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The differences between fitness instructors and group fitness 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 group fitness instructor. Additionally, a group fitness instructor has an average salary of $35,867, 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 group fitness instructor are CPR, yoga, and customer service.
| Fitness Instructor | Group Fitness Instructor | |
| Yearly salary | $35,495 | $35,867 |
| Hourly rate | $17.06 | $17.24 |
| Growth rate | 19% | 19% |
| Number of jobs | 31,212 | 38,457 |
| 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 group fitness instructor is responsible for creating fitness programs for a group with the same fitness goals, tailoring special instructions to engage the group and helping each individual achieve their healthy lifestyle objectives. Group fitness instructors monitor each trainee's progress, adjusting exercise routines and diet plans as needed, and ensuring that the group follows the training disciplines during fitness sessions. They must have excellent knowledge of the fitness industry, including the latest routines to provide options and a wide range of fitness programs.
Fitness instructors and group fitness instructors have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Fitness Instructor | Group Fitness Instructor | |
| Average salary | $35,495 | $35,867 |
| Salary range | Between $23,000 And $53,000 | Between $23,000 And $54,000 |
| Highest paying City | Berkeley, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | Massachusetts General Hospital | Bridgewater State University |
| Best paying industry | Education | Education |
There are a few differences between a fitness instructor and a group fitness instructor in terms of educational background:
| Fitness Instructor | Group Fitness Instructor | |
| 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 group fitness instructors' demographics:
| Fitness Instructor | Group Fitness Instructor | |
| Average age | 37 | 37 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 32.2% Female, 67.8% | Male, 29.5% Female, 70.5% |
| 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% |