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Exercise science instructor vs certified personal trainer

The differences between exercise science 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 an exercise science instructor and a certified personal trainer. Additionally, an exercise science instructor has an average salary of $32,209, which is higher than the $32,039 average annual salary of a certified personal trainer.

The top three skills for an exercise science instructor include exercise physiology, yoga and ACSM. The most important skills for a certified personal trainer are CPR, customer service, and injury prevention.

Exercise science instructor vs certified personal trainer overview

Exercise Science InstructorCertified Personal Trainer
Yearly salary$32,209$32,039
Hourly rate$15.49$15.40
Growth rate19%19%
Number of jobs30,05565,615
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 67%Bachelor's Degree, 66%
Average age3737
Years of experience1212

Exercise science instructor vs certified personal trainer salary

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

Exercise Science InstructorCertified Personal Trainer
Average salary$32,209$32,039
Salary rangeBetween $20,000 And $51,000Between $21,000 And $47,000
Highest paying City-San Francisco, CA
Highest paying state-California
Best paying company-City and County of Denver Government
Best paying industry-Retail

Differences between exercise science instructor and certified personal trainer education

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

Exercise Science InstructorCertified Personal Trainer
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 67%Bachelor's Degree, 66%
Most common majorKinesiologyKinesiology
Most common collegeUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel HillUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Exercise science instructor vs certified personal trainer demographics

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

Exercise Science InstructorCertified Personal Trainer
Average age3737
Gender ratioMale, 36.8% Female, 63.2%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 exercise science instructor and certified personal trainer duties and responsibilities

Exercise science instructor example responsibilities.

  • Manage general fitness center cleanliness and coordinate group fitness instructor schedules
  • Choreograph and teach Zumba dance exercise
  • Teach water fitness and Zumba to residents.
  • Teach open level/advance Pilates mat and reformer classes
  • Provide professional personal training and group exercise instruction services for individuals of all ages and ability levels, including rehabilitation phases.
  • Manage LEGO camps using set curriculum.

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

Exercise science instructor vs certified personal trainer skills

Common exercise science instructor skills
  • Exercise Physiology, 23%
  • Yoga, 20%
  • ACSM, 12%
  • Health Education, 7%
  • Exercise Program, 6%
  • Zumba, 5%
Common certified personal trainer skills
  • CPR, 21%
  • Customer Service, 15%
  • Injury Prevention, 9%
  • Group Training, 6%
  • NASM, 6%
  • Weight Loss, 5%

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