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First, some facts. Of the Kinesiology graduates we've analyzed , here's how many have used (or NOT used) their degree in their career:
These are estimates based on AI analysis of 369 LinkedIn profiles (see below).
The verdict? On par with the average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 67%, Kinesiology graduates have about the same likelihood of finding work in this field as the average graduate across all fields:
And for comparison, here's the chart for all profiles we've looked at across all degrees.
Also, after graduating, 56% of these graduates have pursued further education other than another Bachelor's degree (such as a Masters degree or other), compared to the average across all profiles of 35%. This suggests you may need more than just a Bachelors degree to be competitive as a Kinesiology graduate.
See the details:
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Relevance score: 3% We think this person has NOT gone into a career related to their degree.
DEGREE INFOGraduated in 2016 from Montana State University-Bozeman with a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology. No other secondary education since. JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATIONMaster Personal Trainer Colorado Athletic Club Apr 2017 - Oct 2017 Regional Association Coordinator  Pinnacle Property Management Services Oct 2018 - Aug 2019 Operations Manager Nova Association Management Partners 2019 - Oct 2021 Director Of Operations Nova Association Management Partners Oct 2021 - Present ABOUTForward-thinking, innovative and experienced collaborator in Executive Operations, skilled in effectively executing long-term strategies. Develops and implements policies to achieve organizational objectives including product management, budgeting and customer success. Excellent written and verbal communication skills and proven experience effectively presenting and negotiating. |
The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:
After reviewing a myriad of LinkedIn profiles of individuals who have graduated with degrees in Kinesiology, it becomes clear that the job market for these graduates presents a mixed bag of opportunities. The most common types of positions these graduates have taken on primarily revolve around healthcare, education, and fitness. A considerable number of graduates are working as physical therapists, physical therapy aides, or within the realms of occupational therapy. These roles directly utilize the principles and knowledge acquired during their studies, spotlighting a strong connection to the Kinesiology degree.
Aside from these relevant positions in healthcare, many alumni have pursued roles outside direct kinesiology applications. For instance, some have taken on coaching and teaching roles in physical education, which do relate to what they've learned in their degree. However, a substantial number of graduates have ended up in jobs that do not utilize their specialized skills in kinesiology, such as management positions in retail, administrative roles, or even sales positions unrelated to fitness or health. In particular, the prevalence of roles like sales representative or administrative assistant shows that many Kinesiology graduates can face challenges in finding jobs that truly reflect their educational background.
Moreover, while many of the roles directly applicable to Kinesiology—especially in physical therapy and personal training—are relevant and utilize their education effectively, the significant number of graduates who have entered fields that do not directly relate to their degrees suggests an underlying concern. Graduates may be forced to settle for jobs that, while related to wellness or physical health in broad terms, do not fully leverage their skills and knowledge stemming from rigorous kinesiology programs. Thus, the relevance of their jobs to the field of Kinesiology varies greatly, with a mixture of high-relevance roles in rehabilitation and fitness clashing with a notable portion of low-relevance careers that lean on other domains of expertise.
In summary, while the Kinesiology degree prepares individuals for impactful careers in health and fitness, the diversity of roles taken up by graduates reveals a complex landscape. For many, the ideal is to engage in professions that fully utilize their kinesiology knowledge, but the reality is that some may have to navigate a job market that doesn't always reflect their academic training. This dichotomy showcases both the potential for fulfilling careers in kinesiology-related fields and the challenges faced by graduates seeking relevant employment.
Here is a visual representation of the most common words in job titles for Kinesiology graduates:
When you look at the career paths of kinesiology graduates, it’s clear that there’s a mix of success stories and some less traditional outcomes. Many graduates land their first jobs in related fields such as physical therapy, coaching, and health education. For example, several graduates from universities like California State University and the University of Illinois pursued roles as physical therapy aides or assistants soon after graduation. These initial roles are directly applicable to their degree and lay a solid foundation for future career advancements in physical therapy. It seems that for many, starting off as a therapy aide or technician is a pretty common path, involving internships that help them gain the necessary hands-on experience right out of school.
Fast forward five to ten years, and the trajectories start to vary quite a bit. While some remain in the health and rehabilitation fields, moving up to positions like physical therapists, occupational therapists, or even clinic directors, we also see quite a few who have strayed into less health-specific roles. For example, some kinesiology graduates have shifted into management or administrative positions in non-health sectors. This suggests that while a kinesiology degree opens doors into healthcare-related careers, it also allows flexibility for graduates to venture into other domains. Unfortunately, some profiles show that individuals have ended up in unrelated fields altogether, like marketing or sales, which could indicate a lack of opportunity or a personal choice to divert from the expected career trajectory. Overall, it paints a picture of a field where students can initially find relevant jobs, but the long-term outcomes can vary widely depending on personal choices and market opportunities.
A Bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology can be a bit of a mixed bag when it comes to difficulty. It definitely has its challenging moments, especially if you're tackling courses in anatomy, physiology, and biomechanics; those classes can be pretty intense! However, if you’re genuinely interested in the subject and enjoy subjects like biology and physical fitness, you might find it more manageable. It’s not necessarily harder than other degrees, but it does require a good amount of dedication, especially when it comes to labs and practical work. Overall, if you put in the effort and stay organized, you can definitely handle it!
Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 4 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Kinesiology.
Looking at the career paths of these Kinesiology graduates, it's clear that the level of financial success can vary widely depending on their specific roles and industry sectors. For instance, physical therapists and those in healthcare-related positions who have advanced roles tend to earn decent salaries, especially as they gain experience or move into managerial positions. On the other hand, graduates in teaching or entry-level physical therapy positions might experience more modest earnings, especially at the beginning of their careers. Overall, while some graduates are clearly on a lucrative path in healthcare, others seem to be in financially modest or even struggling roles, particularly in education or internships.
Many graduates are still building their careers, and it's common for recent graduates to start lower on the salary scale before advancing into better-paying positions. While it’s difficult to gauge exactly how much everyone is making without specifics, it seems like there’s a mixed bag of outcomes. It largely boils down to individual choices, locations, industries, and the advancement of experience over time. So, there’s potential for good earnings, but starting salaries can sometimes be a tough hurdle to get over.
Here is a visual representation of the most common words seen in the "about" section of LinkedIn profiles who have a Bachelor degree in Kinesiology. This may or may not be useful:
Here are all colleges offering a Bachelor degree in Kinesiology (ordered by the average relevance score of their Kinesiology graduates, best to worst) where we have analyzed at least 10 of their graduates:
| College | Score | Count |
|---|---|---|
 Penn State University
|
72 | 12 |
 Arizona State University
|
57 | 12 |