercise Specialist Prevailing Wage
Exercise Specialist Prevailing Wage
Exercise Specialist is an O*NET-reported job title within SOC 29-1128.00 (Exercise Physiologists). All roles in this SOC share the same prevailing wage tiers. The level an employer files at depends on what the role requires, not which title is used.
Lifestyle and Weight Management Consultant Prevailing Wage
Lifestyle and Weight Management Consultant Prevailing Wage
Lifestyle and Weight Management Consultant positions fall under SOC 29-1128.00 (Exercise Physiologists). DOL OFLC publishes one four-tier prevailing wage schedule for the entire classification; employers filing H-1B, E-3, or PERM petitions for this title use the levels below.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does DOL set the prevailing wage for Exercise Physiologists?
DOL calculates prevailing wages using Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics data collected by the Bureau of Labor Statistics through regional employer surveys. For SOC 29-1128, OFLC applies those survey results to produce four wage levels for each metropolitan area. Employers filing an LCA for a sponsored Exercise Physiologist must offer at least the level that matches the role's duties and the candidate's experience.
What do the four wage levels mean and how do I identify mine?
Level 1 is entry-level with primary duties and close supervision. Level 2 reflects qualified professional experience with independent judgment, and is the most common filing level for this occupation. Level 3 applies to experienced practitioners who guide others or handle complex populations. Level 4 covers fully autonomous senior roles. Your level should match the actual job duties in the LCA, not just your years of experience or your preferred title.
Why does the prevailing wage for the same role vary so much by city?
OFLC bases wages on regional OES survey data, which captures actual pay rates in each labor market. A Clinical Exercise Specialist in San Francisco operates in a market where employer competition and cost of living drive wages significantly higher than in Tulsa or Salt Lake City. The LCA must list the actual worksite location, so the wage floor is set by where the work is performed, not where the employer is headquartered.
What happens if an employer's offer is below the prevailing wage for a sponsored position?
An LCA cannot be certified by DOL if the offered wage is below the applicable prevailing wage level. If USCIS later audits the filing and finds the wage was misclassified or understated, the employer faces back-pay liability and potential debarment from future sponsorship. For the candidate, a denial or revocation puts the visa petition at risk. Wage compliance is a legal requirement, not a negotiating point.
How do I find and verify the prevailing wage for a specific U.S. location?
Use the OFLC Wage Search to look up SOC 29-1128 for any metropolitan area where the job would be performed. Select the correct wage level based on the job duties as described in the LCA. You can also review the O*NET profile for Exercise Physiologists to understand how DOL defines the occupation's scope. Migrate Mate lists jobs from employers with documented sponsorship history for this role, giving you a starting point for salary benchmarking.
See which employers are hiring and sponsoring visas for Exercise Physiologists right now.
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