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Freelance Exercise Science Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Marketing Associate I

Champaign, IL ยท On-site

$36K - $49K/yr

Manage the copy development process, either by drafting marketing copy or by working with freelance ... Knowledge in physical activity fields, kinesiology, and/or exercise science is a plus. * Previous ...

Marketing Associate I

Champaign, IL ยท On-site

$36K - $49K/yr

Manage the copy development process, either by drafting marketing copy or by working with freelance ... Knowledge in physical activity fields, kinesiology, and/or exercise science is a plus. * Previous ...

Cloud Software Engineer II

Los Angeles, CA ยท On-site

$81K - $141K/yr

Exercise judgment in coding following the software designs and conducting investigation activities ... Bachelor's degree in relevant engineering discipline, computer science, related engineering field.

Cloud Software Engineer II

Sylmar, CA ยท On-site

$81K - $141K/yr

Exercise judgment in coding following the software designs and conducting investigation activities ... Bachelor's degree in relevant engineering discipline, computer science, related engineering field.

Cloud Software Engineer II

Los Angeles, CA ยท On-site

$81K - $141K/yr

Exercise judgment in coding following the software designs and conducting investigation activities ... Bachelor's degree in relevant engineering discipline, computer science, related engineering field.

Freelance Exercise Science information

See salary details

$14

$47

$132

How much do freelance exercise science jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 19, 2026, the average hourly pay for freelance exercise science in the United States is $47.71, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $24.28 and $61.78 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What jobs can you do as an exercise scientist?

As an exercise scientist, you can work as a fitness trainer, sports coach, clinical exercise physiologist, or research analyst. These roles involve designing training programs, assessing physical performance, and promoting health and fitness, often requiring knowledge of anatomy, physiology, and certification in exercise science or related fields.

What is a freelance exercise science professional?

A freelance exercise science professional is an expert in human movement, fitness, and health who works independently, offering services such as personal training, fitness consulting, program development, or wellness coaching without being tied to a single employer. These professionals often collaborate with clients, gyms, sports teams, or corporate wellness programs on a contract basis. Freelance exercise science professionals may also conduct workshops, design fitness plans, or provide online coaching. Their work is flexible and can be tailored to the needs of different clients, allowing them to specialize in various areas such as strength training, rehabilitation, or sports performance.

What are the typical challenges freelance exercise science professionals face when working with diverse clients remotely?

Freelance exercise science professionals often encounter challenges such as tailoring exercise programs to clients of varying ages, fitness levels, and health backgrounds, especially when working remotely. Communication and motivation can be more difficult to maintain without in-person interactions, requiring strong virtual engagement skills and creative use of technology. Additionally, freelancers must stay updated on the latest research and best practices to provide safe, effective advice, while managing their own schedules, client acquisition, and administrative tasks. Building trust and rapport virtually is essential to client retention and successful outcomes.

What is the highest paying job with a kinesiology degree?

The highest paying jobs with a kinesiology degree often include physical therapists, athletic trainers, and exercise physiologists, with physical therapists typically earning the highest salaries. These roles usually require advanced certifications, licensure, and clinical experience, and they often work in healthcare or clinical settings. Salaries can vary based on location, experience, and specialization.

What is the highest paying job in exercise science?

The highest paying jobs in exercise science typically include roles such as sports medicine physicians, exercise physiologists with advanced certifications, and performance coaches working with professional athletes, often earning six-figure salaries. These positions usually require advanced education, specialized skills, and experience in clinical or high-performance environments.

What else can I do with an exercise science degree?

An exercise science degree prepares individuals for careers such as personal trainers, strength and conditioning coaches, physical therapists, sports coaches, and wellness program coordinators. It also provides a foundation for advanced roles in sports management, rehabilitation, and health education, often requiring additional certifications or licenses. Skills in anatomy, physiology, and fitness assessment are valuable across these professions.

What is the difference between Freelance Exercise Science vs Personal Trainer?

AspectFreelance Exercise SciencePersonal Trainer
CredentialsCertifications in exercise science, kinesiology, or related fieldsCertified personal trainer certifications (e.g., NASM, ACE)
Work EnvironmentIndependent consulting, online or client-specific sessionsGyms, fitness centers, private sessions
Employer/Industry UsageFreelance, health and wellness industryFitness industry, gyms, private clients
Search/Comparison IntentUnderstanding roles, qualifications, and freelance opportunitiesFinding personal training services or careers

Freelance Exercise Science involves providing expert advice on exercise programs, injury prevention, and performance optimization independently, often with advanced knowledge in exercise physiology. Personal Trainers focus on designing and delivering workout plans to clients, typically within gyms or private settings. While both roles require certifications, Freelance Exercise Science emphasizes consulting and education, whereas Personal Trainers concentrate on direct client fitness training.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Freelance Exercise Science professional, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Freelance Exercise Science professional, you need a solid background in exercise physiology, kinesiology, and program design, often supported by a relevant degree and certifications such as ACSM or NASM. Familiarity with fitness assessment tools, exercise planning software, and online coaching platforms is typically required. Exceptional communication, motivation, and adaptability help you build rapport with diverse clients and adjust programs to individual needs. These skills are vital to delivering effective, personalized fitness solutions and maintaining a successful freelance business.
More about Freelance Exercise Science jobs
What cities are hiring for Freelance Exercise Science jobs? Cities with the most Freelance Exercise Science job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Exercise Science jobs? The most popular types of Exercise Science jobs are:
What states have the most Freelance Exercise Science jobs? States with the most job openings for Freelance Exercise Science jobs include:
Infographic showing various Freelance Exercise Science job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 89% Full Time, 7% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 86% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 13% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $99,230 per year, or $47.7 per hour.
On-Call Research Specialist, Physical Activity (Future Opportunity)

On-Call Research Specialist, Physical Activity (Future Opportunity)

ICF International, Inc.

Reston, VA โ€ข On-site

Part-time

Posted 18 days ago


Job description

Job Description
The Work: ICF is looking for multiple On-Call Research Specialists to support a multi-year, large-scale systematic literature review project on physical activity for a federal client. Candidates will report to the Project Manager and/or Research Methodologist and will be primarily responsible for supporting literature screening and data extraction processes. They may also participate in various aspects of reporting results. The successful candidate will possess a strong understanding of exercise science concepts, the impacts of physical activity on health outcomes, the ability to critically evaluate scientific literature, familiarity with the systematic literature review approach, and strong attention to detail.
Job Location: This is a remote position however, the job must be performed in the United States. If you accept this position, you should note that ICF does monitor employee work locations and blocks access from foreign locations/foreign IP addresses, and also prohibits personal VPN connections.
As an on-call/freelancer, you might work zero to 30 hours per week, depending on our workload.
  • Work volume will fluctuate across the lifespan of the project. The weekly number of hours assigned to each Research Specialist will be dependent on project needs and Research Specialist's availability.
  • Research Specialists should be available to provide at least 5-10 hours of support per week; however, some weeks may have 0 hours assigned.
  • Our core work hours are 10am - 4pm Eastern Time with the option to start earlier or work later depending on your time zone.
  • Research Specialists may work outside of core work hours but must be able to attend and participate in regularly scheduled team meetings during ICF core work hours. Work schedules will be coordinated with the project leaders.

What You Will Do:
Research Specialists will support the project through the following activities
  • Screening literature for inclusion/exclusion in reviews
  • Extracting data from the included literature
  • Assessing the quality of included studies using standardized assessment tools
  • Supporting report development

What You Will Bring With You:
  • Master's degree in Exercise Science, Kinesiology, Physical Education, Public Health, Health Science
  • 1+ year of experience conducting physical activity-related research
  • Ability to read, interpret, and critically evaluate scientific literature related to physical activity, public health, and health behavior and outcomes.
  • Experience conducting systematic literature reviews.

What We Would Like You To Bring With You:
  • Familiarity with the 2nd Edition of the Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans
  • Experience with systematic literature review management platforms (e.g., DistillerSR, Covidence, Rayyan, etc.)
  • Basic understanding of the meta-analysis approach as demonstrated through past job experience, coursework, and/or publication history
  • Basic understanding of umbrella reviews (review of reviews) as demonstrated through coursework or publication history

Professional Skills:
  • Strong attention to detail
  • Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams
  • Ability to prioritize and work on multiple projects under strict deadlines in a fast-paced environment.

Working at ICF
ICF is a global advisory and technology services provider, but we're not your typical consultants. We combine unmatched expertise with cutting-edge technology to help clients solve their most complex challenges, navigate change, and shape the future.
We can only solve the world's toughest challenges by building a workplace that allows everyone to thrive. We are an equal opportunity employer. Together, our employees are empowered to share their expertise and collaborate with others to achieve personal and professional goals. For more information, please read our EEO policy.
We will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.
Reasonable Accommodations are available, including, but not limited to, for disabled veterans, individuals with disabilities, and individuals with sincerely held religious beliefs, in all phases of the application and employment process. To request an accommodation, please email Candidateaccommodation@icf.com and we will be happy to assist. All information you provide will be kept confidential and will be used only to the extent required to provide needed reasonable accommodations.
Read more about workplace discrimination rights or our benefit offerings which are included in the Transparency in (Benefits) Coverage Act.
Candidate AI Usage Policy
At ICF, we are committed to ensuring a fair interview process for all candidates based on their own skills and knowledge. As part of this commitment, the use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools to generate or assist with responses during interviews (whether in-person or virtual) is not permitted. This policy is in place to maintain the integrity and authenticity of the interview process.
However, we understand that some candidates may require accommodation that involves the use of AI. If such an accommodation is needed, candidates are instructed to contact us in advance at candidateaccommodation@icf.com. We are dedicated to providing the necessary support to ensure that all candidates have an equal opportunity to succeed.
Pay Range - There are multiple factors that are considered in determining final pay for a position, including, but not limited to, relevant work experience, skills, certifications and competencies that align to the specified role, geographic location, education and certifications as well as contract provisions regarding labor categories that are specific to the position.
The pay range for this position based on full-time employment is:
$74,090.00 - $125,954.00
Nationwide Remote Office (US99)