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Physical education instructor vs fitness instructor

The differences between physical education instructors and 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 physical education instructor and a fitness instructor. Additionally, a physical education instructor has an average salary of $41,717, which is higher than the $35,495 average annual salary of a fitness instructor.

The top three skills for a physical education instructor include classroom management, CPR and health education. The most important skills for a fitness instructor are CPR, customer service, and work ethic.

Physical education instructor vs fitness instructor overview

Physical Education InstructorFitness Instructor
Yearly salary$41,717$35,495
Hourly rate$20.06$17.06
Growth rate19%19%
Number of jobs86,75531,212
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 72%Bachelor's Degree, 64%
Average age3737
Years of experience1212

Physical education instructor vs fitness instructor salary

Physical education instructors and fitness instructors have different pay scales, as shown below.

Physical Education InstructorFitness Instructor
Average salary$41,717$35,495
Salary rangeBetween $30,000 And $57,000Between $23,000 And $53,000
Highest paying CityBurlingame, CABerkeley, CA
Highest paying stateAlaskaCalifornia
Best paying companyCornell UniversityMassachusetts General Hospital
Best paying industryEducationEducation

Differences between physical education instructor and fitness instructor education

There are a few differences between a physical education instructor and a fitness instructor in terms of educational background:

Physical Education InstructorFitness Instructor
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 72%Bachelor's Degree, 64%
Most common majorHealth EducationKinesiology
Most common collegeUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel HillUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Physical education instructor vs fitness instructor demographics

Here are the differences between physical education instructors' and fitness instructors' demographics:

Physical Education InstructorFitness Instructor
Average age3737
Gender ratioMale, 65.5% Female, 34.5%Male, 32.2% Female, 67.8%
Race ratioBlack 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 Percentage13%13%

Differences between physical education instructor and fitness instructor duties and responsibilities

Physical education instructor example responsibilities.

  • Develop organize syllabus to direct students in achieving subject knowledge require for course completion.
  • Help t implement and test other students for IEP goals.
  • Head coach of several junior varsity and varsity sports, including football, softball and basketball.
  • Help with compliance to make sure softball and cross country student-athletes will be eligible once enroll.
  • Coach the after school sports program in cross-country, track and field, basketball, soccer and baseball.
  • Create lesson plans using activities to help students with specific disabilities and used that to create and IEP.
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Fitness instructor example responsibilities.

  • Provide market research and generate leads using social media (facebook) in order to target prospective clients.
  • Train in community water safety as well as deep water aerobics, first aid, life-guard assistance, and CPR.
  • Teach adult swimming lessons; staff lifeguard; implement department staff training
  • Step aerobic instructor, lifeguard and swim instructor, swim team coach.
  • Engage kids with a learning activity, and communicate achievements and behaviors to parents
  • Host and participate in company workshops, health fairs, and kids' day events.
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Physical education instructor vs fitness instructor skills

Common physical education instructor skills
  • Classroom Management, 15%
  • CPR, 9%
  • Health Education, 9%
  • Adaptive, 8%
  • Volleyball, 6%
  • Syllabus, 5%
Common fitness instructor skills
  • CPR, 25%
  • Customer Service, 17%
  • Work Ethic, 6%
  • Front Desk, 6%
  • Yoga, 6%
  • Cleanliness, 6%

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