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Fitness trainer: pay, job outlook and how to become one

Updated October 23, 2026. Based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and O*NET data. Published by Humblebee.

$47,160median pay per year, or $22.67 an hour, May 2025[1]
  1. $28,800lowest 10% earn less
  2. $35,28025th percentile
  3. $47,160median
  4. $61,73075th percentile
  5. $83,100top 10% earn more
Middle half of workers in the inner band[3]Median for all US jobs, $50,980[4]

The median fitness trainer or group fitness instructor earned $47,160 a year in May 2025[1]. Jobs are projected to grow 7.3% from 2025 to 2035[2].

Job growth, 2025–35
+7.3%[2]
Openings per year
68,000[5]
Typical entry education
High school diploma or equivalent[6]

How much do fitness trainers make?

BLS counts this job as Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors. In May 2025, the median pay was $47,160 a year, or $22.67 an hour[1]. Half of workers earned more and half earned less. The average was $52,420 a year, or $25.20 an hour[7].

For comparison, the median for all occupations was $50,980 a year[4]. The median for this job was lower than that[1][4].

Pay varies a lot within the job. The table shows the percentile wages.

Point Annual wage Hourly wage
10th percentile[3][8] $28,800 $13.85
25th percentile[3][8] $35,280 $16.96
Median[1] $47,160 $22.67
75th percentile[3][8] $61,730 $29.68
90th percentile[3][8] $83,100 $39.95

The lowest-paid 10% earned less than $28,800 a year, and the highest-paid 10% earned more than $83,100[3]. A percentile is a boundary, and BLS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary[9].

These wages cover people paid a wage or salary, part-time or full-time. They leave out the self-employed, and they do not include bonuses that are not tied to production or the cost of benefits[10]. BLS projections data show 14.8% of these workers were self-employed in 2025[11].

Pay by state and city

Median pay differs a lot from state to state. The highest state medians were Massachusetts at $64,620, Connecticut at $61,580 and New Jersey at $59,870[12]. The lowest listed was Mississippi at $30,540[12].

The states with the most jobs were California with 43,600, New York with 20,140 and Illinois with 19,830[13]. California's median was $57,990[12].

Among metro areas with at least 100 jobs, the highest medians were Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury, CT at $73,910 and New Haven, CT at $72,800[14]. The metro area with the most jobs was New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ with 22,970 jobs and a median of $53,580[15].

Show median pay in 50 states and DC
StateMedian per yearJobs
Massachusetts[12]$64,6209,200
Connecticut$61,5802,850
New Jersey$59,87011,350
Oregon$58,5104,800
California$57,99043,600
Nevada$57,9603,010
Vermont$57,300710
Washington$50,8309,270
Wyoming$50,250560
Colorado$49,90010,500
Idaho$49,7802,360
New Hampshire$49,3601,500
Hawaii$48,290990
Arizona$47,9807,010
Maryland$47,4208,650
Tennessee$47,3805,080
Georgia$47,1507,500
New York$47,09020,140
Maine$47,0601,140
Illinois$46,80019,830
North Carolina$46,45010,670
Alaska$46,210800
Rhode Island$45,640990
Michigan$45,5206,050
Kentucky$45,2801,990
Pennsylvania$45,25011,580
Utah$44,8006,830
New Mexico$44,6801,030
Oklahoma$44,5202,300
Louisiana$44,4102,290
Delaware$44,3401,210
Wisconsin$44,2006,330
Montana$43,9401,420
South Carolina$43,6305,130
Minnesota$43,6207,010
Arkansas$42,1401,390
Texas$40,88019,260
Virginia$40,82012,100
South Dakota$40,070950
District of Columbia$39,2101,480
Alabama$39,1802,680
Florida$38,80018,070
West Virginia$38,120500
North Dakota$37,760680
Missouri$36,4505,060
Ohio$36,3709,040
Iowa$36,1602,510
Kansas$35,9004,510
Indiana$34,9605,360
Nebraska$31,4402,410
Mississippi$30,5401,260

How to become a fitness trainer

The usual path into this job is short. BLS lists a high school diploma or equivalent for entry, no work experience in a related occupation and short-term on-the-job training[6]. Requirements vary by specialty and by facility, and employers usually prefer certified workers[16].

1) Finish high school or an equivalent[6]. This is the typical entry education. 2) Get certified in your specialty[17]. Personal trainers usually must be certified before they work with clients or gym members. Group fitness instructors may start without it, but employers often encourage or require it[17]. Many organizations offer certification, and some private companies certify people for the classes they run[18]. 3) Prepare for the exam[19]. Exams with a written part test knowledge of human physiology, exercise technique and how to assess clients and plan programs. Some also ask candidates to teach a class for a live or video demonstration[19]. 4) Add CPR, first aid and AED training[20]. Most trainers and instructors also need these[20]. 5) Expect some supervised time[21]. New personal trainers may have to work alongside an experienced trainer before they train clients alone[21].

How long this takes depends on the credential. Training for fitness instructors varies, and some credentials call for 200 to 500 hours[22]. Employers may also prefer personal trainers who hold an associate's or bachelor's degree in a field such as recreation and fitness or healthcare[23].

In an O*NET survey of 21 workers, 38% said a post-secondary certificate was the education required, 19% said a post-baccalaureate certificate, 14% said less than a high school diploma, and 10% each said a high school diploma, a bachelor's degree or a master's degree[24]. The survey is small, so read these shares as a rough picture.

Skills that BLS lists as important include communication, customer service, listening and motivating clients[25][26][27][28].

What fitness trainers do

Fitness trainers coach groups or individuals in exercise for personal fitness. They show good form, watch participants and explain how to improve[29]. Typical tasks include:

Workers report job titles such as personal trainer, group exercise instructor, aerobics instructor and fitness specialist[31].

Where they work

The largest employer type was fitness and recreational sports centers, at 55% of jobs in 2025[32]. Some trainers work in fitness centers run by other kinds of organizations for their staff or members, and some work in clients' homes[33].

Many trainers work variable or part-time schedules that can include nights, weekends or holidays. Some travel between gyms or to clients' homes. Some hold jobs in other fields and teach around that work[34].

Job outlook

BLS projects employment of exercise trainers and group fitness instructors to grow 7.3% from 2025 to 2035, from about 388,400 to 416,900 jobs, a gain of 28,500[2]. For all occupations, projected growth is 3.5%[35]. So this job is projected to grow faster than the average for all occupations[2][35].

BLS projects about 68,000 openings a year on average from 2025 to 2035[5]. Openings include jobs created when workers retire or move to other occupations, not only new jobs[5]. Each year, 6.1% of workers leave the labor force and 10.1% move to a different occupation[36].

The job counts above differ from the 322,930 wage and salary jobs in the May 2025 pay data[37]. The projection counts include self-employed workers[2], and the pay data leave them out[37][10].

Is it a good fit?

The facts point to a short path in. The typical entry education is a high school diploma, with no related experience and short-term on-the-job training[6]. Certification is common and is usually needed for personal training[17]. Pay is mixed. The median of $47,160 was below the all-occupations median of $50,980, while the 90th percentile reached $83,100[1][4][3]. Growth is projected above the all-occupations rate, and there are about 68,000 openings a year[2][35][5]. Variable and part-time schedules are common, so people should expect schedules that vary or are part-time[34].

Related occupations from O*NET, with BLS median pay and projected growth[38].

Frequently asked questions

How much does a fitness trainer make an hour?
The median was $22.67 an hour in May 2025 and the average was $25.20[1][7]. The 10th percentile was $13.85 and the 90th percentile was $39.95[8].
Do you need a degree to be a fitness trainer?
BLS lists a high school diploma or equivalent as the typical entry education[6]. Employers may prefer an associate's or bachelor's degree for personal trainers[23]. Certification is usually needed for personal trainers[17].
How long does it take to become a fitness trainer?
The facts give no single length. BLS lists short-term on-the-job training[6], and some instructor credentials call for 200 to 500 hours of training[22].
Are fitness trainers in demand?
BLS projects 7.3% growth from 2025 to 2035, compared with 3.5% for all occupations[2][35]. About 68,000 openings a year are projected[5].
What is the highest paying state for fitness trainers?
Massachusetts had the highest median at $64,620 a year in May 2025[12]. Connecticut was next at $61,580[12].

Facts and sources

  1. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median wage for Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors in the US was $47,160 per year and $22.67 per hour. Half of workers earned more and half earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  2. BLS Employment Projections: employment of Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors is projected to grow 7.3% from 2025 to 2035, from about 388,400 to 416,900 jobs (a change of +28,500). These counts include self-employed workers. BLS Employment Projections
  3. BLS OEWS, May 2025, annual wage percentiles for Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors: 10th percentile $28,800, 25th percentile $35,280, 75th percentile $61,730, 90th percentile $83,100. The 10th percentile means 10% of workers earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  4. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median annual wage for all occupations in the US was $50,980. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  5. BLS Employment Projections: about 68,000 openings for Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors are projected each year, on average, from 2025 to 2035. Openings include jobs that open when workers retire or move to other occupations, not only new jobs. BLS Employment Projections
  6. BLS Employment Projections, typical path into Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors: education needed for entry: High school diploma or equivalent; work experience in a related occupation: None; typical on-the-job training: Short-term on-the-job training. BLS Employment Projections
  7. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the mean (average) wage for Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors was $52,420 per year and $25.20 per hour. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  8. BLS OEWS, May 2025, hourly wage percentiles for Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors: 10th percentile $13.85, 25th percentile $16.96, 75th percentile $29.68, 90th percentile $39.95. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  9. BLS OEWS FAQ: a percentile wage is a boundary. The median (50th percentile) separates the highest-paid 50% from the lowest-paid 50% of workers in the occupation. OEWS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  10. BLS OEWS FAQ: OEWS covers part-time and full-time workers paid a wage or salary. It does not cover the self-employed, owners and partners in unincorporated firms, household workers or unpaid family workers. OEWS wages do not include nonproduction bonuses or employer costs of benefits such as health insurance or retirement contributions. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  11. BLS Employment Projections: 14.8% of Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors were self-employed in 2025. BLS Employment Projections
  12. Median annual wage for Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors in every state with published data, May 2025 (table on this page). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  13. BLS OEWS, May 2025, states with the most Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors jobs: California 43,600; New York 20,140; Illinois 19,830; Texas 19,260; Florida 18,070. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  14. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the highest median annual wage for Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors (areas with at least 100 jobs): Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury, CT $73,910; New Haven, CT $72,800; Norwich-New London-Willimantic, CT $65,990; Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH $65,190; Reno, NV $64,300; Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA $62,500; Barnstable Town, MA $62,400; San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $62,010. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  15. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the most Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors jobs: New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ 22,970 (median $53,580); Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN 16,350 (median $47,680); Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA 16,350 (median $57,630); Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV 10,440 (median $46,190); Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD 7,820 (median $48,040); Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH 7,350 (median $65,190). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  16. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  17. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  18. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  19. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  20. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  21. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Training. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  22. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Training. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  23. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  24. O*NET 39-9031.00 survey of workers (21 respondents), education level they say is required: Post-Secondary Certificate 38%, Post-Baccalaureate Certificate 19%, Less than a High School Diploma 14%, High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED) 10%, Bachelor's Degree 10%, Master's Degree 10% (levels under 5% not listed). O*NET OnLine
  25. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  26. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  27. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  28. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  29. O*NET description of Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors. O*NET OnLine
  30. O*NET task list for Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors. O*NET OnLine
  31. O*NET 39-9031.00 sample job titles reported by workers: Aerobics Instructor, Fitness Instructor, Fitness Specialist, Fitness Trainer, Group Exercise Instructor, Group Fitness Instructor, Personal Trainer, Private Trainer. O*NET OnLine
  32. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, largest employers of fitness trainers and instructors in 2025: Fitness and recreational sports centers 55%. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  33. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  34. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Work Schedules. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  35. BLS Employment Projections: employment in all occupations is projected to grow 3.5% from 2025 to 2035. BLS Employment Projections
  36. BLS Employment Projections, 2025-35 annual average for Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors: 6.1% of workers leave the labor force each year and 10.1% move to a different occupation. BLS Employment Projections
  37. BLS OEWS, May 2025: about 322,930 people were employed as Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors in the US (wage and salary jobs, not counting self-employed workers). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  38. Related occupations (O*NET) with BLS pay, growth and entry education. O*NET OnLine

Notes are for reading the data only. They are not facts and cannot be cited: use the wage_scope and percentile_meaning facts instead. OEWS employment (jobs in May 2025) and Employment Projections employment (2025, includes self-employed) are different measures and can differ. O*NET education shares come from a small survey of workers in the occupation, not from all workers.

This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerFacts has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.