Becoming a Fitness Trainer via Online Education?
At the very least, online education can help you lay a foundation and/or open up alternate career paths.
Penn Foster Career School, one of the highest ranking online
schools,
is a US school (accredited) offering fitness courses to train individuals
to become top-notch
fitness professionals,
sports trainers,
fitness trainers,
fitness instructors,
group fitness instructors,
fitness coordinators, etc.
Currently, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics there are 228,170 people employed as
fitness trainers and aerobics instructors alone in America, and their average annual salary is
$35,340.
Training and development specialists make on average $55,310
per year and there are about 205,020
of them employed today.
Colleges and universities like Penn Foster Career School that provide online education are successfully launching workers into
this
field.
Typical Work Locations for a Fitness Trainer
- cruise ship
- nutritionist's office
- gym
- private school
- private club
- holistic health center
- hospital
- sport's medicine center
- rehabilitation center
- client's home
Potential Advantages and Benefits of Working as a Fitness Trainer
- great career opportunity
- careers available at all gyms
- personal training jobs lead to health club management
- make fitness a way of life for everyone
- inspire positive change
- accomplish your goals
- motivate others to meet their fitness goals
- earn a lot
- teaching fitness exercise to people makes a healthy world
- work flexible hours
Potential Drawbacks
- dealing with extremly obese clients
- dealing with lazy clients
- dealing with medical emergencies while the client is exercising
- constantly exercising
- explaining the same routine to several clients
- dealing with people who want to use illegal steroids for more performance
- dealing with clients who are stronger and agressive
- using heavy equipment
- tied down to a specific gym
- have to change your schedule for your clients schedule
Related Professions to Consider
- Weight Trainer
- Aerobics Instructor
- Coach
- Dietitian
- Nutritionist
- Dietitians and nutritionists
Physical Therapist
- Recreation Worker
- Yoga Instructor
- Group Exercise Instructor
- Personal Trainer
Possible Interview Questions When Applying to be a Fitness Trainer
- What certifications do you hold?
- What are your short term and long term goals?
- Do you have a degree What is it in?
- Why did you choose this field?
- Can you lead a fitness class?
- What are the four elements that all Incident Action Plans must have?
- How would you lead a spin class?
- Can you lead a yoga class?
- What is cross-fit and why does it matter?
- What is your opinion of supplements?
Common Collaborating Professions
- Physician
- Dietician
- Nurse
- Physical Trainer
- Fitness Instructor
- Fitness Specialist
- Lifestyle Consultant
- Weight Management Consultant
- Counselor
- Public Relation Officer
Fitness Trainer Training books
Fitness Trainer (More) Popular books
Potential Companies to Work For
Common College Majors
- health promotion
- health services
- healthcare administration
- healthcare management
- life care planning
- long term care
- medical informatics
- nursing
- nutrition food science
- occupational therapy
Fitness Trainer Salary Information
Category: Training and development specialists
| Total # Employed in the US |
205,020 |
| Average Hourly Wage: |
$26.59/hr |
| Hourly Wage Range |
| PERCENTILE |
| 10% | 25% | 50% | 75% | 90% |
| $14.48 |
$18.89 |
$25.06 |
$32.84 |
$41.28 |
|
| Average Yearly Salary |
$55,310 |
| Yearly Salary Range |
| PERCENTILE |
| 10% | 25% | 50% | 75% | 90% |
| $30,120 |
$39,280 |
$52,120 |
$68,300 |
$85,860 |
|
| Employment Demographics |
| % OF WORKERS WITH |
| < High School Diploma |
High School Diploma |
Some College |
Associate Degree |
Bachelor Degree |
Master Degree |
Doctoral Degree |
| 1.6% |
13.7% |
22.9% |
9.2% |
37.7% |
13.2% |
1.8% |
|
Training and development specialists — WAGES BY STATE, SORTED BY SALARY
| STATE | Average Hourly Wage | Average Annual Salary |
|---|
| Florida |
$33.03/hr
|
$68,710
|
| North Dakota |
$32.01/hr
|
$66,570
|
| Colorado |
$31.33/hr
|
$65,170
|
| Oklahoma |
$30.19/hr
|
$62,790
|
| Delaware |
$29.83/hr
|
$62,050
|
| Missouri |
$29.7/hr
|
$61,770
|
| District of Columbia |
$29.46/hr
|
$61,270
|
| Mississippi |
$28.82/hr
|
$59,940
|
| Alaska |
$28.1/hr
|
$58,440
|
| Virginia |
$27.84/hr
|
$57,900
|
| Nebraska |
$27.7/hr
|
$57,620
|
| Idaho |
$26.89/hr
|
$55,920
|
| Connecticut |
$26.83/hr
|
$55,810
|
| Oregon |
$26.56/hr
|
$55,250
|
| Kansas |
$26.53/hr
|
$55,170
|
| Montana |
$26.41/hr
|
$54,930
|
| Tennessee |
$26.19/hr
|
$54,470
|
| Arkansas |
$25.8/hr
|
$53,660
|
| Ohio |
$25.8/hr
|
$53,650
|
| South Carolina |
$25.71/hr
|
$53,480
|
| Wyoming |
$25.27/hr
|
$52,560
|
| Washington |
$25.02/hr
|
$52,050
|
| Hawaii |
$24.99/hr
|
$51,970
|
| Utah |
$24.83/hr
|
$51,640
|
| Indiana |
$24.65/hr
|
$51,280
|
| Kentucky |
$24.16/hr
|
$50,260
|
| Puerto Rico |
$24.11/hr
|
$50,150
|
| Maine |
$24/hr
|
$49,910
|
| Michigan |
$23.96/hr
|
$49,830
|
| New Hampshire |
$23.84/hr
|
$49,590
|
| North Carolina |
$23.77/hr
|
$49,450
|
| New Mexico |
$23.56/hr
|
$49,010
|
| Wisconsin |
$23.53/hr
|
$48,940
|
| Iowa |
$23.3/hr
|
$48,470
|
| Alabama |
$23.16/hr
|
$48,180
|
| New York |
$23.11/hr
|
$48,080
|
| Pennsylvania |
$23.03/hr
|
$47,890
|
| Maryland |
$22.8/hr
|
$47,430
|
| Louisiana |
$22.61/hr
|
$47,040
|
| Guam |
$22.47/hr
|
$46,730
|
| Massachusetts |
$21.77/hr
|
$45,290
|
| South Dakota |
$20.19/hr
|
$42,000
|
| California |
$20.09/hr
|
$41,780
|
| Nevada |
$19.98/hr
|
$41,560
|
| New Jersey |
$19.83/hr
|
$41,240
|
| West Virginia |
$18.99/hr
|
$39,510
|
Category: Recreation and fitness studies teachers, postsecondary
| Total # Employed in the US |
16,850 |
| Average Yearly Salary |
$60,580 |
| Yearly Salary Range |
| PERCENTILE |
| 10% | 25% | 50% | 75% | 90% |
| $28,960 |
$40,020 |
$55,370 |
$76,650 |
$101,350 |
|
| Employment Demographics |
| % OF WORKERS WITH |
| < High School Diploma |
High School Diploma |
Some College |
Associate Degree |
Bachelor Degree |
Master Degree |
Doctoral Degree |
| 0.2% |
0.7% |
2.7% |
2.3% |
15.3% |
34.6% |
44.2% |
|
Recreation and fitness studies teachers, postsecondary — WAGES BY STATE, SORTED BY SALARY
| STATE | Average Hourly Wage | Average Annual Salary |
|---|
| Alabama |
-
|
$56,500
|
| Arkansas |
-
|
$32,800
|
| California |
-
|
$49,790
|
| Colorado |
-
|
$88,580
|
| Connecticut |
-
|
$47,540
|
| Delaware |
-
|
$67,640
|
| Florida |
-
|
$59,110
|
| Hawaii |
-
|
$55,730
|
| Idaho |
-
|
$53,550
|
| Kansas |
-
|
$47,730
|
| Kentucky |
-
|
$55,770
|
| Louisiana |
-
|
$63,560
|
| Maine |
-
|
$48,550
|
| Maryland |
-
|
$54,860
|
| Massachusetts |
-
|
$51,260
|
| Michigan |
-
|
$54,580
|
| Mississippi |
-
|
$64,840
|
| Missouri |
-
|
$59,700
|
| Montana |
-
|
$68,960
|
| Nebraska |
-
|
$55,170
|
| Nevada |
-
|
$49,560
|
| New Hampshire |
-
|
$47,510
|
| New Jersey |
-
|
$47,380
|
| New Mexico |
-
|
$48,060
|
| North Carolina |
-
|
$74,040
|
| North Dakota |
-
|
$58,980
|
| Ohio |
-
|
$50,780
|
| Oklahoma |
-
|
$62,900
|
| Oregon |
-
|
$55,470
|
| Pennsylvania |
-
|
$51,490
|
| South Carolina |
-
|
$52,670
|
| Tennessee |
-
|
$77,400
|
| Utah |
-
|
$66,670
|
| Washington |
-
|
$57,540
|
| West Virginia |
-
|
$55,600
|
| Wisconsin |
-
|
$42,250
|
| Wyoming |
-
|
$54,670
|
| Guam |
-
|
$62,600
|
| Puerto Rico |
-
|
$50,370
|
Category: Athletic trainers
| Total # Employed in the US |
15,260 |
| Average Yearly Salary |
$44,020 |
| Yearly Salary Range |
| PERCENTILE |
| 10% | 25% | 50% | 75% | 90% |
| $25,510 |
$33,810 |
$41,340 |
$51,310 |
$65,140 |
|
| Employment Demographics |
| % OF WORKERS WITH |
| < High School Diploma |
High School Diploma |
Some College |
Associate Degree |
Bachelor Degree |
Master Degree |
Doctoral Degree |
| 1.1% |
11.9% |
16.7% |
8.4% |
39.1% |
20.7% |
2.1% |
|
Athletic trainers — WAGES BY STATE, SORTED BY SALARY
| STATE | Average Hourly Wage | Average Annual Salary |
|---|
| Alabama |
-
|
$39,920
|
| Arkansas |
-
|
$39,140
|
| California |
-
|
$42,480
|
| Colorado |
-
|
$46,650
|
| Connecticut |
-
|
$41,550
|
| Delaware |
-
|
$62,590
|
| Florida |
-
|
$72,910
|
| Hawaii |
-
|
$45,970
|
| Idaho |
-
|
$41,750
|
| Indiana |
-
|
$46,360
|
| Iowa |
-
|
$43,890
|
| Kansas |
-
|
$46,820
|
| Kentucky |
-
|
$43,600
|
| Louisiana |
-
|
$37,880
|
| Maine |
-
|
$41,670
|
| Maryland |
-
|
$37,840
|
| Massachusetts |
-
|
$29,720
|
| Michigan |
-
|
$46,140
|
| Mississippi |
-
|
$45,310
|
| Missouri |
-
|
$49,070
|
| Montana |
-
|
$44,580
|
| Nebraska |
-
|
$44,130
|
| Nevada |
-
|
$39,790
|
| New Hampshire |
-
|
$43,430
|
| New Jersey |
-
|
$30,740
|
| New Mexico |
-
|
$39,460
|
| New York |
-
|
$49,900
|
| North Carolina |
-
|
$47,730
|
| North Dakota |
-
|
$52,000
|
| Ohio |
-
|
$28,450
|
| Oklahoma |
-
|
$47,600
|
| Oregon |
-
|
$40,290
|
| Pennsylvania |
-
|
$37,900
|
| South Carolina |
-
|
$42,860
|
| South Dakota |
-
|
$36,380
|
| Tennessee |
-
|
$50,420
|
| Utah |
-
|
$38,330
|
| Virginia |
-
|
$50,510
|
| Washington |
-
|
$38,630
|
| West Virginia |
-
|
$35,870
|
| Wisconsin |
-
|
$45,410
|
| Wyoming |
-
|
$45,870
|
| Guam |
-
|
$58,920
|
| Puerto Rico |
-
|
$43,230
|
Category: Fitness trainers and aerobics instructors
| Total # Employed in the US |
228,170 |
| Average Hourly Wage: |
$16.99/hr |
| Hourly Wage Range |
| PERCENTILE |
| 10% | 25% | 50% | 75% | 90% |
| $7.9 |
$9.55 |
$14.74 |
$21.98 |
$29.86 |
|
| Average Yearly Salary |
$35,340 |
| Yearly Salary Range |
| PERCENTILE |
| 10% | 25% | 50% | 75% | 90% |
| $16,430 |
$19,860 |
$30,670 |
$45,720 |
$62,120 |
|
| Employment Demographics |
| % OF WORKERS WITH |
| < High School Diploma |
High School Diploma |
Some College |
Associate Degree |
Bachelor Degree |
Master Degree |
Doctoral Degree |
| 3.5% |
20.1% |
25.1% |
9.7% |
32.5% |
8.0% |
1.1% |
|
Fitness trainers and aerobics instructors — WAGES BY STATE, SORTED BY SALARY
| STATE | Average Hourly Wage | Average Annual Salary |
|---|
| Oklahoma |
$23.48/hr
|
$48,830
|
| Florida |
$21.91/hr
|
$45,570
|
| Missouri |
$21.84/hr
|
$45,430
|
| North Dakota |
$20.38/hr
|
$42,400
|
| Colorado |
$19.7/hr
|
$40,980
|
| Delaware |
$19.51/hr
|
$40,570
|
| Guam |
$18.88/hr
|
$39,270
|
| Tennessee |
$18.81/hr
|
$39,130
|
| Connecticut |
$18.5/hr
|
$38,470
|
| New York |
$17.88/hr
|
$37,190
|
| Idaho |
$17.58/hr
|
$36,570
|
| Mississippi |
$17.55/hr
|
$36,510
|
| Kansas |
$17.32/hr
|
$36,020
|
| Wyoming |
$16.85/hr
|
$35,050
|
| Arkansas |
$16.77/hr
|
$34,880
|
| Hawaii |
$16.28/hr
|
$33,870
|
| Alaska |
$16.04/hr
|
$33,360
|
| Indiana |
$15.48/hr
|
$32,200
|
| Ohio |
$15.41/hr
|
$32,060
|
| Alabama |
$15.17/hr
|
$31,560
|
| Washington |
$14.94/hr
|
$31,070
|
| Puerto Rico |
$14.91/hr
|
$31,000
|
| Oregon |
$14.84/hr
|
$30,860
|
| North Carolina |
$14.74/hr
|
$30,660
|
| Kentucky |
$14.2/hr
|
$29,530
|
| New Mexico |
$14.2/hr
|
$29,540
|
| Virginia |
$14.19/hr
|
$29,510
|
| Nevada |
$13.93/hr
|
$28,970
|
| Maine |
$13.9/hr
|
$28,900
|
| South Dakota |
$13.86/hr
|
$28,830
|
| Michigan |
$13.82/hr
|
$28,730
|
| New Jersey |
$13.49/hr
|
$28,070
|
| California |
$13.44/hr
|
$27,950
|
| Maryland |
$13.43/hr
|
$27,930
|
| Montana |
$13.28/hr
|
$27,630
|
| Utah |
$13.22/hr
|
$27,490
|
| Iowa |
$13.14/hr
|
$27,330
|
| Nebraska |
$13.05/hr
|
$27,140
|
| District of Columbia |
$13.05/hr
|
$27,150
|
| South Carolina |
$12.7/hr
|
$26,420
|
| Massachusetts |
$12.69/hr
|
$26,400
|
| New Hampshire |
$12.55/hr
|
$26,110
|
| Wisconsin |
$12.3/hr
|
$25,590
|
| Louisiana |
$11.9/hr
|
$24,750
|
| West Virginia |
$11.04/hr
|
$22,970
|
| Pennsylvania |
$10.36/hr
|
$21,560
|
Category: Recreation workers
| Total # Employed in the US |
286,230 |
| Average Hourly Wage: |
$12.04/hr |
| Hourly Wage Range |
| PERCENTILE |
| 10% | 25% | 50% | 75% | 90% |
| $7.73 |
$8.72 |
$10.71 |
$13.97 |
$18.35 |
|
| Average Yearly Salary |
$25,040 |
| Yearly Salary Range |
| PERCENTILE |
| 10% | 25% | 50% | 75% | 90% |
| $16,070 |
$18,130 |
$22,280 |
$29,060 |
$38,170 |
|
| Employment Demographics |
| % OF WORKERS WITH |
| < High School Diploma |
High School Diploma |
Some College |
Associate Degree |
Bachelor Degree |
Master Degree |
Doctoral Degree |
| 3.5% |
20.1% |
25.1% |
9.7% |
32.5% |
8.0% |
1.1% |
|
Recreation workers — WAGES BY STATE, SORTED BY SALARY
| STATE | Average Hourly Wage | Average Annual Salary |
|---|
| Florida |
$17.68/hr
|
$36,760
|
| Indiana |
$15.77/hr
|
$32,800
|
| Alaska |
$15.28/hr
|
$31,790
|
| Delaware |
$14.45/hr
|
$30,050
|
| Missouri |
$13.67/hr
|
$28,440
|
| Puerto Rico |
$13.61/hr
|
$28,310
|
| Iowa |
$13.5/hr
|
$28,080
|
| Tennessee |
$13.21/hr
|
$27,470
|
| Connecticut |
$12.93/hr
|
$26,890
|
| Oklahoma |
$12.85/hr
|
$26,730
|
| Arkansas |
$12.67/hr
|
$26,350
|
| North Carolina |
$12.58/hr
|
$26,160
|
| Mississippi |
$12.52/hr
|
$26,050
|
| Colorado |
$12.39/hr
|
$25,770
|
| Utah |
$12.39/hr
|
$25,760
|
| Michigan |
$12.37/hr
|
$25,730
|
| Idaho |
$12.14/hr
|
$25,260
|
| Nebraska |
$12.12/hr
|
$25,200
|
| District of Columbia |
$12.11/hr
|
$25,190
|
| West Virginia |
$12.11/hr
|
$25,190
|
| Oregon |
$12.06/hr
|
$25,080
|
| Guam |
$11.9/hr
|
$24,740
|
| North Dakota |
$11.89/hr
|
$24,740
|
| New York |
$11.86/hr
|
$24,660
|
| Maryland |
$11.76/hr
|
$24,460
|
| Ohio |
$11.75/hr
|
$24,430
|
| New Jersey |
$11.74/hr
|
$24,420
|
| Kentucky |
$11.72/hr
|
$24,370
|
| Virginia |
$11.71/hr
|
$24,360
|
| Hawaii |
$11.58/hr
|
$24,080
|
| Kansas |
$11.52/hr
|
$23,960
|
| Maine |
$11.43/hr
|
$23,780
|
| Montana |
$11.36/hr
|
$23,620
|
| Wisconsin |
$11.32/hr
|
$23,550
|
| Nevada |
$11.17/hr
|
$23,230
|
| Washington |
$11.1/hr
|
$23,080
|
| South Carolina |
$11.05/hr
|
$22,970
|
| Alabama |
$11.01/hr
|
$22,910
|
| Massachusetts |
$10.98/hr
|
$22,840
|
| Louisiana |
$10.89/hr
|
$22,660
|
| Pennsylvania |
$10.84/hr
|
$22,550
|
| New Hampshire |
$10.76/hr
|
$22,370
|
| Wyoming |
$10.67/hr
|
$22,200
|
| New Mexico |
$10.51/hr
|
$21,860
|
| California |
$10.4/hr
|
$21,640
|
| South Dakota |
$10.18/hr
|
$21,180
|
