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Physical education instructor vs fitness trainer

The differences between physical education instructors and fitness trainers 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 trainer. Additionally, a physical education instructor has an average salary of $41,717, which is higher than the $28,702 average annual salary of a fitness trainer.

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

Physical education instructor vs fitness trainer overview

Physical Education InstructorFitness Trainer
Yearly salary$41,717$28,702
Hourly rate$20.06$13.80
Growth rate19%19%
Number of jobs86,75523,881
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 72%Bachelor's Degree, 59%
Average age3737
Years of experience1212

Physical education instructor vs fitness trainer salary

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

Physical Education InstructorFitness Trainer
Average salary$41,717$28,702
Salary rangeBetween $30,000 And $57,000Between $19,000 And $41,000
Highest paying CityBurlingame, CASan Francisco, CA
Highest paying stateAlaskaHawaii
Best paying companyCornell UniversityKohler Co.
Best paying industryEducationHospitality

Differences between physical education instructor and fitness trainer education

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

Physical Education InstructorFitness Trainer
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 72%Bachelor's Degree, 59%
Most common majorHealth EducationKinesiology
Most common collegeUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel HillUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Physical education instructor vs fitness trainer demographics

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

Physical Education InstructorFitness Trainer
Average age3737
Gender ratioMale, 65.5% Female, 34.5%Male, 59.8% Female, 40.2%
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 trainer 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 trainer example responsibilities.

  • Provide market research and generate leads using social media (facebook) in order to target prospective clients.
  • Monitor the swimming area and CPR certify.
  • Certify for CPR and a and always have first aid available.
  • Improve the cleanliness of the community recreations centers by implementing an hourly maintenance and cleaning schedule.
  • Maintain fitness center cleanliness while assisting members.
  • Assist in the cardiac rehabilitation clinic which include implementing progressive rehabilitation methods with education for long term health and wellness.
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Physical education instructor vs fitness trainer skills

Common physical education instructor skills
  • Classroom Management, 15%
  • CPR, 9%
  • Health Education, 9%
  • Adaptive, 8%
  • Volleyball, 6%
  • Syllabus, 5%
Common fitness trainer skills
  • Customer Service, 31%
  • Front Desk, 28%
  • CPR, 24%
  • Cleanliness, 6%
  • Physical Fitness, 2%
  • Fitness Equipment, 1%

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