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.