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Exercise science instructor vs personal trainer

The differences between exercise science instructors and 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 personal trainer. Additionally, a personal trainer has an average salary of $37,214, which is higher than the $32,209 average annual salary of an exercise science instructor.

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

Exercise science instructor vs personal trainer overview

Exercise Science InstructorPersonal Trainer
Yearly salary$32,209$37,214
Hourly rate$15.49$17.89
Growth rate19%19%
Number of jobs30,05534,023
Job satisfaction-5
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 67%Bachelor's Degree, 67%
Average age3737
Years of experience1212

Exercise science instructor vs personal trainer salary

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

Exercise Science InstructorPersonal Trainer
Average salary$32,209$37,214
Salary rangeBetween $20,000 And $51,000Between $26,000 And $53,000
Highest paying City-San Francisco, CA
Highest paying state-California
Best paying company-AEA Investors
Best paying industry-Retail

Differences between exercise science instructor and personal trainer education

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

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

Exercise science instructor vs personal trainer demographics

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

Exercise Science InstructorPersonal Trainer
Average age3737
Gender ratioMale, 36.8% Female, 63.2%Male, 63.3% Female, 36.7%
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 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.

Personal trainer example responsibilities.

  • Help clients achieve fitness goals through diet and heavy weight lifting with HIIT cardio.
  • Achieve high customer satisfaction and budget efficiency in the group fitness department and yoga department.
  • Provide market research and generate leads using social media (facebook) in order to target prospective clients.
  • Shape the social media aspect of the facility which include Facebook and Instagram.
  • Ensure trainers and team members are consistent in punctuality, dress code, compliance, and customer service.
  • Follow ACSM guidelines ensuring safe and healthy exercise technique for strength training and cardiovascular activity.
  • Show more

Exercise science instructor vs personal trainer skills

Common exercise science instructor skills
  • Exercise Physiology, 23%
  • Yoga, 20%
  • ACSM, 12%
  • Health Education, 7%
  • Exercise Program, 6%
  • Zumba, 5%
Common personal trainer skills
  • CPR, 23%
  • Customer Service, 21%
  • Resuscitation, 7%
  • Fitness Programs, 7%
  • NASM, 5%
  • Physical Fitness, 4%

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