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The differences between class instructors and personal fitness 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 personal fitness trainer. Additionally, a personal fitness trainer has an average salary of $38,198, which is higher than the $37,717 average annual salary of a class instructor.
The top three skills for a class instructor include CPR, customer service and yoga. The most important skills for a personal fitness trainer are CPR, program design, and customer service.
| Class Instructor | Personal Fitness Trainer | |
| Yearly salary | $37,717 | $38,198 |
| Hourly rate | $18.13 | $18.36 |
| Growth rate | 19% | 19% |
| Number of jobs | 52,349 | 33,387 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 61% | Bachelor's Degree, 64% |
| 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.
Personal Fitness Trainers are responsible for developing fitness plans entailing exercise routines for groups and individuals. Their duties include determining clients' health and fitness levels, facilitating exercise regimen completions, monitoring physical progress, and implementing individualized exercise plans. They are responsible for undertaking group and individual training sessions, supervising proper fitness equipment, and educating on comprehensive training techniques. Personal Fitness Trainers also assist in providing consultation regarding nutrition, health, and weight control inquiries. They ensure safety regulations are adhered to and can perform first aid.
Class instructors and personal fitness trainers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Class Instructor | Personal Fitness Trainer | |
| Average salary | $37,717 | $38,198 |
| Salary range | Between $23,000 And $60,000 | Between $25,000 And $57,000 |
| Highest paying City | Long Beach, CA | - |
| Highest paying state | California | - |
| Best paying company | Rutgers University | - |
| Best paying industry | Education | - |
There are a few differences between a class instructor and a personal fitness trainer in terms of educational background:
| Class Instructor | Personal Fitness Trainer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 61% | Bachelor's Degree, 64% |
| 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 personal fitness trainers' demographics:
| Class Instructor | Personal Fitness Trainer | |
| Average age | 37 | 37 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 42.8% Female, 57.2% | Male, 57.8% Female, 42.2% |
| 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% |