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The differences between fitness instructors and fitness attendants 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 fitness attendant. Additionally, a fitness instructor has an average salary of $35,495, which is higher than the $29,331 average annual salary of a fitness attendant.
The top three skills for a fitness instructor include CPR, customer service and work ethic. The most important skills for a fitness attendant are CPR, cleanliness, and work ethic.
| Fitness Instructor | Fitness Attendant | |
| Yearly salary | $35,495 | $29,331 |
| Hourly rate | $17.06 | $14.10 |
| Growth rate | 19% | 19% |
| Number of jobs | 31,212 | 50,892 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 64% | Bachelor's Degree, 69% |
| 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.
A fitness attendant oversees the daily operations of fitness establishments, ensuring that clients receive optimal services. They are primarily in charge of opening and closing facilities, setting up and sanitizing equipment, monitoring supply inventory, and maintaining the cleanliness of areas. They also greet and interact with clients, answer inquiries, provide instructions on how to use equipment safely, and assist them by spotting. It is also their responsibility to respond to distress and emergencies, resolving issues promptly and professionally.
Fitness instructors and fitness attendants have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Fitness Instructor | Fitness Attendant | |
| Average salary | $35,495 | $29,331 |
| Salary range | Between $23,000 And $53,000 | Between $21,000 And $40,000 |
| Highest paying City | Berkeley, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | Hawaii |
| Best paying company | Massachusetts General Hospital | Palmetto |
| Best paying industry | Education | Education |
There are a few differences between a fitness instructor and a fitness attendant in terms of educational background:
| Fitness Instructor | Fitness Attendant | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 64% | Bachelor's Degree, 69% |
| Most common major | Kinesiology | Kinesiology |
| 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 fitness attendants' demographics:
| Fitness Instructor | Fitness Attendant | |
| Average age | 37 | 37 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 32.2% Female, 67.8% | Male, 53.5% Female, 46.5% |
| 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% |