Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors Career, Salary and Skills
Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors have a BLS-reported national median annual wage of $47,160 based on the 2025 OEWS dataset, with reported national employment of 322,930. Wage data is published for 404 locations.
Occupation description
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.
O*NET code
39-9031.00
Job zone
3
Typical education
Post-Secondary Certificate
Experience
Over 1 year, up to and including 2 years
National salary and employment
Median annual
$47,160
Hourly median
$22.67
Employment
322,930
Data year
2025
National salary distribution
Top skills
| Skill | Importance | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Instructing | 4.00 | 3.75 |
| Service Orientation | 3.75 | 3.25 |
| Speaking | 3.62 | 3.00 |
| Active Listening | 3.25 | 3.00 |
| Social Perceptiveness | 3.12 | 3.00 |
| Learning Strategies | 3.12 | 3.62 |
| Critical Thinking | 3.00 | 3.00 |
| Reading Comprehension | 3.00 | 3.12 |
| Monitoring | 3.00 | 3.62 |
| Active Learning | 3.00 | 3.00 |
Typical tasks
- 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.
- Observe participants and inform them of corrective measures necessary for skill improvement.
Technology
- Appointment scheduling software
- BioEx Systems Exercise Expert
- BioEx Systems Fitness Maker
- BioEx Systems Nutrition Maker Plus
- Blink
- DaySmart Software Appointment-Plus
- DietMaster Systems DietMaster
- Email software
- EZFacility Trainer Management System
- ICTraining
- Intuit QuickBooks
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office software
- Microsoft Outlook
Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors salary by location
Areas with the highest reported employment for this occupation.
- Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors Salary in CAMedian $57,990 · Employment 43,600
- Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors Salary in New York, NYMedian $53,580 · Employment 22,970
- Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors Salary in NYMedian $47,090 · Employment 20,140
- Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors Salary in ILMedian $46,800 · Employment 19,830
- Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors Salary in TXMedian $40,880 · Employment 19,260
- Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors Salary in FLMedian $38,800 · Employment 18,070
- Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors Salary in Los Angeles, CAMedian $57,630 · Employment 16,350
- Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors Salary in Chicago, ILMedian $47,680 · Employment 16,350
- Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors Salary in VAMedian $40,820 · Employment 12,100
- Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors Salary in PAMedian $45,250 · Employment 11,580
- Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors Salary in NJMedian $59,870 · Employment 11,350
- Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors Salary in NCMedian $46,450 · Employment 10,670
Related careers
- Animal TrainersNational median $39,990
- Physical TherapistsNational median $102,760
- Occupational TherapistsNational median $100,330
- Dietitians and NutritionistsNational median $76,400
- Training and Development ManagersNational median $133,000
- Adapted Physical Education SpecialistsNational median $76,580
- Health Education SpecialistsNational median $64,070
- Recreation and Fitness Studies Teachers, PostsecondaryNational median $77,270
Career and skills data: O*NET 31.0 (onetcenter.org). Salary and employment data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS, 2025 (bls.gov/oes). Figures are published survey estimates, not real-time market data.