Career Information and Salary for Kinesiology Majors
Career News December 26, 2012The study of human body movement is known as kinesiology. Several disciplines, such as sports management, physical education and exercise science are included in the umbrella class of study in kinesiology. There is a plethora of career options for individuals who have completed a graduate program in kinesiology. In this article, we will look at some of the career options available to kinesiology students and discuss what a graduate in kinesiology must do in order to enjoy a rewarding career.
Athletic Trainer
Average Wage Range:There are a large number of certified athletic trainers in the United States; the wage potential of an athletic trainer can vary depending on location and experience. In 2009, the average annual salary of an athletic trainer was $41,340, with an average for the middle 50% ranging between $33,810 and $51,310 (source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), (www.bls.gov).
Employment potential: In 2008, individuals numbering about 16,300 worked as athletic trainers, across the United States. A faster than average job growth rate was predicted by the BLS for athletic trainers seeking employment in the healthcare industry during the decade from 2008 to 2018. While athletic trainers are expected to enjoy a fantastic job outlook within the healthcare industry, they are expected to face stiffer competition for professional and collegiate sports team positions.
Physical Therapist
Average wage range:Similar to athletic trainers, the wage potential of a physical therapist can vary depending on location and experience. In 2009, the average annual salary of a physical therapist was $74,480, with an average for the middle 50% ranging between $62,270 and $87,940 (source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), (www.bls.gov).
Employment potential: An average job growth rate of thirty percent was predicted by the BLS for physical therapists seeking employment during the decade from 2008 to 2018. The projected job growth was encouraging across all industry settings and exceptionally strong in orthopedic, experienced nurse and acute hospital settings, with notable prospects in relation to healthcare facilities attracting elderly patients.
Recreational Therapist
Average wage range:In 2009, the average annual income of a recreational therapist was $39,440, with an average for the middle 50% ranging between $31,050 and $50,370 (source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), (www.bls.gov). The average salary of recreational therapists employed in government agencies and hospitals exceeded that of therapists working in community care or nursing facilities.
Employment potential: In 2008, individuals numbering about 16,300 worked as recreational therapists across the United States, of whom twenty-four percent were employed in nursing care facilities. Residential care facilities, state agencies and hospitals are among the other potential job settings. The BLS projected a higher-than-national-average job growth rate for recreational therapists during the decade from 2008 to 2018; however, competitions for available jobs are expected to be stiff.
