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Certified personal trainer vs head instructor

The differences between certified personal trainers and head instructors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 6-12 months to become both a certified personal trainer and a head instructor. Additionally, a head instructor has an average salary of $47,768, which is higher than the $32,039 average annual salary of a certified personal trainer.

The top three skills for a certified personal trainer include CPR, customer service and injury prevention. The most important skills for a head instructor are classroom management, curriculum development, and CPR.

Certified personal trainer vs head instructor overview

Certified Personal TrainerHead Instructor
Yearly salary$32,039$47,768
Hourly rate$15.40$22.97
Growth rate19%19%
Number of jobs65,61532,924
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 66%Bachelor's Degree, 67%
Average age3737
Years of experience1212

Certified personal trainer vs head instructor salary

Certified personal trainers and head instructors have different pay scales, as shown below.

Certified Personal TrainerHead Instructor
Average salary$32,039$47,768
Salary rangeBetween $21,000 And $47,000Between $23,000 And $98,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CARandolph, NJ
Highest paying stateCaliforniaMassachusetts
Best paying companyCity and County of Denver GovernmentV-Soft Consulting
Best paying industryRetail-

Differences between certified personal trainer and head instructor education

There are a few differences between a certified personal trainer and a head instructor in terms of educational background:

Certified Personal TrainerHead Instructor
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 66%Bachelor's Degree, 67%
Most common majorKinesiologyBusiness
Most common collegeUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel HillUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Certified personal trainer vs head instructor demographics

Here are the differences between certified personal trainers' and head instructors' demographics:

Certified Personal TrainerHead Instructor
Average age3737
Gender ratioMale, 53.5% Female, 46.5%Male, 59.4% Female, 40.6%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 7.1% Unknown, 5.4% Hispanic or Latino, 10.6% Asian, 5.1% White, 71.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%Black or African American, 7.1% Unknown, 5.4% Hispanic or Latino, 10.6% Asian, 5.1% White, 71.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%
LGBT Percentage13%13%

Differences between certified personal trainer and head instructor duties and responsibilities

Certified personal trainer example responsibilities.

  • Provide market research and generate leads using social media (facebook) in order to target prospective clients.
  • Train in CPR in case of emergencies.
  • Develop circuit training and small group Pilates classes.
  • Instruct Pilates classes and create a custom Pilates class for senior clients.
  • Coach and tutor colleagues on exercise science concepts as outlined in NASM certification material.
  • Assist in the cardiac rehabilitation clinic which include implementing progressive rehabilitation methods with education for long term health and wellness.
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Head instructor example responsibilities.

  • Lead children's classes training kids in kicks and punch self-defense and how to avoid physical confrontations.
  • Lead modified yoga and meditation sessions to enhance balance and flexibility ;
  • Instruct the children involve in vocal coaching and memorization of lyrics.
  • Work with students on costumes, props, and set ideas for show.
  • Direct drama workshops for after school programs during the school year and the summer.
  • Train students in the mechanics of wearing the costumes and performing according to the choreography.
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Certified personal trainer vs head instructor skills

Common certified personal trainer skills
  • CPR, 21%
  • Customer Service, 15%
  • Injury Prevention, 9%
  • Group Training, 6%
  • NASM, 6%
  • Weight Loss, 5%
Common head instructor skills
  • Classroom Management, 42%
  • Curriculum Development, 15%
  • CPR, 10%
  • Water Safety, 7%
  • Resuscitation, 3%
  • Self Defense, 3%

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