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Job outlook for health and fitness instructors in the United States
Are health and fitness instructor jobs in demand?
Health and fitness instructor job and salary trends over time
Health and fitness instructor jobs over time
Health and fitness instructor job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 3,406 | 0.00% |
| 2020 | 3,813 | 0.00% |
| 2019 | 5,003 | 0.00% |
| 2018 | 4,741 | 0.00% |
| 2017 | 4,305 | 0.00% |
Average health and fitness instructor salary over time
Health and fitness instructor salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $34,866 | $16.76 | +0.3% |
| 2024 | $34,763 | $16.71 | +1.4% |
| 2023 | $34,272 | $16.48 | +1.6% |
| 2022 | $33,747 | $16.22 | +2.8% |
| 2021 | $32,844 | $15.79 | +5.5% |
Health and fitness instructor jobs by state
Most common states for health and fitness instructors
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 166 | 24% |
| 2 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 1,113 | 20% |
| 3 | North Carolina | 10,273,419 | 1,840 | 18% |
| 4 | Indiana | 6,666,818 | 1,102 | 17% |
| 5 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 940 | 17% |
| 6 | Iowa | 3,145,711 | 534 | 17% |
| 7 | Delaware | 961,939 | 161 | 17% |
| 8 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 127 | 17% |
| 9 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 101 | 17% |
| 10 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 1,361 | 16% |
| 11 | Washington | 7,405,743 | 1,162 | 16% |
| 12 | Michigan | 9,962,311 | 1,493 | 15% |
| 13 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 890 | 15% |
| 14 | Idaho | 1,716,943 | 256 | 15% |
| 15 | Ohio | 11,658,609 | 1,603 | 14% |
| 16 | Wisconsin | 5,795,483 | 784 | 14% |
| 17 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 146 | 14% |
| 18 | Kansas | 2,913,123 | 392 | 13% |
| 19 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 173 | 13% |
| 20 | South Dakota | 869,666 | 116 | 13% |
Most common cities for health and fitness instructors
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Charleston | 1 | 1% | $32,019 |
| 2 | Denver | 1 | 0% | $37,585 |
| 3 | Urban Honolulu | 1 | 0% | $43,431 |
| 4 | Washington | 1 | 0% | $37,872 |
Health And Fitness Instructor job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of health and fitness instructor experts
University of Nebraska - Kearney
Endicott College
University of Arkansas
AGWA - American Grant Writers' Association, Inc.
Greg Brown
Professor , Dept. of Kinesiology and Sport SciencesUniversity of Nebraska - Kearney
Sports, Kinesiology, And Physical Education/Fitness
What general advice would you give to a Health And Fitness Instructor?
Greg Brown: A lot of undergraduate students in Kinesiology are planning to move on to post-graduate education in allied health (Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Athletic Training, etc.) so their career advice will come from those allied health professionals. For those students going into a career right out of their undergraduate program, typically in the health and fitness industry (e.g. personal training, strength & conditioning, health coaching, corporate wellness), they need to keep an eye on budding trends in the industry and not jump on the latest fad. Basically, a trend is something that is new or innovative that also has staying power and will still be viable in a few years. Fads often seem too good to be true and only last a short time before fading away. Think of wearable technology as a trend while Tae Bo was more of a fad.
What Health And Fitness Instructor skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Greg Brown: A lot of undergraduate students in Kinesiology are planning to move on to post graduate education in allied health (Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Athletic Training, etc.) so their career advice will come from those allied health professionals.
For those students going into a career right out of their undergraduate program, typically in the health and fitness industry (e.g. personal training, strength & conditioning, health coaching, corporate wellness), they need to keep an eye for budding trends in the industry and not jump on the latest fad. Basically, a trend is something that is new or innovative that also has staying power and will still be viable in a few years. Fads often seem too good to be true and only last a short time before fading away. Think of wearable technology as a trend while Tae Bo was more of a fad.
What will help Health And Fitness Instructors increase their earning potential?
Greg Brown: Communication skill are always necessary in this field. You need to be able to talk with others in a relatable way and in a motivating way. Communication through phone, text, email, and other modes will be essential along with in-person.
Being able to motivate elderly people and obese people to adopt a healthier lifestyle is getting to be more important as our population gets older and more obese.
Kevin Rooney Ph.D.
Associate Dean, School of Sport Science, Clinical Coordinator of Athletic TrainingEndicott College
School of Sport Science
What skills stand out on Health And Fitness Instructor resumes?
Kevin Rooney Ph.D.: The obvious skills are one's knowledge of anatomy and physiology, biomechanics, nutrition, and exercise. However, I believe that the most important skill is a person's ability to synthesize their scientific knowledge and effectively apply it in practice.
What soft skills should all Health And Fitness Instructors possess?
Kevin Rooney Ph.D.: Communication is the most important soft skill any new and seasoned professional can have. Effective communication demonstrates your command of the information and situation at hand and assists in earning the trust and respect of your clients and peers.
What hard/technical skills are most important for Health And Fitness Instructors?
Kevin Rooney Ph.D.: Exercise scientists are well-versed in various areas, including exercise assessment, exercise programming, biomechanics, exercise instruction, and patient/client education.
What skills will help Health And Fitness Instructors earn the most?
Kevin Rooney Ph.D.: There are numerous settings Exercise Scientists can work in. I believe that the most important skills to become successful include effective communication, active listening, compassion, being a team player, and critical thinking. Regardless of your work setting, if you possess these characteristics and skills, your professional growth ceiling is endless.
Dr. Michelle Gray Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Exercise ScienceUniversity of Arkansas
Health, Human Performance and Recreation
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Health And Fitness Instructor job market given the pandemic?
Dr. Michelle Gray Ph.D.: The fitness industry was devasted by COVID-19. Many fitness facilities were forced to shut their doors due to state and local regulations causing many to close permanently. The facilities that were able to hang on found creative ways to interact with their clients. The primary form was through virtual formats such as Zoom. This has never been attempted in the past, but COVID has forced the fitness industry to make significant changes in the way it interacts with clients. Never before have we had the opportunity to go into our clients' homes and expand our reach.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Health And Fitness Instructors?
John Porter Ph.D.: Grant writing is a very consistent business. It does not matter if the market is up or down or which party is in office. If the economy is down and money is tight, business tends to turn towards grant funding to supplement revenue. If the economy is strong, the company has a little extra cash and is willing to explore grant funding.
When unemployment rises and it isn't easy to find employment, more people will start their own business. If that business is a non-profit, it could receive grant funding for their programs and activities.
Grant writing is an excellent full-time, and part-time opportunity. Many, mostly non-profit organizations, seek Certified Grant Writers to help compensate for the lack of revenue, which has occurred from the recent economic shutdown. Independent Grant Consultants have a lot of control over the number and type of clients they work with, from a few each month to as many as there is time to do.
Certified Grant Writers are in high demand to compensate for issues like the recovery from the economic shutdown, rising taxes, and other financial strains,