Research Summary. The Zippia data science team has conducted extensive research to provide insights into personal trainer salaries across the United States for 2026:
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California boasts the highest personal trainer salary at $49,724
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South Carolina reports the lowest personal trainer salary, averaging $23,817
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The national average salary for personal trainers stands at $37,214
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On an hourly basis, personal trainers earn an average of $17.89
For a deeper understanding of the specific methodology, click here.
Background
According to various surveys, salary remains the top priority for individuals when considering job opportunities. Many aspiring personal trainers often wonder about the earning potential in their area.
While numerous factors influence your specific salary, comprehensive data is available regarding average personal trainer salaries by state, differentiated by experience levels. Although your local figures might vary slightly from the state averages, these insights provide a valuable reference point.
As for the state with the highest personal trainer salary? That honor goes to California.
Here’s a quick overview of the top ten states for personal trainer salaries:
Let’s delve deeper into the data and examine a comprehensive ranking of all states.
Highest-Paid Personal Trainers By State
| Rank | State | Average Personal Trainer Salary | 10th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | $49,724 | $34,000 | $71,000 |
| 2 | Hawaii | $48,936 | $43,000 | $55,000 |
| 3 | Washington | $48,140 | $32,000 | $70,000 |
| 4 | Connecticut | $47,835 | $29,000 | $77,000 |
| 5 | Alaska | $47,698 | $39,000 | $57,000 |
| 6 | Massachusetts | $46,548 | $28,000 | $75,000 |
| 7 | Nevada | $46,472 | $31,000 | $68,000 |
| 8 | Vermont | $45,343 | $29,000 | $70,000 |
| 9 | New Hampshire | $45,243 | $28,000 | $72,000 |
| 10 | Maryland | $44,782 | $28,000 | $69,000 |
| 11 | North Dakota | $44,163 | $32,000 | $60,000 |
| 12 | New Jersey | $42,422 | $26,000 | $68,000 |
| 13 | Oregon | $42,071 | $28,000 | $61,000 |
| 14 | Colorado | $41,061 | $28,000 | $58,000 |
| 15 | Maine | $40,847 | $26,000 | $63,000 |
| 16 | Rhode Island | $40,715 | $24,000 | $66,000 |
| 17 | Arizona | $40,587 | $28,000 | $57,000 |
| 18 | New York | $40,543 | $24,000 | $65,000 |
| 19 | New Mexico | $40,373 | $28,000 | $57,000 |
| 20 | Wyoming | $40,130 | $28,000 | $57,000 |
| 21 | West Virginia | $40,105 | $27,000 | $59,000 |
| 22 | Illinois | $40,035 | $27,000 | $58,000 |
| 23 | Minnesota | $39,877 | $28,000 | $56,000 |
| 24 | Texas | $39,719 | $28,000 | $56,000 |
| 25 | Delaware | $39,680 | $25,000 | $62,000 |
| 26 | Kentucky | $39,586 | $27,000 | $57,000 |
| 27 | North Carolina | $38,786 | $26,000 | $56,000 |
| 28 | Oklahoma | $38,720 | $27,000 | $55,000 |
| 29 | Utah | $38,695 | $26,000 | $56,000 |
| 30 | Mississippi | $38,689 | $27,000 | $55,000 |
| 31 | Virginia | $38,439 | $25,000 | $57,000 |
| 32 | Nebraska | $38,161 | $26,000 | $54,000 |
| 33 | Iowa | $36,676 | $25,000 | $52,000 |
| 34 | Indiana | $35,441 | $24,000 | $51,000 |
| 35 | Florida | $35,160 | $24,000 | $49,000 |
| 36 | Alabama | $34,769 | $24,000 | $49,000 |
| 37 | Louisiana | $34,746 | $24,000 | $49,000 |
| 38 | Montana | $34,507 | $24,000 | $48,000 |
| 39 | Pennsylvania | $33,620 | $21,000 | $53,000 |
| 40 | South Dakota | $33,532 | $23,000 | $47,000 |
| 41 | Kansas | $33,294 | $23,000 | $47,000 |
| 42 | Wisconsin | $32,747 | $22,000 | $47,000 |
| 43 | Missouri | $31,090 | $21,000 | $44,000 |
| 44 | Tennessee | $30,889 | $21,000 | $44,000 |
| 45 | Georgia | $30,700 | $21,000 | $43,000 |
| 46 | Michigan | $30,641 | $20,000 | $45,000 |
| 47 | Idaho | $30,231 | $20,000 | $43,000 |
| 48 | Arkansas | $30,161 | $21,000 | $42,000 |
| 49 | Ohio | $28,559 | $19,000 | $42,000 |
| 50 | South Carolina | $23,817 | $16,000 | $34,000 |
Methodology: Personal Trainer Salary By State
To provide a clearer picture of personal trainer compensation by state, Zippia aggregates data from multiple authoritative sources, including the BLS, FLC, and OPM. This data is then enhanced with actual salary listings from job postings. The Zippia data science team computes a weighted average to determine the average pay for personal trainers across different states.
Using this average annual salary data, we rank each state based on personal trainer earnings, identifying the state with the highest average salary.
Personal Trainer Salary By State FAQs
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What is the highest-paid state for personal trainers?
The state offering the highest salary for personal trainers is California, with an average salary of $49,724 annually.
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What city pays personal trainers the most?
San Francisco, CA has the highest average salary for personal trainers, at $50,574 per year.
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What is the worst state for personal trainers?
The state with the lowest average salary for personal trainers is South Carolina, averaging $23,817 per year.
Author
Chris Kolmar is a co-founder of Zippia and the editor-in-chief of the Zippia career advice blog. He has hired over 50 people in his career, been hired five times, and wants to help you land your next job. His research has been featured on the New York Times, Thrillist, VOX, The Atlantic, and a host of local news. More recently, he's been quoted on USA Today, BusinessInsider, and CNBC.
