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The differences between class instructors and fitness specialists 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 fitness specialist. Additionally, a class instructor has an average salary of $37,717, which is higher than the $32,472 average annual salary of a fitness specialist.
The top three skills for a class instructor include CPR, customer service and yoga. The most important skills for a fitness specialist are CPR, fitness assessments, and ACSM.
| Class Instructor | Fitness Specialist | |
| Yearly salary | $37,717 | $32,472 |
| Hourly rate | $18.13 | $15.61 |
| Growth rate | 19% | 19% |
| Number of jobs | 52,349 | 28,175 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 61% | Bachelor's Degree, 71% |
| Average age | 37 | 37 |
| Years of experience | 12 | 12 |
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.
A Fitness Specialist is focused on promoting a healthy lifestyle through exercise and working with clients in various settings. They teach individuals or groups how to properly perform exercises and use exercise equipment.
Class instructors and fitness specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Class Instructor | Fitness Specialist | |
| Average salary | $37,717 | $32,472 |
| Salary range | Between $23,000 And $60,000 | Between $24,000 And $42,000 |
| Highest paying City | Long Beach, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | Rutgers University | University Settlement |
| Best paying industry | Education | Education |
There are a few differences between a class instructor and a fitness specialist in terms of educational background:
| Class Instructor | Fitness Specialist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 61% | Bachelor's Degree, 71% |
| Most common major | Business | Kinesiology |
| Most common college | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill |
Here are the differences between class instructors' and fitness specialists' demographics:
| Class Instructor | Fitness Specialist | |
| Average age | 37 | 37 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 42.8% Female, 57.2% | Male, 44.8% Female, 55.2% |
| Race ratio | 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% | 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 Percentage | 13% | 13% |