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The differences between fitness instructors and 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 fitness instructor and a fitness trainer. Additionally, a fitness instructor has an average salary of $35,495, which is higher than the $28,702 average annual salary of a fitness trainer.
The top three skills for a fitness instructor include CPR, customer service and work ethic. The most important skills for a fitness trainer are customer service, front desk, and CPR.
| Fitness Instructor | Fitness Trainer | |
| Yearly salary | $35,495 | $28,702 |
| Hourly rate | $17.06 | $13.80 |
| Growth rate | 19% | 19% |
| Number of jobs | 31,212 | 23,881 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 64% | Bachelor's Degree, 59% |
| 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.
The job of a fitness trainer is to instruct and motivate individuals and groups in physical activities, including stretching, cardiovascular exercise, and strength training. The typical duties of a fitness trainer include demonstrating how to perform various exercises, guiding them during the exercise to improve fitness and minimize injuries, and monitoring their progress. As a fitness trainer, you are also responsible for explaining and enforcing safety rules on exercise equipment usage, recreational activities, and sports, and giving clients resources and information about weight control, lifestyle issues, and nutrition.
Fitness instructors and fitness trainers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Fitness Instructor | Fitness Trainer | |
| Average salary | $35,495 | $28,702 |
| Salary range | Between $23,000 And $53,000 | Between $19,000 And $41,000 |
| Highest paying City | Berkeley, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | Hawaii |
| Best paying company | Massachusetts General Hospital | Kohler Co. |
| Best paying industry | Education | Hospitality |
There are a few differences between a fitness instructor and a fitness trainer in terms of educational background:
| Fitness Instructor | Fitness Trainer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 64% | Bachelor's Degree, 59% |
| 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 trainers' demographics:
| Fitness Instructor | Fitness Trainer | |
| Average age | 37 | 37 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 32.2% Female, 67.8% | Male, 59.8% Female, 40.2% |
| 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% |