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The differences between fitness instructors and class instructors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 6-12 months to become both a fitness instructor and a class instructor. Additionally, a class instructor has an average salary of $37,717, which is higher than the $35,495 average annual salary of a fitness instructor.
The top three skills for a fitness instructor include CPR, customer service and work ethic. The most important skills for a class instructor are CPR, customer service, and yoga.
| Fitness Instructor | Class Instructor | |
| Yearly salary | $35,495 | $37,717 |
| Hourly rate | $17.06 | $18.13 |
| Growth rate | 19% | 19% |
| Number of jobs | 31,212 | 52,349 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 64% | Bachelor's Degree, 61% |
| Average age | 37 | 37 |
| Years of experience | 12 | 12 |
A fitness instructor advocates good physical health by crafting different fitness programs and providing fitness training sessions to a group of clients or individuals. They focus on different kinds of work-out and exercise routines. A fitness instructor mostly works at a gym; however, there are instances when one can work independently or by providing house calls. Furthermore, a fitness instructor needs to build rapport with clients, making them feel at ease during sessions, which will also be beneficial in gaining a strong client base.
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.
Fitness instructors and class instructors have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Fitness Instructor | Class Instructor | |
| Average salary | $35,495 | $37,717 |
| Salary range | Between $23,000 And $53,000 | Between $23,000 And $60,000 |
| Highest paying City | Berkeley, CA | Long Beach, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | Massachusetts General Hospital | Rutgers University |
| Best paying industry | Education | Education |
There are a few differences between a fitness instructor and a class instructor in terms of educational background:
| Fitness Instructor | Class Instructor | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 64% | Bachelor's Degree, 61% |
| Most common major | Kinesiology | Business |
| Most common college | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill |
Here are the differences between fitness instructors' and class instructors' demographics:
| Fitness Instructor | Class Instructor | |
| Average age | 37 | 37 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 32.2% Female, 67.8% | Male, 42.8% Female, 57.2% |
| 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% |