Instruct or coach groups or individuals in exercise activities for the primary purpose of personal fitness. Demonstrate techniques and form, observe participants, and explain to them corrective measures necessary to improve their skills. Develop and implement individualized approaches to exercise. Excludes “Educational Instruction and Library Occupations” (25-0000), “Coaches and Scouts” (27-2022), and “Athletic Trainers” (29-9091).
National median · BLS
$47,160
▲ +2.12%YoY
H-1B sponsor median
—
Too few H-1B filings
Average salary · BLS
$52,420
Mean annual wage
U.S. employment
322,930
Jobs (BLS)
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Enter your pay and a location to see where you stand against BLS and H-1B pay, your estimated take-home pay, and your purchasing power.
Pay range for Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors
Annual base pay at each percentile. BLS covers all U.S. workers in this occupation.
Percentile
All U.S. workers (BLS)
10th — entry pay
$28,800
25th
$35,280
Median (50th)
$47,160
75th
$61,730
90th — top pay
$83,100
Hourly ⇄ annual pay
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Monthly—
Every 2 weeks—
Weekly—
Daily—
Based on
hrs/week ×
weeks/year
= 2,080 hrs
Projections 2025–2035
Job outlook for Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors
BLS projects employment of exercise trainers and group fitness instructors to grow 7.3% from 2025 to 2035, faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations.
About 68,000 openings are projected each year, on average, from new jobs and from replacing workers who retire or move to other occupations.
Jobs 2025 → 2035
388,400 → 416,900
+28,500 jobs
Projected change
+7.3%
All occupations: +3.5%
Openings per year
68,000
Average, 2025–2035
Typical entry education
High school diploma or equivalent
No related experience required
On-the-job training
Short-term on-the-job training
Self-employed
14.8% of workers (2025)
Preparation needed (O*NET Job Zone 3)
Medium Preparation Needed. Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors salaries by state
BLS state medians, plus the same figure adjusted for local prices (BEA Regional Price Parities). Tap a state for its full range and H-1B pay.
State
Median
Jobs
Cost-adjusted
Profile
Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors salaries by metro area
Search by city, ZIP code or metro name. Tap a metro for its full range.
Metro area
Median
Jobs
Cost-adjusted
Profile
Skills & tools
Skills needed for Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors
How important each skill and knowledge area is for this job, rated by O*NET on a 1–5 scale from surveys of workers and occupational analysts.
Top skills
Instructing4.0
Service Orientation3.8
Speaking3.6
Active Listening3.3
Learning Strategies3.1
Social Perceptiveness3.1
Active Learning3.0
Coordination3.0
Critical Thinking3.0
Judgment and Decision Making3.0
Top knowledge areas
Customer and Personal Service4.3
Education and Training3.8
English Language3.7
Psychology3.6
Biology2.9
Administration and Management2.8
Sales and Marketing2.8
Communications and Media2.7
Software and technology used
Intuit QuickBooksMicrosoft ExcelMicrosoft Office softwareMicrosoft OutlookMicrosoft PowerPointMicrosoft WordAppointment scheduling softwareBioEx Systems Exercise ExpertBioEx Systems Fitness MakerBioEx Systems Nutrition Maker PlusBlinkDaySmart Software Appointment-PlusDietMaster Systems DietMasterEmail softwareEZFacility Trainer Management SystemICTrainingMYOB BusinessEssentialsOnline River Software Personal Trainer Pro
Highlighted = in demand: frequently listed in employer job postings for this occupation (O*NET).
Source: 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.
About the job
What exercise trainers and group fitness instructors do
Observe participants and inform them of corrective measures necessary for skill improvement.
Offer alternatives during classes to accommodate different levels of fitness.
Monitor participants' progress and adapt programs as needed.
Plan routines, choose appropriate music, and choose different movements for each set of muscles, depending on participants' capabilities and limitations.
Evaluate individuals' abilities, needs, and physical conditions, and develop suitable training programs to meet any special requirements.
Instruct participants in maintaining exertion levels to maximize benefits from exercise routines.
Teach and demonstrate use of gymnastic and training equipment, such as trampolines and weights.
Explain and enforce safety rules and regulations governing sports, recreational activities, and the use of exercise equipment.
Source: O*NET 31.0 (USDOL/ETA, CC BY 4.0). These are general job titles, not H-1B filings; for titles employers actually filed, see “Job titles” above.
Similar jobs and how they pay
Occupations O*NET lists as closely related to Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors, with BLS national medians compared with this occupation's $47,160.
