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The average salary for a Group Fitness Instructor in the U.S. is approximately $35,867 per year, or around $17 per hour. Salaries vary significantly based on factors such as location, experience, and the type of fitness facility. For instance, instructors in metropolitan areas often earn more due to higher demand.
Compensation can range widely. Entry-level positions may start around $25,000, while experienced instructors in high-demand regions can earn upwards of $50,000. Additionally, specialized certifications can lead to higher pay.
Instructors working in states like California, New York, and Florida typically see higher salaries. Facilities such as private gyms, corporate wellness programs, and high-end fitness studios often offer competitive rates.
With the growing emphasis on health and wellness, the demand for skilled group fitness instructors is on the rise. This role not only offers a fulfilling career but also opportunities for advancement into management or specialized fitness areas.
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The average group fitness instructor salary in California, Hawaii, and Nevada are the highest in the U.S. The lowest average group fitness instructor salary states are Idaho, South Dakota, and South Carolina.
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | $47,564 | $22.87 |
| 2 | Nevada | $43,282 | $20.81 |
| 3 | Alaska | $42,632 | $20.50 |
| 4 | Oregon | $40,600 | $19.52 |
| 5 | Texas | $40,262 | $19.36 |
| 6 | Hawaii | $46,805 | $22.50 |
| 7 | Colorado | $37,236 | $17.90 |
| 8 | Arizona | $39,256 | $18.87 |
| 9 | Connecticut | $37,802 | $18.17 |
| 10 | Wyoming | $34,305 | $16.49 |
| 11 | Florida | $36,527 | $17.56 |
| 12 | New Mexico | $37,283 | $17.92 |
| 13 | Maryland | $38,461 | $18.49 |
| 14 | Mississippi | $36,178 | $17.39 |
| 15 | Utah | $36,159 | $17.38 |
| 16 | Illinois | $35,774 | $17.20 |
| 17 | Washington | $37,647 | $18.10 |
| 18 | New Jersey | $33,856 | $16.28 |
| 19 | Vermont | $36,000 | $17.31 |
| 20 | Kentucky | $33,863 | $16.28 |
| 21 | New Hampshire | $35,249 | $16.95 |
| 22 | Delaware | $33,416 | $16.07 |
| 23 | Oklahoma | $36,360 | $17.48 |
| 24 | West Virginia | $34,039 | $16.36 |
| 25 | Massachusetts | $34,066 | $16.38 |
| 26 | North Dakota | $32,958 | $15.85 |
| 27 | New York | $32,666 | $15.70 |
| 28 | Michigan | $32,040 | $15.40 |
| 29 | Louisiana | $32,880 | $15.81 |
| 30 | Rhode Island | $31,718 | $15.25 |
| 31 | District of Columbia | $36,727 | $17.66 |
| 32 | Pennsylvania | $31,314 | $15.05 |
| 33 | Maine | $32,399 | $15.58 |
| 34 | Alabama | $32,169 | $15.47 |
| 35 | Georgia | $28,300 | $13.61 |
| 36 | Virginia | $29,467 | $14.17 |
| 37 | Montana | $28,590 | $13.75 |
| 38 | North Carolina | $28,183 | $13.55 |
| 39 | Minnesota | $31,057 | $14.93 |
| 40 | Nebraska | $31,327 | $15.06 |
| 41 | Kansas | $30,484 | $14.66 |
| 42 | Tennessee | $27,679 | $13.31 |
| 43 | Indiana | $29,346 | $14.11 |
| 44 | South Carolina | $21,842 | $10.50 |
| 45 | South Dakota | $26,410 | $12.70 |
| 46 | Iowa | $21,830 | $10.50 |
| 47 | Arkansas | $27,522 | $13.23 |
| 48 | Idaho | $26,563 | $12.77 |
| 49 | Missouri | $26,569 | $12.77 |
| 50 | Wisconsin | $21,690 | $10.43 |
| 51 | Ohio | $20,099 | $9.66 |
The highest-paying cities for group fitness instructors are San Francisco, CA, Las Vegas, NV, and Austin, TX.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Francisco, CA | $48,840 | $23.48 |
| 2 | Las Vegas, NV | $43,196 | $20.77 |
| 3 | Austin, TX | $40,846 | $19.64 |
| 4 | Tucson, AZ | $39,523 | $19.00 |
| 5 | Bethesda, MD | $38,370 | $18.45 |
| 6 | Seattle, WA | $37,922 | $18.23 |
| 7 | Colorado Springs, CO | $37,909 | $18.23 |
| 8 | Albuquerque, NM | $37,130 | $17.85 |
| 9 | Tampa, FL | $36,863 | $17.72 |
| 10 | Washington, DC | $36,725 | $17.66 |
| 11 | Orland Park, IL | $35,791 | $17.21 |
| 12 | Tulsa, OK | $35,650 | $17.14 |
| 13 | Freehold, NJ | $34,066 | $16.38 |
| 14 | Boston, MA | $33,970 | $16.33 |
| 15 | New York, NY | $32,878 | $15.81 |
| 16 | Johnston, RI | $31,610 | $15.20 |
| 17 | Wichita, KS | $31,285 | $15.04 |
| 18 | Eagan, MN | $31,110 | $14.96 |
| 19 | Reston, VA | $29,282 | $14.08 |
| 20 | Lafayette, IN | $29,181 | $14.03 |
A group fitness instructor's salary ranges from $23,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $54,000 at the 90th percentile.

| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $54,000 | $4,500 | $26 |
| 75th Percentile | $44,000 | $3,667 | $21 |
| Average | $35,867 | $2,989 | $17 |
| 25th Percentile | $28,000 | $2,333 | $13 |
| 10th Percentile | $23,000 | $1,917 | $11 |
The highest paying types of group fitness instructors are manager/personal trainer, instructor, and fitness director.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Life Skills Trainer | $30,822 | $2,569 | $14.82 | 39,666 |
| Skills Trainer | $32,779 | $2,732 | $15.76 | 21,389 |
| Certified Personal Trainer | $32,039 | $2,670 | $15.40 | 65,615 |
| Manager/Personal Trainer | $63,117 | $5,260 | $30.34 | 32,592 |
| Strength And Conditioning Internship | $47,497 | $3,958 | $22.84 | 50,805 |
| Personal Trainer | $37,214 | $3,101 | $17.89 | 34,023 |
Top companies hiring group fitness instructors now:
Group fitness instructor salaries at Bridgewater State University and Georgetown University are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average group fitness instructor salary at companies like City and County of Denver Government and Columbia University in the City of New York are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bridgewater State University | $56,938 | $27.37 |
| 2 | Georgetown University | $52,965 | $25.46 |
| 3 | City and County of Denver Government | $50,240 | $24.15 |
| 4 | Columbia University in the City of New York | $50,234 | $24.15 |
| 5 | Syracuse University | $49,307 | $23.71 |
| 6 | PSEA | $47,256 | $22.72 |
| 7 | City of Lakewood | $46,844 | $22.52 |
| 8 | City of Dublin, Ohio - Government | $46,772 | $22.49 |
| 9 | Methodist Health System | $45,718 | $21.98 |
| 10 | Retail | $45,452 | $21.85 |
| 11 | Southern New Hampshire University | $44,682 | $21.48 |
| 12 | The College of St. Scholastica | $43,588 | $20.96 |
| 13 | The University of Texas at San Antonio | $42,505 | $20.44 |
| 14 | The University of New Mexico | $42,343 | $20.36 |
| 15 | BayCare Health System | $41,235 | $19.82 |
| 16 | F45 Training | $40,855 | $19.64 |
| 17 | Educational Alliance | $40,732 | $19.58 |
| 18 | Arden Hills: A Wellness Resort | $40,724 | $19.58 |
| 19 | GYMGUYZ | $40,619 | $19.53 |
| 20 | Tapout Fitness | $40,619 | $19.53 |
The average group fitness instructor salary varies across industries:
| Rank | Industry | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Education | $39,122 | $18.81 |
| 2 | Hospitality | $36,181 | $17.39 |
| 3 | Government | $35,881 | $17.25 |
| 4 | Health Care | $34,857 | $16.76 |
| 5 | Non Profits | $31,995 | $15.38 |
The average group fitness instructor salary has risen by $8,394 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average group fitness instructor earned $27,473 annually, but today, they earn $35,867 a year. That works out to a 6% change in pay for group fitness instructors over the last decade.
Compare group fitness instructor salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Compare group fitness instructor salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $35,900 | $17.24 | +0.3% |
| 2025 | $35,800 | $17.19 | +1.4% |
| 2024 | $35,300 | $16.95 | +1.5% |
| 2023 | $34,700 | $16.69 | +2.7% |
| 2022 | $33,800 | $16.24 | +5.2% |
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| City of Lake Oswego, or | Group Fitness Instructor | Lake Oswego, OR | 06/30/2025 | $52,175 |
| Lakewood Companies | Variable Group Fitness Instructor | Lakewood, CO | 06/30/2025 | $37,566 |
| Ou Health | Student Group Fitness, F45, or Yoga Instructor (Summer) | Norman, OK | 06/29/2025 | $15,131 |
| Get It Recruit-Educational Services | Group Instructor-Remote | WFH | Haslet, TX | 06/29/2025 | $31,305 |
| University of West Florida | OPS Group Fitness Instructor | Pensacola, FL | 06/28/2025 | $41,740 |
| CR Holdings | Group Fitness Boxing Instructor | Fort Myers, FL | 06/28/2025 | $52,175 |
| Northern Kentucky University | Group Fitness Instructor | Highland Heights, KY | 06/26/2025 | $22,957 |
| F45 Training Central Houston | Personal Trainer/Group Fitness Instructor | Houston, TX | 06/23/2025 | $52,175 |
| City of North Richland Hills, Tx | Contracted Group Fitness Instructor-NRH Centre | Dodge City, KS | 06/23/2025 | $52,175 |
| Maryland National Capital Park | Prince George's Sportsplex-Group Fitness Instructors and Personal Trainers-Seasonal | Landover, MD | 06/22/2025 | $33,392 |
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