Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructor Salary in 2026
How Much Do Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors Make?
Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors earn a median annual salary of $46,180 as of 2026, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data. Wages span from $27,580 at the 10th percentile to $82,050 at the 90th percentile — a range of $54,470. The highest-paying state is Connecticut at $65,790.
| Percentile | Annual salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $27,580 |
| 25th percentile | $34,090 |
| Median (50th) | $46,180 |
| 75th percentile | $60,920 |
| 90th percentile | $82,050 |
Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructor Salary by State
Median annual salary across all 50 states. Click a column to sort.
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Connecticuttop | $65,790 |
| New Jersey | $60,620 |
| Massachusetts | $60,390 |
| California | $56,600 |
| New Hampshire | $51,340 |
| Vermont | $51,240 |
| Washington | $50,350 |
| Illinois | $50,290 |
| Oregon | $49,700 |
| Nevada | $49,530 |
| Colorado | $49,250 |
| Utah | $48,730 |
| New York | $47,780 |
| Hawaii | $47,570 |
| Arizona | $47,570 |
| Alaska | $47,020 |
| Delaware | $46,860 |
| Idaho | $45,850 |
| Michigan | $45,780 |
| New Mexico | $45,760 |
| District of Columbia | $45,340 |
| Maryland | $45,260 |
| Georgia | $45,210 |
| North Carolina | $45,080 |
| Minnesota | $44,140 |
| Kentucky | $44,120 |
| Rhode Island | $43,980 |
| Wisconsin | $42,490 |
| Maine | $42,110 |
| Pennsylvania | $42,010 |
| Tennessee | $42,010 |
| Texas | $39,980 |
| Arkansas | $39,920 |
| Virginia | $38,660 |
| Oklahoma | $38,530 |
| South Carolina | $38,170 |
| Montana | $38,020 |
| Wyoming | $37,990 |
| Florida | $37,420 |
| Alabama | $37,400 |
| West Virginia | $37,270 |
| North Dakota | $36,970 |
| South Dakota | $36,960 |
| Kansas | $36,560 |
| Mississippi | $36,280 |
| Iowa | $36,130 |
| Indiana | $33,520 |
| Louisiana | $33,520 |
| Ohio | $31,570 |
| Missouri | $31,320 |
| Nebraska | $30,540 |
Highest-Paying Metros for Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors
Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructor Salary by Experience
Estimated salary ranges derived from BLS wage percentiles. Entry level corresponds to P10–P25, mid-career to the median, experienced to P75, and senior to P90+.
| Experience level | Estimated salary |
|---|---|
| Entry level (0–2 yrs) | ~$27,580 – $34,090 |
| Mid career (3–7 yrs) | ~$46,180 |
| Experienced (8–15 yrs) | ~$60,920 |
| Senior (15+ yrs) | $82,050+ |
How to Earn More as an Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructor
Location is the single biggest salary lever: Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors in Kahului-Wailuku, HI earn $78,160 — $31,980 above the national median. Earning an additional certification or completing a bachelor's degree can push your salary from the median toward the 75th percentile. Reaching the 75th percentile ($60,920) typically requires 5–10 years of experience plus specialization in a high-demand area.
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Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructor Salary vs Similar Careers
| Career | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructorthis career | $46,180 |
| Training and Development Manager | $127,090 |
| Fitness and Wellness Coordinator | $61,340 |
| Training and Development Specialist | $65,850 |
| Health Education Specialist | $63,000 |
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SOC: 39-9031.00 · Data: BLS OEWS 2026, O*NET 29.1 · Salary figures are national medians unless otherwise noted.