Post job

Class instructor vs certified personal trainer

The differences between class instructors and certified personal trainers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 6-12 months to become both a class instructor and a certified personal trainer. Additionally, a class instructor has an average salary of $37,717, which is higher than the $32,039 average annual salary of a certified personal trainer.

The top three skills for a class instructor include CPR, customer service and yoga. The most important skills for a certified personal trainer are CPR, customer service, and injury prevention.

Class instructor vs certified personal trainer overview

Class InstructorCertified Personal Trainer
Yearly salary$37,717$32,039
Hourly rate$18.13$15.40
Growth rate19%19%
Number of jobs52,34965,615
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 61%Bachelor's Degree, 66%
Average age3737
Years of experience1212

What does a class instructor do?

Class instructors are teachers who apply to teach hands-on skills. The instructors are tasked with the preparation and delivery of lesson plans and other instructional materials for active learning. They manage student behavior in the classroom by establishing academic rules and procedures. They maintain discipline following the disciplinary systems of the school. These instructors must have the ability to communicate effectively in writing and orally, report to work on a regular and punctual basis, and meet professional instructor's education requirements of the district, school, and state.

What does a certified personal trainer do?

A Certified Personal Trainer is a person who will guide, help, and motivate you to move forward and become successful. Anyone with a mastery of a specific subject can become a personal trainer; however, certification is given only by accredited organizations that can offer licensure or certification programs. Many hope to find their own certified personal trainer in this hectic and convoluted society to accompany them through thick and thin in life.

Class instructor vs certified personal trainer salary

Class instructors and certified personal trainers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Class InstructorCertified Personal Trainer
Average salary$37,717$32,039
Salary rangeBetween $23,000 And $60,000Between $21,000 And $47,000
Highest paying CityLong Beach, CASan Francisco, CA
Highest paying stateCaliforniaCalifornia
Best paying companyRutgers UniversityCity and County of Denver Government
Best paying industryEducationRetail

Differences between class instructor and certified personal trainer education

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

Class InstructorCertified Personal Trainer
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 61%Bachelor's Degree, 66%
Most common majorBusinessKinesiology
Most common collegeUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel HillUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Class instructor vs certified personal trainer demographics

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

Class InstructorCertified Personal Trainer
Average age3737
Gender ratioMale, 42.8% Female, 57.2%Male, 53.5% Female, 46.5%
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 class instructor and certified personal trainer duties and responsibilities

Class instructor example responsibilities.

  • Lead modified yoga and meditation sessions to enhance balance and flexibility ;
  • Develop fitness and wellness classes such as step aerobics, pilates and other routines ensuring a diversity of class offerings.
  • Teach aerobics, step, kickboxing and Zumba classes.
  • Create syllabus, reading and writing assignments, develop and grade tests.
  • Create lesson plans and homework assignments for ESL students from diverse cultural backgrounds.
  • Prepare ESL Spanish-speakers to pass U.S. citizenship test through weekly lessons and mock interviews.
  • Show more

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.
  • Show more

Class instructor vs certified personal trainer skills

Common class instructor skills
  • CPR, 29%
  • Customer Service, 27%
  • Yoga, 13%
  • Kids, 11%
  • Course Curriculum, 7%
  • Course Materials, 2%
Common certified personal trainer skills
  • CPR, 21%
  • Customer Service, 15%
  • Injury Prevention, 9%
  • Group Training, 6%
  • NASM, 6%
  • Weight Loss, 5%

Browse personal care and attendants jobs