7 health care jobs perfect for fitness nuts

For a feel-good career, set your sights on mending injuries and restoring well-being.

By Morgan Kastner, Monster contributor

Finding a job that combines good pay and strong growth potential is a dream come true. Add in the possibility of helping others, and it's almost too good to be true. Or maybe not. Fitness jobs are popular throughout health care, which means you can generate a strong career for yourself.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the health care industry is projected to grow a whopping 18% through 2026. Using BLS data, Monster identified seven health care jobs that are dedicated to helping set patients on the path to well being while offering great job growth and some pretty awesome salaries too.

Athletic trainer

What you’d do: Athletic trainers work with professional athletes but also with non-athletes—from young children to soldiers—to prevent, diagnose and treat muscle and bone injuries and illnesses. They also create comprehensive programs for athletes to prevent injury and illness, and rehabilitation programs for injured athletes.
What you’d need: A bachelor’s degree is needed, but master’s degrees have become more common. State requirements vary, but most require athletic trainers to be licensed or certified. Learn how to become an athletic trainer.
What you’d make: $46,630 per year

Find athletic trainer jobs on Monster.

Exercise physiologist

What you’d do: Exercise physiologists develop fitness and exercise programs to improve cardiovascular function, body composition and flexibility to help patients recover from chronic diseases and disorders. They make individualized fitness regimens for each patient depending on an individual’s goals and medical history.
What you’d need: A bachelor’s degree in science or health-related courses is needed. Currently, Louisiana is the only state that requires exercise physiologists to be licensed.
What you’d make: $49,090 per year

Find exercise physiologist jobs on Monster.

Fitness trainer

What you’d do: Fitness trainers lead others in exercise activities, including cardiovascular work, strength training, and stretching. They often plan their own classes and make adjustments as they see fit for clients. They also make sure clients are performing the exercises correctly to avoid injury.
What you’d need: Most trainers need at least a high school diploma, but an increasing amount of employers are also asking for an associate’s or bachelor’s degree in a health- or fitness-related field. Many employers require fitness trainers to be certified. Check out this personal trainer sample resume.
What you’d make: $39,210 per year

Find fitness trainer jobs on Monster.

Massage therapist

What you’d do: Massage therapists treat clients by using touch to manipulate the muscles and other soft tissues of the body. With their touch, therapists relieve pain, help heal injuries, improve circulation, relieve stress, increase relaxation, and aid in the general wellness of clients.
What you’d need: Massage therapists typically complete a postsecondary education program of 500 or more hours of study and experience, although standards and requirements vary by state or other jurisdictions. Most states regulate massage therapy and require massage therapists to have a license or certification. Check out this massage therapist sample resume.
What you’d make: $39,990 per year

Find massage therapist jobs on Monster.

Occupational therapist

What you’d do: Occupational therapists treat the injured and disabled to improve their ability to perform skills needed for daily living or working. They evaluate a patient and recommend different exercises, equipment or changes to a patient’s environment to help them live a more independent life.
What you’d need: Occupational therapists must have a master’s degree and be licensed to practice. In the degree program, occupational therapists go through 24 weeks of supervised fieldwork to gain clinical experience. Learn how to become an occupational therapist.
What you’d make: $83,200 per year

Find occupational therapist jobs on Monster.

Physical therapist

What you’d do: Physical therapists work with patients during rehabilitation from chronic conditions, illnesses or injuries. A physical therapist assesses each patient’s needs and develops a plan consisting of exercise, functional movement training and/or the use of canes, wheelchairs, etc. The goal is to increase the patient’s range of mobility.
What you’d need: A Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree is required. The program lasts about three years and students usually need a bachelor’s degree before they enter the DPT program. All states require that physical therapists be licensed. View a sample resume for a physical therapist.
What you’d make: $86,850 per year

Find physical therapist jobs on Monster.

Recreational therapist

What you’d do: Recreational therapists work with people who are disabled, ill or injured to help improve their physical, social or emotional well-being. They develop and coordinate recreation-based treatment programs for patients, often including activities such as dance, art, sports, aquatics or drama. For patients with limited mobility, the recreational therapist may offer lessons on how to perform tasks by emphasizing the functional parts of their body.
What you’d need: Recreational therapists need a bachelor’s degree in recreational therapy or a related field, such as recreation and leisure studies. Most employers require their recreational therapists to be certified.
What you’d make: $47,680 per year

Find recreational therapist jobs on Monster.

Strengthen your job search

Your love of fitness can translate into a healthy career, but you have to commit to the job search. Finding an awesome job requires stamina and focus. Looking for the right trainer? Join Monster for free today. As a member, you can upload up to five versions of your resume—each tailored to the types of health care jobs that interest you. Recruiters search Monster every day looking to fill top jobs with qualified candidates, just like you. Additionally, you can get job alerts sent directly to your inbox to cut down on time spent looking through ads. Put some muscle behind your job search with Monster.