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The differences between group fitness instructors and fitness directors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 6-12 months to become both a group fitness instructor and a fitness director. Additionally, a fitness director has an average salary of $53,238, which is higher than the $35,867 average annual salary of a group fitness instructor.
The top three skills for a group fitness instructor include CPR, yoga and customer service. The most important skills for a fitness director are customer service, CPR, and kids.
| Group Fitness Instructor | Fitness Director | |
| Yearly salary | $35,867 | $53,238 |
| Hourly rate | $17.24 | $25.60 |
| Growth rate | 19% | 19% |
| Number of jobs | 38,457 | 9,837 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 5 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 69% | Bachelor's Degree, 72% |
| Average age | 37 | 37 |
| Years of experience | 12 | 12 |
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.
A fitness director manages a fitness facility's operations. These operations include creating fitness programs, monitoring staff, scheduling shifts, and even managing the fitness center budget. They can also train fitness instructors and even hire and terminate them. They procure the equipment necessary and make sure it works well and is safe. Aside from these tasks, fitness directors must also be akin to the needs of the center, decide on solutions, and have the ability to motivate clients to follow the program that was created for their betterment.
Group fitness instructors and fitness directors have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Group Fitness Instructor | Fitness Director | |
| Average salary | $35,867 | $53,238 |
| Salary range | Between $23,000 And $54,000 | Between $33,000 And $85,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | Springfield, MA |
| Highest paying state | California | Massachusetts |
| Best paying company | Bridgewater State University | |
| Best paying industry | Education | Government |
There are a few differences between a group fitness instructor and a fitness director in terms of educational background:
| Group Fitness Instructor | Fitness Director | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 69% | Bachelor's Degree, 72% |
| 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 group fitness instructors' and fitness directors' demographics:
| Group Fitness Instructor | Fitness Director | |
| Average age | 37 | 37 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 29.5% Female, 70.5% | Male, 54.8% Female, 45.2% |
| 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% |