Can You Make a Good Living as a Personal Trainer? Yes, But…

If you want a rewarding career, personal training delivers. There’s something incredibly satisfying about helping clients achieve their fitness goals. That’s in addition to seeing firsthand the health benefits they receive by boosting their physical activity. When your client no longer requires blood pressure or diabetes medication, your life’s purpose can feel complete.

But you also have to be realistic. If your personal trainer salary isn’t high enough, you can’t stay in this position for long. You have bills to pay and, in some cases, a family to support. You may also want to save for retirement, help your kids through college, and more.

This can lead you to wonder whether you can make a good living as a personal trainer. To answer this question, let’s first look at what it means to be a personal trainer and what the average fitness trainer makes.

Overview of a Personal Training Career

A career in personal training involves more than just working out with clients—it's about guiding individuals toward their fitness goals, helping them lead healthier lives, and making a tangible difference in their well-being. Personal trainers typically work with clients one-on-one or in small groups, creating customized workout plans that are tailored to each person’s needs, fitness level, and goals.

As a personal trainer, your role extends beyond just teaching exercises; you’ll also provide motivation, education on proper form, and advice on nutrition and lifestyle changes to ensure clients achieve long-lasting results. Whether you’re helping someone lose weight, build strength, or recover from an injury, your work can have a profound impact on your clients' lives.

Personal trainers have the flexibility to work in a variety of settings, including gyms, fitness centers, health clubs, or even in the comfort of clients' homes. Many personal trainers also branch out into online coaching, offering virtual training sessions that allow them to work with clients from anywhere in the world.

This career isn’t confined to just one path. As a personal trainer, you can also diversify your services and specialize in different areas such as weight loss, strength training, post-rehabilitation training, or even sports-specific coaching. This variety allows you to tailor your career to your interests and strengths while continuously challenging yourself to grow.

The best part? The demand for personal trainers continues to rise, especially as more people prioritize their health and fitness. In fact, the fitness industry is booming, making personal training an exciting and rewarding career option.

Median Personal Trainer Salary

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that the median pay for a fitness trainer or instructor is $46,480 per year. For comparison purposes, the median pay for all occupations combined is $45,760 annually. So, personal training provides an income that is closely aligned with this amount.

On a bit of a side note, the BLS adds that jobs in this role are expected to grow “much faster than average.” Specifically, it anticipates a growth rate of 19% between 2021 and 2031. If this holds true, this equates to 57,800 new fitness training jobs over the next several years.

7 Factors That Can Impact Your Personal Training Income

It’s important to remember that the data provided by the BLS is a median. This means that one-half of trainers make less while the other half make more. In fact, the top 10% of trainers make at least $75,940 annually.

What accounts for such a large range in personal trainer salary? Here are seven factors to consider.

#1: Whether You Work for a Fitness Facility or Have a Personal Training Business

Your pay can differ based on where you work. Options can include a commercial gym, health club, or another fitness facility. BLS data indicates that a personal trainer working in a fitness sports rec facility tends to make the most. A trainer working for a civic or social organization often has a lower income. And the difference between the two can be as much as $10,000 per year. Why?

When working for a gym or recreational center, your wages are paid via gym membership dues. The more the gym charges for these dues, the more they can afford to pay their training instructors. Civic organizations typically charge less for the use of their facilities. Or they offer them free to certain populations. Thus, their trainers earn less as a result.

If you work as a fitness manager, you will likely earn more. You can also earn more if you own a personal training business. As an independent trainer, you set your own rates. Plus, you don’t just get a portion of a member’s dues. Instead, you receive the full amount charged for the training session.

Admittedly, you may have more costs as an independent trainer. This is especially true if you provide your own equipment. But as a business owner, you also have more control over these expenses. You don’t have to buy top-of-the-line equipment to provide a good workout.

#2: If You Provide Training in Person, Are an Online Personal Trainer, Or Both

When providing services as an in-person trainer, you are limited by geography. Yet, an online trainer can have clients all around the world. The more clients you can train, the higher your income potential.

Online personal training does require a slightly different skillset. You must be able to get people into proper form virtually. Your online fitness assessments will vary as well.

If you’re considering offering online training services, start with one or two. See how you feel. This can help you decide whether you want to provide training online, either part or full-time.

#3: How Long You’ve Been Working as a Fitness Professional

An experienced trainer typically commands higher rates than someone new to the field. This doesn’t mean that you can’t make a good income as a new personal trainer. You can. Though, you can also expect your salary potential to increase as you gain more experience.

#4: Your Level of Education

If you have advanced education or training in certain areas of fitness, you may also be able to charge higher rates. One example is an exercise science degree. Or perhaps you’re a trained exercise physiologist. Some clients are willing to pay more for these types of degrees.

Remember that education extends beyond the classroom. Maybe you studied under a well-known yoga practitioner, for instance. This could increase your value as a yoga instructor. As a result, you may be able to charge more for your training sessions.

#5: If You Offer Services as a Private Personal Trainer or Train Groups

Another factor that can impact your salary is if you train individuals or groups. One isn’t necessarily better than the other as each has its benefits. If you provide one-on-one training services, for instance, you can charge a higher rate. Yet, training more people at one time enables you to charge less and earn more—especially for larger groups.

#6: Additional Services Offered as Part of Your Training Program

If you offer additional services as a personal trainer, you can earn more as well. Maybe you create a meal plan for clients in addition to providing an intense workout. Or you supply the equipment clients need to participate in your boot camp. Charging for these additions raises your income potential.

Clients are generally willing to pay more for a trainer who can address more of their fitness obstacles. Whether this involves offering advice in areas beyond exercise or providing the needed equipment is up to you. But adding these options to your training packages can ultimately raise your personal training salary.

#7: Your Clientele

Become a celebrity trainer and you can earn a great living providing fitness instruction. If your goal is to achieve numbers like this, becoming a celebrity trainer is the way to go. Granted, this option may be greater if you train in areas where celebrities abound, such as near Los Angeles. However, if you become known for your ability to provide results, they may just come to you!

Job Outlook for Personal Trainers

The job outlook for personal trainers is generally very positive, especially as health and fitness trends continue to grow globally. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employment for fitness trainers and instructors is expected to grow by 14% from 2023 to 2033, which is much faster than the average for all occupations. This growth is driven by the increasing number of people who are seeking professional guidance to improve their health, fitness, and well-being. (1)

As more people focus on wellness and disease prevention, personal training has become a popular choice. The rising interest in fitness programs, especially among older adults who want to maintain a healthy lifestyle, has led to an expanding demand for certified personal trainers. Additionally, many people are turning to personal trainers for specialized help, such as weight loss, sports performance, or rehabilitation after injuries, further fueling job growth in niche areas.

Technology is also contributing to the demand for personal trainers. With the rise of virtual training platforms, personal trainers can now reach clients from all over the world, expanding their client base beyond their local area. Whether it’s through one-on-one virtual sessions, group fitness classes, or pre-recorded workout programs, the ability to train clients remotely is a growing trend in the industry.

For those willing to adapt to the evolving fitness landscape, the job outlook remains promising, offering a range of career opportunities and pathways for growth.

What Does It Take to Become a Certified Personal Trainer?

Becoming a personal trainer requires a mix of education, certifications, and personal qualities that make you effective in helping clients achieve their fitness goals. While a passion for health and fitness is a great start, there are several key steps you’ll need to take to build a successful career in this field.

Education & Certification Requirements

One of the first steps toward becoming a personal trainer is obtaining the right education and certification. While a formal degree in exercise science or a related field can be beneficial, it is not always required. Instead, many personal trainers begin their careers by completing a nationally recognized personal trainer certification program.

Certification programs, such as those offered by the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM), the American Council on Exercise (ACE), or the International Sports Sciences Association (ISSA), equip you with the knowledge and skills needed to safely and effectively train clients. These certifications cover topics such as human anatomy, exercise physiology, nutrition, injury prevention, and client communication.

Most programs require you to pass an exam and may include a practical component, where you demonstrate your ability to design and execute fitness programs. Additionally, personal trainers must often renew their certifications every 2-4 years by completing continuing education courses to stay up-to-date with the latest industry trends and research.

Skills Required to Succeed

In addition to the technical knowledge gained through certification, being a successful personal trainer requires a variety of soft skills. Communication is key—being able to explain complex exercises and concepts in a simple and encouraging way is crucial to your clients’ success.

Motivational skills are also important. Personal training isn’t just about providing workout routines—it’s about inspiring and encouraging clients to push past their limits. The ability to empathize with clients and understand their challenges will help you build strong relationships and foster a supportive, motivating environment.

Finally, a solid understanding of nutrition and overall wellness can set you apart from other trainers. While you’re not expected to be a nutritionist, offering basic advice about healthy eating or referring clients to a nutrition expert can complement their fitness journey.

Experience and Training

While formal education and certification are essential, hands-on experience is equally valuable. Many personal trainers start by working in a gym or health club setting, where they can learn from more experienced trainers and gain practical, real-world experience. Shadowing experienced trainers, attending workshops, or even offering pro bono training to friends or family members can be great ways to get started.

As you build your reputation and clientele, you may choose to specialize in specific areas, such as strength training, weight loss, or sports performance. Specialized certifications, such as those in strength and conditioning or corrective exercise, can help you stand out and attract clients looking for more targeted expertise.

In today’s digital age, many personal trainers also opt to expand their reach by offering online training services. Whether you're providing virtual one-on-one sessions or creating workout programs for clients to follow at their own pace, online training is a growing segment of the fitness industry.

So…Can You Make a Good Living as a Personal Trainer?

Put all of this together and you can definitely earn a good living as a personal trainer. And your salary potential can increase based on a variety of factors. These include your level of education and experience. However, providing training online and offering additional services helps raise your income as well.

Finally, certified personal trainers often make more than professionals who lack certification. If you don’t yet have your certification, ISSA offers a few Personal Trainer certification programs. This enables you to select the one that best fits your career goals as a fitness instructor. Though, they all provide the education and skills necessary to become a successful personal trainer within the fitness industry.

Resources

Fitness trainers and instructors. (2024, August 29). Bureau of Labor Statistics. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/personal-care-and-service/fitness-trainers-and-instructors.htm

Spraul, T. (2021). Top 10 Highest Paid Personal Trainers In America | Exercise.com. Exercise.com. Retrieved 13 May 2022, from https://www.exercise.com/learn/top-10-highest-paid-personal-trainers-in-america/.

Gaul, P. (2018). Earning a Certificate Can Lead to Increased Wages. ATD. Retrieved 13 May 2022, from https://www.td.org/magazines/td-magazine/earning-a-certificate-can-lead-to-increased-wages.