Wellness Specialist

Wellness specialists work for schools, local governments, companies or other organizations to suggest, support and train people on their health and fitness goals. The types of concerns are as varied as weight and diabetes prevention and maintaining a healthy work-life balance. A specialist often consults with people directly on lifestyle, eating and exercise habits and may direct an individual to a doctor for any serious health concerns.With rising healthcare costs, governments and companies are creating programs to educate the public and employees. These programs are often designed by and implemented by wellness specialists. Because of rising healthcare costs and the need for programs to reduce costs, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics expects the wellness field to grow by 37 percent between 2010 and 2020, which is much faster than average for other careers in the United States. The average salary for a wellness specialist was $53,100 in 2012, according to the BLS. A wellness specialist often has a degree in a related discipline such as nursing, fitness or sports medicine. There are no specific requirements, but many positions require on-the-job training in addition to certification from accredited wellness organizations such as the International Association of Wellness Professionals.