Sport & Fitness
Biokineticist
You use exercise as medicine to rehabilitate and prevent injury.
- Starting salary
- R18 000 – R28 000
- Job demand
- Growing fast
- Key subjects
- Life Sciences, Physical Sciences
What do they do?
You use exercise as medicine to rehabilitate and prevent injury.
A day in the life
You assess clients, prescribe exercise programmes and guide people through rehab sessions.
Skills you need
- Anatomy
- Coaching
- Empathy
- Record keeping
School subjects that help
- Life Sciences
- Physical Sciences
- Mathematics
How long does it take?
4 main steps after school, usually 3–6 years of study, plus practical experience.
Study path
- 1High school
- 2BA/BSc Sport Science
- 3Honours Biokinetics
- 4Internship
- 5Registered biokineticist
Ways in: University degree · Professional registration (HPCSA). University is not the only route.
Where can I study?
- Stellenbosch University
- University of Pretoria
- North-West University
- University of the Free State
- University of Johannesburg
- Nelson Mandela University
Admission requirements differ by institution, always check the official website.
What can I earn?
Entry level
R18 000 – R28 000
per month (estimate)
Mid career
R30 000 – R50 000
per month (estimate)
Experienced / senior
R55 000 – R90 000+
per month (estimate)
Estimated salary ranges only. Salaries vary based on experience, qualification, industry, location and employer.
How to start preparing now
- • Learn correct exercise technique
- • Help someone recover fitness safely
- • Study anatomy basics
Try this career
Create a safe rehab-style exercise plan for someone with a sore knee (research it first).
Related careers
Like this field but not sure about this exact job? Try these.
This tool is designed to help you explore career possibilities. It does not replace professional career counselling, school guidance or official university admission requirements.