Explore national salary, projected growth, education requirements, and career opportunities across the United States.
A concise view of this occupation’s national scale, compensation, and projected demand.
National median annual wage for this occupation.
Estimated jobs currently supported nationwide.
Projected employment change through 2034.
Estimated openings created each year.
The typical education, prior experience, and on-the-job training associated with entry into this career.
High school diploma or equivalent
None
Short-term on-the-job training
These are the highest-rated capabilities associated with success in this occupation. Scores are derived from occupational skill analysis and are measured on a 100-point scale.
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Exercise trainers and group fitness instructors (39-9031) work in a field that combines physical fitness with strong people skills. National employment stands at 370,000, indicating a sizable workforce and a broad range of potential workplaces. A national median annual salary of $46,180 provides a clear reference point for overall earning expectations. The projected employment growth of 11.9% and 74,000 annual openings suggest that new positions and replacement needs should be consistently available. Typical entry into this career requires a high school diploma or equivalent, which can make it accessible to career starters and career changers. Success in this role relies on a mix of physical strength and stamina, interpersonal ability, leadership, speaking and listening, and customer service. Skills such as creativity and innovation, adaptability, and science can further support career development. Related options include roles such as personal care and service workers, animal trainers, nursing assistants, physical therapist aides, and home health and personal care aides.
The national median annual salary for exercise trainers and group fitness instructors is $46,180. Within this national picture, there are notable variations by state and metro. Among the top states by opportunity score, median salaries range from $47,090 in New York to $64,620 in Massachusetts, with California at $57,990, Colorado at $49,900, and Washington at $50,830. At the metro level, several areas stand out with higher median pay: Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH reports $65,190, San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA reports $62,010, and San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA reports $61,000. The New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ metro shows a median of $53,580, while Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV aligns closely with the national figure at $46,190. These differences show that location can play a significant role in earnings for this occupation.
Exercise trainers and group fitness instructors have a national employment level of 370,000, indicating a well-established occupation with many existing roles. Projected employment growth is 11.9%, pointing to an expanding field over the projection period. With 74,000 annual openings, there should be ongoing opportunities both from new job creation and from turnover in existing positions. This combination of current employment size, projected growth, and annual openings suggests a labor market where job seekers can expect a steady flow of opportunities in various settings. Because the growth rate is the same across the state and metro figures listed, individuals considering relocation can compare areas using other factors such as salary and opportunity scores. For those interested in related paths, similar occupations include personal care and service workers (all other), animal trainers, nursing assistants, physical therapist aides, and home health and personal care aides.
Location choices can significantly influence opportunity for exercise trainers and group fitness instructors. Among states, California has the highest employment level listed at 43,600 and a median salary of $57,990, with an opportunity score of 67.38. Massachusetts combines a median salary of $64,620 with 9,200 employed and an opportunity score of 65.87. New York offers 20,140 jobs, a median salary of $47,090, and an opportunity score of 65.78. Colorado and Washington show mid-range salaries of $49,900 and $50,830, with opportunity scores of 56.97 and 56.29, respectively. At the metro level, San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA stands out with an opportunity score of 77.42 and a median salary of $62,010. The New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ metro has the highest employment listed at 22,970 and a strong opportunity score of 77.27. Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH records the highest median pay at $65,190, while San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA and Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV also offer sizable employment and competitive salaries.
The typical education requirement for exercise trainers and group fitness instructors is a high school diploma or equivalent, making entry into the field accessible to many individuals. While formal education requirements are relatively modest, the skill profile for this occupation is broad and multifaceted. Physical strength and stamina underpin the physical side of the work, while interpersonal, customer service, speaking and listening, and leadership skills support effective interaction with clients and groups. Creativity and innovation can help in designing engaging fitness experiences, and adaptability is important for working with different people and settings. Science knowledge is also identified as a key skill, indicating the value of understanding relevant concepts in this domain. Additional skills such as mechanical and project management abilities further round out the profile. For those exploring alternatives with similar educational accessibility or skill overlap, related paths include personal care and service workers (all other), animal trainers, nursing assistants, physical therapist aides, and home health and personal care aides.
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