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Personal Trainer Salary | Fitness Instructor Income, Education, and Job Overview

Personal trainers, which also includes fitness trainers and aerobics instructors, help individuals maintain a health lifestyle through fitness. Personal trainers instruct clients on proper exercise techniques, and they also motivate them to achieve their fitness goals. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, personal trainers earned an average hourly wage of $18.95 and an average salary of $39,410.

In this article, you’ll learn detailed salary statistics for personal trainers (for all 50 states), common job duties, education requirements, and more.

Personal Trainer Job Overview

Here are some of the common job duties for a personal trainer, aerobics instructor, or other fitness trainers:

  • personal trainers demonstrate how to use various machines and exercise equipment, and demonstrate exercises.
  • They instruct clients on proper safety protocols and dangers of equipment.
  • They observe clients exercise and ensure proper form and technique.
  • They provide alternative exercises during workouts or classes for different levels of fitness and skill.
  • They track their clients’ progress and make diet or exercise program changes to ensure they reach their goals.
  • They create exercise programs and routines for clients.
  • They give clients information or resources about nutrition, weight control, and lifestyle issues.
  • In some fitness facilities, personal trainers may also assist with equipment cleaning/maintenance. They may also sell products or memberships.

Personal Trainer Education Requirements

Almost all trainers and instructors have at least a high school diploma before entering the occupation. CPR certification is also preferred, especially since there is always the risk of a client experiencing a heart attack or injury during physical activity.

Most employers prefer personal trainers to have an associate’s or bachelor’s degree related to a health or fitness field, such as exercise science, kinesiology, or physical education. However, this is not always required.

Certification is highly recommended or required by most fitness facilities. Employers prefer to hire fitness trainers and instructors who are certified. Many personal trainers must be certified before they begin working with clients or with members of a gym or other type of health club.

Many organizations offer certification. The National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA), part of the Institute for Credentialing Excellence, lists certifying organizations that are accredited. This certification typically involves taking a written exam, and even a practical examination. Some advanced levels of certification require an associate’s degree or bachelor’s degree.

On-the-job training is also provided by many fitness organizations.

Personal Trainer Advantages and Disadvantages

Most personal trainers love their jobs. However, as with any professions, fitness instructors do have their likes and dislikes.

Here’s what personal trainers like about their job:

  • The job is very fun and rewarding. Most personal trainers are very enthusiastic about fitness and enjoy working out and teaching others. For a lot of people, it doesn’t feel like work.
  • Personal trainers get to meet many different people and can positively impact their lives and improve their health and self-esteem through fitness.
  • This career provides flexibility in your schedule if you go the self-employed route. Others also enjoy the perks of gym access if they work for a healthcare facility.

Here’s what personal trainers dislike about their job:

  • It can be difficult building up a client base if you are self-employed. It can take time to increase your income and establish regular clients.
  • Some clients have unrealistic expectations. They think after working out for one month they’re supposed to look like Arnold Schwarzenegger.
  • People can become injured during training.
  • People can even pass gas when they’re straining, which can be awkward and embarrassing for both the trainer and client.

Job Outlook for Personal and Fitness Trainers

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of fitness trainers and instructors is projected to grow 8 percent from 2014 to 2024, about as fast as the average for all occupations. As of 2014, there were 241,000 fitness instructors employed in the United States.

Personal Trainer Income

How much money does a personal trainer make? According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, personal trainers earned an average hourly wage of $18.95 and an average salary of $39,410. See additional salary statistics below.

Employment estimate and mean wage estimates for this occupation:

Employment Employment
RSE
Mean hourly
wage
Mean annual
wage
Wage RSE
241,000 1.4 % $18.95 $39,410 0.7 %

Percentile wage estimates for this occupation:

Percentile 10% 25% 50%
(Median)
75% 90%
Hourly Wage $8.71 $10.84 $16.82 $24.48 $32.48
Annual Wage $18,110 $22,540 $34,980 $50,920 $67,560

Industries with the highest levels of employment in this occupation:

Industry Employment Percent of industry employment Hourly mean wage Annual mean wage
Other Amusement and Recreation Industries 160,590 13.91 $19.57 $40,710
Civic and Social Organizations 33,300 8.66 $16.89 $35,130
Local Government (OES Designation) 11,180 0.21 $16.75 $34,840
Other Schools and Instruction 9,950 2.63 $19.11 $39,740
Other Personal Services 5,130 1.82 $16.53 $34,390

Top paying industries for this occupation:

Industry Employment Percent of industry employment Hourly mean wage Annual mean wage
Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services n/a n/a $32.89 $68,410
Activities Related to Real Estate 260 0.04 $25.12 $52,240
Technical and Trade Schools n/a n/a $25.06 $52,120
Other Ambulatory Health Care Services 270 0.10 $23.70 $49,290
Employment Services 920 0.03 $23.08 $48,000

Top paying states for fitness instructors:

State Employment Employment per thousand jobs Location quotient Hourly mean wage Annual mean wage
New York 14,900 1.69 0.95 $25.99 $54,050
California 27,100 1.79 1.01 $23.69 $49,280
New Jersey 10,110 2.61 1.47 $23.57 $49,030
Connecticut 3,840 2.33 1.31 $23.17 $48,200
Massachusetts 9,510 2.86 1.60 $22.72 $47,260

Lowest paying states for personal trainers:

State Hourly mean wage Annual mean wage
Arkansas $11.46 $23,830
Iowa $12.00 $24,970
West Virginia $12.20 $25,380
Ohio $12.87 $26,770
Wyoming $13.00 $27,040
North Dakota $13.36 $27,780
South Dakota $13.50 $28,080
Missouri $14.06 $29,240

Salary for personal trainers in all 50 states:

State Hourly mean wage Annual mean wage
Alabama $16.65 $34,630
Alaska $16.77 $34,890
Arizona $18.62 $38,730
Arkansas $11.46 $23,830
California $23.69 $49,280
Colorado $20.28 $42,180
Connecticut $23.17 $48,200
Delaware $15.81 $32,890
District of Columbia $20.58 $42,800
Florida $16.63 $34,580
Georgia $18.97 $39,450
Hawaii $20.70 $43,060
Idaho $15.54 $32,330
Illinois $17.01 $35,380
Indiana $14.66 $30,500
Iowa $12.00 $24,970
Kansas $16.21 $33,720
Kentucky $16.82 $34,980
Louisiana $14.89 $30,960
Maine $17.77 $36,950
Maryland $18.86 $39,220
Massachusetts $22.72 $47,260
Michigan $15.89 $33,040
Minnesota $17.49 $36,380
Mississippi $14.51 $30,190
Missouri $14.06 $29,240
Montana $16.61 $34,540
Nebraska $16.01 $33,290
Nevada $16.07 $33,420
New Hampshire $17.56 $36,530
New Jersey $23.57 $49,030
New Mexico $15.58 $32,410
New York $25.99 $54,050
North Carolina $15.98 $33,230
North Dakota $13.36 $27,780
Ohio $12.87 $26,770
Oklahoma $16.62 $34,560
Oregon $19.59 $40,740
Pennsylvania $15.14 $31,490
Puerto Rico $14.85 $30,880
Rhode Island $16.82 $35,000
South Carolina $15.68 $32,620
South Dakota $13.50 $28,080
Tennessee $15.97 $33,210
Texas $20.27 $42,170
Utah $18.82 $39,140
Vermont $18.74 $38,970
Virginia $20.43 $42,490
Washington $19.61 $40,790
West Virginia $12.20 $25,380
Wisconsin $15.03 $31,250
Wyoming $13.00 $27,040

References:

Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2014-15 Edition, Fitness Instructors, on the Internet at bls.gov.

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