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Physical trainer vs personal trainer

The differences between physical trainers and personal 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 trainer and a personal trainer. Additionally, a personal trainer has an average salary of $37,214, which is higher than the $25,278 average annual salary of a physical trainer.

The top three skills for a physical trainer include physical therapy, strength training and soccer. The most important skills for a personal trainer are CPR, customer service, and resuscitation.

Physical trainer vs personal trainer overview

Physical TrainerPersonal Trainer
Yearly salary$25,278$37,214
Hourly rate$12.15$17.89
Growth rate19%19%
Number of jobs72,86534,023
Job satisfaction-5
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 61%Bachelor's Degree, 67%
Average age3737
Years of experience1212

Physical trainer vs personal trainer salary

Physical trainers and personal trainers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Physical TrainerPersonal Trainer
Average salary$25,278$37,214
Salary rangeBetween $17,000 And $35,000Between $26,000 And $53,000
Highest paying City-San Francisco, CA
Highest paying state-California
Best paying company-AEA Investors
Best paying industry-Retail

Differences between physical trainer and personal trainer education

There are a few differences between a physical trainer and a personal trainer in terms of educational background:

Physical TrainerPersonal Trainer
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 61%Bachelor's Degree, 67%
Most common majorKinesiologyKinesiology
Most common collegeUniversity of Michigan - Ann ArborUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Physical trainer vs personal trainer demographics

Here are the differences between physical trainers' and personal trainers' demographics:

Physical TrainerPersonal Trainer
Average age3737
Gender ratioMale, 67.2% Female, 32.8%Male, 63.3% Female, 36.7%
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 trainer and personal trainer duties and responsibilities

Physical trainer example responsibilities.

  • Manage various football, basketball, and speed camps while conveying the importance of self-motivation.
  • Receive NASM certification for personal training service.
  • Create feedback and progress reports regarding development for on boarding new associates and provide official information on a SharePoint database.
  • Create original TRX classes and encourage inactive members to participate consistently.

Personal trainer example responsibilities.

  • Help clients achieve fitness goals through diet and heavy weight lifting with HIIT cardio.
  • Achieve high customer satisfaction and budget efficiency in the group fitness department and yoga department.
  • Provide market research and generate leads using social media (facebook) in order to target prospective clients.
  • Shape the social media aspect of the facility which include Facebook and Instagram.
  • Ensure trainers and team members are consistent in punctuality, dress code, compliance, and customer service.
  • Follow ACSM guidelines ensuring safe and healthy exercise technique for strength training and cardiovascular activity.
  • Show more

Physical trainer vs personal trainer skills

Common physical trainer skills
  • Physical Therapy, 45%
  • Strength Training, 12%
  • Soccer, 12%
  • Weight Loss, 8%
  • Training Sessions, 8%
  • Front Desk, 8%
Common personal trainer skills
  • CPR, 23%
  • Customer Service, 21%
  • Resuscitation, 7%
  • Fitness Programs, 7%
  • NASM, 5%
  • Physical Fitness, 4%

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