Introduction to Personal Training Salaries
The yearly salary of a personal trainer will vary greatly depending on location, experience and any certifications that they have attained. In general, personal trainers typically earn between $30,000 and $60,000 per year. Highly experienced trainers who specialize in one particular area of fitness may even command salaries over $100,000.
Personal training isn’t an entry-level position with easily attainable wages. It takes dedication and hard work to become a successful trainer and those who do often need to obtain specialist qualification such as Advanced Personal Trainer or Strength & Conditioning coaches to maximise their earning potential. With additional qualifications and experience the top end of the pay scale can increase significantly.
The majority of personal trainers are self-employed or contracted out to gyms/fitness clubs which also affects salary depending on how much they charge for each session and how many sessions they take. Location is another factor that affects salaries with metropolitan areas having higher salaries than rural locations due to increased competition in larger areas. As well as salaried positions some more experienced trainers who own their own businesses may earn commissions based on the number of sales generated by their clientele rather than a fixed salary rate.
This career path offers great opportunities for long term positive job satisfaction, job security and career progression but it is ultimately up to the individual’s own hard work, motivation and skills sets which will determine what level of success is achieved both professionally and financially.
Factors that Affect Personal Trainer Salaries
Geographical Location: The geographical location you work in can greatly affect your salary. Generally, salaries tend to be higher in larger cities where more affluent clients can afford to pay a premium. On the other hand, salaries tend to be lower in rural areas as there may not be as strong of a demand for personal trainers.
Experience: Experience is another key factor in determining how much a personal trainer earns. For example, those with more years of experience may have the opportunity to charge a higher rate than newer trainers just starting out because they have established themselves with an existing client base or other resources that can help them benefit their services and increase their personal trainer salary.
Certifications: Certifications are especially important if you are looking to teach at facilities like gyms or health clubs. While certifications do not necessarily add value to the quality of your training, they do certify that you understand the necessary principles related to helping clients achieve their fitness goals. Achieving certain certifications can also make it easier for you to get certain jobs such as corporate wellness positions that can lead to higher salaries.
Clientele: What type of clients you train will also influence what you make in terms of salary. Trainers who focus on teaching larger classes at gyms or health clubs may not make as much as those who only take private clients, since private clients often require more time and one-on-one attention than larger classes demand.
Hours Worked: How many hours a personal trainer is willing and able to work will also affect their total yearly salary. Working longer hours often leads to taking on more clients which means being able to charge a higher rate per hour (depending on your expertise and coaching skills). However, it is important that you maintain some balance between working hours and rest time so you don’t become too overwhelmed or exhausted from working long days; take care of yourself first!
Salaries at Different Levels of Personal Trainers
Beginner Personal Trainers:
A beginner personal trainer can expect an average yearly salary of around $24,000. This is based on a 2-3 day per week employment schedule with a high school diploma as the only requirement necessary.
Intermediate Personal Trainers:
An intermediate personal trainer with certifications and some experience can expect a yearly salary of around $40,000 to $50,000. This includes certification in at least one type of personal training including NASM, ACE or other national level organizations.
Advanced Personal Trainers:
An advanced personal trainer will have multiple certifications and over 4-5 years of experience in the field behind them. They can easily expect a six figure salary with bonuses depending upon clients and/or locations where they work. Plus there are opportunities for hiring as independent contractors with special clients who need more specialized needs and services that are not offered by many other trainers in the market place. While it is difficult to state an exact range for advanced trainers, most should command well into the hundreds of thousands each year.
Average Personal Trainer Salaries by Region
Northeast: On average, personal trainers living in the Northeast region of the United States make a yearly salary of around $51,000.
Midwest: Personal trainers in the Midwest earn an average of $48,000 per year.
South: Those personal trainers residing in the South have an average salary of $45,000 annually.
West: Personal trainers located in the West make a yearly salary of approximately $54, 000 on average.
Average Personal Trainer Salaries by Experience and Certification
The average yearly salary of a personal trainer varies greatly depending on their experience and certifications. Entry-level trainers can expect to make around $30,000 to $40,000 per year. Trainers with some job experience and may obtain certifications such as the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) Certified Personal Trainer or the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) Certified Personal Trainer will typically earn higher salaries, ranging from $42,000 to $55,000 per year. Certified Specialists in Strength and Conditioning (CSCS) or Registered Dietitians (RD) will often raise the earning potential into the range of $53,000 to $81,000. Experienced trainers with additional qualifications such as Precision Nutrition are the highest earners make up to six figures annually.
Additionally, trainers working in larger cities or at elite gyms can usually create a higher base salary than those working in more rural areas. Additionally, most personal trainers offer private classes and/or packages that further increase their income potential by charging extra fees per session. Having specialized knowledge and training skills is key for starting as well as advancing a career in personal training – it allows individuals to cater their services specifically towards client interests while also commanding higher rates for their time and expertise. Finally, having exceptional communication skills is important for connecting with clients that help establish trust and build lasting relationships which leads to increased word-of-mouth referrals and building a successful business beyond just one’s salary alone.
How to Make More Money as a Personal Trainer
The yearly salary of a personal trainer can vary significantly, depending on the market they are located in and their experience. Generally speaking, personal trainers earn an average of between $25,000 – $45,000 a year according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Trainers in large cities or metro areas usually tend to make more than those living in smaller communities or rural areas.
In order to make more money as a personal trainer there are several strategies that should be employed. For starters it is important to focus on marketing and networking efforts that will help develop name recognition and secure referrals. Additionally, working out of desirable fitness locations or having access to exclusive client emails can also assist with increasing a personal trainer’s income due to higher profile clients.
Another way for trainers to make more money is by offering specialty services such as private training sessions or small group classes which bring a higher rate per hour than one-on-one instruction. Offering online training sessions for clients who are unable to travel can also be lucrative for some trainers, especially when these services are marketed correctly. Lastly, continuing education initiatives can help trainers stay ahead of trends and become even more valuable as service providers therefore boosting their earning potential overall.
Conclusion
This blog post provided information to better educate readers on the range of salaries that personal trainers can make a year. Generally, personal trainers make between $22,500 and $82,500 a year depending on their experience level, qualifications and client base. Individual factors such as geographic location, additional services offered and style of training all affect the salary that a personal trainer will receive. This post has helped readers gain an understanding of all the elements that go into determining how much income a personal trainer can generate in a given year.
Passionate about providing useful information to anyone with an interest in the field of Personal Training, I strive to pass on to our readers quality information and to answer any questions about Personal Trainers, the work they do and how to become one.
