The following page shows the career & education requirements, salary and job outlook for Physiology around the country.
What We Do
Physiology, or exercise physiology, is the science of developing exercise and fitness programs for people who have suffered chronic diseases, or for those with flexibility, body composition, or cardiovascular issues. A physiologist will assess a patient to determine the best physical fitness regimen for their needs, for which they also perform stress tests, and measure different key health indicators. The goal is to create an exercise program that improves overall health, which must be monitored for safety. They often work with people who have lung or heart disease. A large part of their job is to provide education to the general public, so that they can meet various health and fitness goals. A physiologist is not a fitness trainer, a personal trainer, nor an athletic trainer, however.
Work Environment
In 2014, there were some 14,500 physiologists in the country. Nearly 50% of those were self-employed, working from their own clinics. The other half often worked in health practitioners’ offices or in hospitals. Most of them worked full time.
How to Become a Physiology
To become a physiologist, you will need to complete a bachelor’s degree, although most of these professional now hold a master’s degree. During these programs, you will learn about anatomy, biology, nutrition, kinesiology, and clinical work. The Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) had accredited around 50 different relevant programs across the country in 2015.
Training & Certification Requirements
Only in Louisiana are physiologists have to be licensed. That said, many of the other states are currently trying to pass legislation to formalize the profession and have licensure requirements in place. Holding a license, even when not legally required, also demonstrates that you are committed to excellence in your profession. The EPC (Exercise Physiologist Certified) is the most respected certification, which is offered by the American Society of Exercise Physiologist. To be able to take the EPC examination, you must have completed a relevant bachelor’s degree. The license is valid for five years and must be maintained through continuous education or by retaking the examination. Another possible certification is the CEP (Certified Clinical Exercise Physiologist), which is offered by the American College of Sports Medicine. They also offer the RCEP (Registered Clinical Exercise Physiologist). To be able to take the exam for either credential, candidates must demonstrated that they have completed between 400 and 600 hours of supervised work first.
Physiology Related Job Titles
According to Indeed.com, the following career/job titles with salary figures are most closely related to Physiology.
Career/Job Title | Average Salary |
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Surgical Coder | $43,000 |
RN Inpatient Electrophysiology Lab | $55,000 |
Occupational Therapist On Call | $93,000 |
Physiology Tutoring Teaching | $55,000 |
Physiology Tutor Teacher | $55,000 |
Certified Group Fitness Instructor | $49,000 |
Associate Clinical Research Coordinator | $29,000 |
Mlt | $42,000 |
Registered Therapist | $66,000 |
Cardiac Sonographer | $68,000 |
Physiology Earning Potential
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics has reported median earnings of $47,010 per year for physiologists.
Physiology Job Outlook
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, there will be an 11% growth in demand for physiologists from 2014 to 2024, which is faster than the national average.
According to Indeed.com, the average national salary of jobs for Physiology was $50,000.00 with a high confidence ranking based on over 250 sources. Average Physiology salaries for job postings nationwide are 12% lower than average salaries for all job postings nationwide.
Physiology Salary by State
The following lists Physiology salaries in each state around the country. The figures are based on the total number of job postings by employers through Indeed.com. For example, DC had the largest quoted salary of $63,000 while Hawaii had the smallest quoted salary of $31,000.
Alaska – $37,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 48th | ||||||||||
Average Physiology salaries for job postings in Alaska are 26% lower than average Physiology salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 48th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium, Mindleaf Technologies Inc., Sterling Medical Corporation, and Providence Health & Services. |
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Alabama – $51,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 13th | ||||||||||
Average Physiology salaries for job postings in Alabama are 1% higher than average Physiology salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 13th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Baptist Health Centers – Clinics, Baptist Healthcare of Alabama, UAB, and The Princeton Review. |
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Arkansas – $52,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 10th | ||||||||||
Average Physiology salaries for job postings in Arkansas are 2% higher than average Physiology salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 10th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Mercy, North Arkansas Regional Medical Center, ST BERNARDS MEDICAL CENTER, and Anesthesiazone.com. |
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Arizona – $41,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 44th | ||||||||||
Average Physiology salaries for job postings in Arizona are 18% lower than average Physiology salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 44th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like IASIS Healthcare – Mountain Vista Medical Center, Mountain Vista Medical Ctr, LP, EOS Fitness, and OrthoArizona. |
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California – $54,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 8th | ||||||||||
Average Physiology salaries for job postings in California are 7% higher than average Physiology salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 8th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like TherapyTravelers, Satellite Healthcare, Unlisted Company, and UCLA Health. |
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Colorado – $45,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 32nd | ||||||||||
Average Physiology salaries for job postings in Colorado are 11% lower than average Physiology salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 32nd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like National Jewish Health, YMCA of The Pikes Peak Region, Somalogic, Inc., and VillaSport Athletic Club and Spa. |
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Connecticut – $58,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 4th | ||||||||||
Average Physiology salaries for job postings in Connecticut are 15% higher than average Physiology salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 4th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like ECMPF, Stamford Hospital, Boutique Fitness Experience, and Saint Francis Care. |
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DC – $63,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 1st | ||||||||||
Average Physiology salaries for job postings in Washington, DC are 25% higher than average Physiology salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 1st among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Medstar Georgetown University Hospital, The Princeton Review, Unlisted Company, and Kaiser Permanente. |
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Delaware – $44,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 38th | ||||||||||
Average Physiology salaries for job postings in Delaware are 12% lower than average Physiology salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 38th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like University of Delaware, Delaware Technical Community College, The University of Delaware, and Nemours. |
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Florida – $47,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 27th | ||||||||||
Average Physiology salaries for job postings in Florida are 7% lower than average Physiology salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 27th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Florida Hospital, ReqRoute,Inc, The Princeton Review, and Indian River Medical Center. |
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Georgia – $58,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 5th | ||||||||||
Average Physiology salaries for job postings in Georgia are 14% higher than average Physiology salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 5th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like WellStar Atlanta Medical Ctr, Gwinnett Medical Center, University Health Care System, and Children's Healthcare of Atlanta. |
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Hawaii – $31,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 51st | ||||||||||
Average Physiology salaries for job postings in Hawaii are 38% lower than average Physiology salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 51st among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like The Queen's Medical Center, State of Hawaii, Kaiser Permanente, and The Research Corporation of the University of Hawaii. |
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Iowa – $50,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 16th | ||||||||||
Average Physiology salaries for job postings in Iowa are 2% lower than average Physiology salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 16th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Catholic Health Initiatives, The University of Iowa, DuPont, and Mercy Cedar Rapids. |
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Idaho – $33,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 50th | ||||||||||
Average Physiology salaries for job postings in Idaho are 34% lower than average Physiology salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 50th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like St. Luke's Health System, Trinity Health, Idaho State University, and Idaho Division of Human Resources. |
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Illinois – $57,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 6th | ||||||||||
Average Physiology salaries for job postings in Illinois are 13% higher than average Physiology salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 6th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like MacNeal Hospital, SwedishAmerican Health System, Memorial Health System, and University of Illinois Hospital & Health Sciences System. |
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Indiana – $49,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 20th | ||||||||||
Average Physiology salaries for job postings in Indiana are 4% lower than average Physiology salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 20th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like St. Elizabeth Regional Health, Community Health Network, The Princeton Review, and Indiana University Health. |
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Kansas – $46,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 30th | ||||||||||
Average Physiology salaries for job postings in Kansas are 9% lower than average Physiology salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 30th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Hutchinson Regional Healthcare System, The University of Kansas Hospital, Kansas State University, and Neosho Memorial Regional Medical Center. |
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Kentucky – $44,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 39th | ||||||||||
Average Physiology salaries for job postings in Kentucky are 14% lower than average Physiology salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 39th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like University of Kentucky, Moran Environmental Recovery, LLC, PREMISE HEALTH, and Anesthesiazone.com. |
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Louisiana – $45,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 33rd | ||||||||||
Average Physiology salaries for job postings in Louisiana are 11% lower than average Physiology salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 33rd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Christus Health, Unlisted Company, Louisiana State University, and The Princeton Review. |
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Massachusetts – $61,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 2nd | ||||||||||
Average Physiology salaries for job postings in Massachusetts are 20% higher than average Physiology salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 2nd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like North Shore Medical Center(NSMC), Ophthalmic Consultants of Boston, Inc., Steward Health Care, and MetroWest Framingham Union Hospital. |
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Maryland – $52,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 11th | ||||||||||
Average Physiology salaries for job postings in Maryland are 3% higher than average Physiology salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 11th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like University of Maryland Medical Center, Elkton, MD Manufacturing plant, Wyle Laboratories, and MedStar Health Central Recruitment. |
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Maine – $45,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 34th | ||||||||||
Average Physiology salaries for job postings in Maine are 12% lower than average Physiology salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 34th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like St. Joseph Hospital, Mercy Hospital, Moran Environmental Recovery, LLC, and University of New England. |
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Michigan – $51,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 14th | ||||||||||
Average Physiology salaries for job postings in Michigan are 1% higher than average Physiology salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 14th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like University of Michigan Health System, Baker College Professional Services, Inc., McLaren Northern Michigan, and Covenant HealthCare. |
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Minnesota – $44,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 40th | ||||||||||
Average Physiology salaries for job postings in Minnesota are 13% lower than average Physiology salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 40th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Regions Hospital, Medtronic, University of Minnesota Medical School, and CentraCare Health. |
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Missouri – $50,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 17th | ||||||||||
Average Physiology salaries for job postings in Missouri are 2% lower than average Physiology salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 17th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Cass Regional Medical Center, University of Missouri Health Center, Saint Louis University, and Gold's Gym. |
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Mississippi – $53,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 9th | ||||||||||
Average Physiology salaries for job postings in Mississippi are 5% higher than average Physiology salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 9th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Bolivar Medical Center, Memorial Hospital at Gulfport, MindLeaf Technologies Inc, and Sterling Medical Corporation. |
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Montana – $42,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 42nd | ||||||||||
Average Physiology salaries for job postings in Montana are 17% lower than average Physiology salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 42nd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Providence Health & Services, St. Peter's Hospital, Bozeman Deaconess Hospital, and Kalispell Regional Healthcare. |
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North Carolina – $48,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 24th | ||||||||||
Average Physiology salaries for job postings in North Carolina are 5% lower than average Physiology salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 24th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Gold's Gym, Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center, UNC-Chapel Hill, and East Carolina University. |
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North Dakota – $45,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 35th | ||||||||||
Average Physiology salaries for job postings in North Dakota are 11% lower than average Physiology salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 35th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Trinity Hospitals, Anytime Fitness, Family Wellness Fargo, and Iteris, Inc.. |
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Nebraska – $37,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 49th | ||||||||||
Average Physiology salaries for job postings in Nebraska are 27% lower than average Physiology salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 49th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Catholic Health Initiatives, The Nebraska Medical Center, Nebraska Medicine, and Omaha National. |
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New Hampshire – $50,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 18th | ||||||||||
Average Physiology salaries for job postings in New Hampshire are 1% lower than average Physiology salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 18th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Frisbie Memorial Hospital, Catholic Medical Center, Elliot Hospital, and PMC Medical Group. |
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New Jersey – $55,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 7th | ||||||||||
Average Physiology salaries for job postings in New Jersey are 8% higher than average Physiology salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 7th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Meridian Health, Unlisted Company, Summit Health Management, and Bancroft. |
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New Mexico – $44,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 41st | ||||||||||
Average Physiology salaries for job postings in New Mexico are 13% lower than average Physiology salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 41st among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Presbyterian Healthcare Services, Christus Health, New Mexico State University, and Lovelace Health System. |
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Nevada – $38,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 46th | ||||||||||
Average Physiology salaries for job postings in Nevada are 24% lower than average Physiology salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 46th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like EOS Fitness, Universal Health Services, Carson Tahoe Health, and Renown Regional Medical Center. |
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New York – $61,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 3rd | ||||||||||
Average Physiology salaries for job postings in New York State are 21% higher than average Physiology salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 3rd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Boutique Fitness Experience, The Princeton Review, University of Rochester, and Bassett Healthcare. |
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Ohio – $48,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 25th | ||||||||||
Average Physiology salaries for job postings in Ohio are 4% lower than average Physiology salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 25th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like The Princeton Review, Akron General Health System, University Hospitals, and Cincinnati Children's Hospital. |
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Oklahoma – $47,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 28th | ||||||||||
Average Physiology salaries for job postings in Oklahoma are 8% lower than average Physiology salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 28th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like American Fidelity Assurance, Saint Francis Health System, Venesco LLC, and Oklahoma State University. |
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Oregon – $49,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 21st | ||||||||||
Average Physiology salaries for job postings in Oregon are 3% lower than average Physiology salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 21st among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Kaiser Permanente, Legacy Health System, The Salvation Army SoCal, and Oregon State University. |
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Pennsylvania – $49,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 22nd | ||||||||||
Average Physiology salaries for job postings in Pennsylvania are 4% lower than average Physiology salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 22nd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Einstein Healthcare Network, Geisinger Health System, Lehigh Valley Health Network, and Student Academy of Knowledge. |
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Rhode Island – $46,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 31st | ||||||||||
Average Physiology salaries for job postings in Rhode Island are 9% lower than average Physiology salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 31st among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like CharterCARE Health Partners, Lifespan, Neighbors Emergency Center, and Orangetheory. |
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South Carolina – $50,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 19th | ||||||||||
Average Physiology salaries for job postings in South Carolina are 1% lower than average Physiology salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 19th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Bon Secours Health System, Medical University of South Carolina, Greenville Health System, and Moran Environmental Recovery, LLC. |
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South Dakota – $38,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 47th | ||||||||||
Average Physiology salaries for job postings in South Dakota are 25% lower than average Physiology salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 47th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Regional Health, Avera Health, Sanford Health, and Pro-Touch Nurses Inc.. |
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Tennessee – $47,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 29th | ||||||||||
Average Physiology salaries for job postings in Tennessee are 7% lower than average Physiology salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 29th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Premier Health Partners, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Gold's Gym, and MSHA Recruitment. |
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Texas – $49,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 23rd | ||||||||||
Average Physiology salaries for job postings in Texas are 3% lower than average Physiology salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 23rd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Fitness Connection, Houston Methodist, Fitness Connection DFW, and Gold's Gym. |
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Utah – $39,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 45th | ||||||||||
Average Physiology salaries for job postings in Utah are 22% lower than average Physiology salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 45th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Thryve Fitness Solutions, Premier Health Partners, University of Utah, and Tooele County School District. |
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Virginia – $51,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 15th | ||||||||||
Average Physiology salaries for job postings in Virginia are 1% higher than average Physiology salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 15th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Gold's Gym, Carilion Clinic, Sentara Healthcare, and Unlisted Company. |
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Vermont – $45,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 36th | ||||||||||
Average Physiology salaries for job postings in Vermont are 12% lower than average Physiology salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 36th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like ClearChoiceMD, Brattleboro Memorial Hospital, Lamoille North Supervisory Union, and Middlebury College. |
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Washington – $52,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 12th | ||||||||||
Average Physiology salaries for job postings in Washington State are 3% higher than average Physiology salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 12th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like YMCA of Pierce and Kitsap Counties, University of Washington, University of Washington Medical Center, and Swedish Medical Center – Seattle, WA. |
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Wisconsin – $45,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 37th | ||||||||||
Average Physiology salaries for job postings in Wisconsin are 11% lower than average Physiology salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 37th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin, Inc., Froedtert, SSM Health, and Gundersen Health System. |
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West Virginia – $48,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 26th | ||||||||||
Average Physiology salaries for job postings in West Virginia are 6% lower than average Physiology salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 26th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like CAMC Health System, West Virginia University, WVU HEALTHCARE, and American National University. |
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Wyoming – $42,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 43rd | ||||||||||
Average Physiology salaries for job postings in Wyoming are 17% lower than average Physiology salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 43rd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Cheyenne Regional Medical Center, Sheridan Memorial Hospital, Laramie County Community College, and Lander Regional Hospital. |
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