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Group exercise instructor salary
Average group exercise instructor salary
$16.51
Understanding Group Exercise Instructor Salaries
As of October 2025, Group Exercise Instructors typically earn an average salary of $34,348 annually. This figure can vary based on several factors including location, level of experience, and the type of fitness classes taught. For instance, instructors in metropolitan areas may see higher wages due to increased demand for fitness services.
Salary by State
In certain states, such as California and New York, salaries for Group Exercise Instructors can exceed the national average significantly. In contrast, rural areas may offer lower compensation. It’s essential for prospective instructors to research local job markets to determine potential earnings.
Opportunities for Advancement
Instructors can also increase their earnings by obtaining specialized certifications or expanding their skill set in areas like personal training or nutrition coaching. These additional qualifications often lead to higher-paying positions within gyms, wellness centers, or private studios.
Job Market Insights
The job outlook for Group Exercise Instructors remains positive, driven by a growing awareness of health and fitness. Many facilities are actively seeking qualified instructors, creating a competitive job market. Networking and continuing education can provide an edge in securing desirable positions.
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Where can a Group Exercise Instructor earn more?
Group exercise instructor salary estimates from across the web
Average group exercise instructor salary by state
The average group exercise instructor salary in California, Hawaii, and Washington are the highest in the U.S. The lowest average group exercise instructor salary states are Idaho, South Dakota, and Alabama.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for group exercise instructors
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | $52,306 | $25.15 |
| 2 | Alaska | $42,192 | $20.28 |
| 3 | Nevada | $38,624 | $18.57 |
| 4 | Hawaii | $46,066 | $22.15 |
| 5 | Texas | $39,928 | $19.20 |
| 6 | Maryland | $40,423 | $19.43 |
| 7 | Washington | $42,505 | $20.44 |
| 8 | Arizona | $37,881 | $18.21 |
| 9 | North Carolina | $32,751 | $15.75 |
| 10 | Wyoming | $31,931 | $15.35 |
| 11 | Utah | $35,697 | $17.16 |
| 12 | Colorado | $33,609 | $16.16 |
| 13 | Massachusetts | $35,190 | $16.92 |
| 14 | Rhode Island | $33,086 | $15.91 |
| 15 | Mississippi | $34,448 | $16.56 |
| 16 | Oregon | $32,920 | $15.83 |
| 17 | Florida | $33,616 | $16.16 |
| 18 | Illinois | $33,655 | $16.18 |
| 19 | Kentucky | $32,042 | $15.40 |
| 20 | Virginia | $33,256 | $15.99 |
| 21 | Georgia | $31,680 | $15.23 |
| 22 | New Hampshire | $33,520 | $16.12 |
| 23 | South Carolina | $30,641 | $14.73 |
| 24 | West Virginia | $31,907 | $15.34 |
| 25 | North Dakota | $30,907 | $14.86 |
| 26 | Connecticut | $31,764 | $15.27 |
| 27 | Delaware | $30,284 | $14.56 |
| 28 | Maine | $31,356 | $15.07 |
| 29 | Vermont | $31,474 | $15.13 |
| 30 | New Jersey | $29,078 | $13.98 |
| 31 | Louisiana | $29,187 | $14.03 |
| 32 | District of Columbia | $33,626 | $16.17 |
| 33 | New Mexico | $29,362 | $14.12 |
| 34 | Oklahoma | $30,303 | $14.57 |
| 35 | Montana | $26,205 | $12.60 |
| 36 | Indiana | $28,789 | $13.84 |
| 37 | New York | $26,521 | $12.75 |
| 38 | Pennsylvania | $28,383 | $13.65 |
| 39 | Tennessee | $28,042 | $13.48 |
| 40 | Minnesota | $27,935 | $13.43 |
| 41 | Michigan | $25,799 | $12.40 |
| 42 | Kansas | $28,170 | $13.54 |
| 43 | Wisconsin | $27,149 | $13.05 |
| 44 | South Dakota | $24,599 | $11.83 |
| 45 | Iowa | $22,284 | $10.71 |
| 46 | Arkansas | $26,108 | $12.55 |
| 47 | Idaho | $24,911 | $11.98 |
| 48 | Missouri | $24,948 | $11.99 |
| 49 | Alabama | $23,890 | $11.49 |
| 50 | Ohio | $18,984 | $9.13 |
| 51 | Nebraska | $22,994 | $11.05 |
Highest paying cities for group exercise instructors
The highest-paying cities for group exercise instructors are Los Angeles, CA, New Braunfels, TX, and Boston, MA.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Los Angeles, CA | $52,234 | $25.11 |
| 2 | New Braunfels, TX | $40,905 | $19.67 |
| 3 | Boston, MA | $35,110 | $16.88 |
| 4 | Largo, FL | $33,864 | $16.28 |
| 5 | Orland Park, IL | $33,661 | $16.18 |
| 6 | Littleton, CO | $33,627 | $16.17 |
| 7 | Richmond, VA | $33,186 | $15.95 |
| 8 | Salem, OR | $33,010 | $15.87 |
| 9 | Greenville, NC | $32,997 | $15.86 |
| 10 | Atlanta, GA | $31,390 | $15.09 |
| 11 | Greenville, SC | $30,016 | $14.43 |
| 12 | Cherry Hill, NJ | $29,264 | $14.07 |
| 13 | Philadelphia, PA | $28,614 | $13.76 |
| 14 | Kansas City, KS | $27,544 | $13.24 |
| 15 | New York, NY | $26,629 | $12.80 |
| 16 | Kansas City, MO | $24,916 | $11.98 |
| 17 | Idaho Falls, ID | $23,755 | $11.42 |
| 18 | Cleveland, OH | $18,939 | $9.11 |
Group exercise instructor salary details
A group exercise instructor's salary ranges from $22,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $53,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is a group exercise instructor's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $53,000 | $4,417 | $25 |
| 75th Percentile | $43,000 | $3,583 | $21 |
| Average | $34,348 | $2,862 | $17 |
| 25th Percentile | $27,000 | $2,250 | $13 |
| 10th Percentile | $22,000 | $1,833 | $11 |
Highest paying group exercise instructor jobs
The highest paying types of group exercise instructors are manager/personal trainer, instructor, and fitness director.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fitness Coach | $38,462 | $3,205 | $18.49 | 22,156 |
| Life Skills Trainer | $30,822 | $2,569 | $14.82 | 39,666 |
| Fitness Trainer | $28,702 | $2,392 | $13.80 | 23,881 |
| Skills Trainer | $32,779 | $2,732 | $15.76 | 21,389 |
| Fitness Attendant | $29,331 | $2,444 | $14.10 | 50,892 |
| Manager/Personal Trainer | $63,117 | $5,260 | $30.34 | 32,592 |
Top companies hiring group exercise instructors now:
Which companies pay group exercise instructors the most?
Group exercise instructor salaries at Massachusetts General Hospital and Hancock Wellness are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average group exercise instructor salary at companies like ProMedica Toledo Hospital and Baptist Health South Florida are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Massachusetts General Hospital | $58,227 | $27.99 |
| 2 | Hancock Wellness | $57,662 | $27.72 |
| 3 | ProMedica Toledo Hospital | $52,934 | $25.45 |
| 4 | Baptist Health Home Care | $48,499 | $23.32 |
| 5 | Salem State University | $48,465 | $23.30 |
| 6 | City of Lakewood | $47,957 | $23.06 |
| 7 | La Paloma Urgent Care & Physician Offices | $46,139 | $22.18 |
| 8 | YMCA Camp Ockanickon | $45,360 | $21.81 |
| 9 | Parker Hannifin | $44,781 | $21.53 |
| 10 | NCH Healthcare System | $44,762 | $21.52 |
| 11 | University of California | $44,574 | $21.43 |
| 12 | Regency Nursing and Rehabilitation Centers | $43,060 | $20.70 |
| 13 | Southwest General | $42,916 | $20.63 |
| 14 | Healthtrax | $42,779 | $20.57 |
| 15 | Brick Bodies Fitness Services | $42,446 | $20.41 |
| 16 | All Sport Health & Fitness | $41,807 | $20.10 |
| 17 | VillaSport Athletic Club and Spa | $41,796 | $20.09 |
| 18 | Medical University of South Carolina | $41,512 | $19.96 |
| 19 | City of Renton | $41,352 | $19.88 |
| 20 | Chuze Fitness | $41,096 | $19.76 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
Group Exercise Instructor salary by industry
The average group exercise instructor salary varies across industries:
- The average group exercise instructor salary in the education industry is $41,459, the highest of any industry.
- The average group exercise instructor salary in the finance industry is $34,995.
- Group exercise instructors in the non profits industry earn an average salary of $31,806, the lowest of any industry.
Highest paying industries for group exercise instructors
| Rank | Industry | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Education | $41,459 | $19.93 |
| 2 | Health Care | $34,995 | $16.82 |
| 3 | Government | $33,452 | $16.08 |
| 4 | Hospitality | $31,866 | $15.32 |
| 5 | Non Profits | $31,806 | $15.29 |
High paying group exercise instructor jobs
Group exercise instructor salary trends
The average group exercise instructor salary has risen by $8,038 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average group exercise instructor earned $26,310 annually, but today, they earn $34,348 a year. That works out to a 6% change in pay for group exercise instructors over the last decade.
Compare group exercise instructor salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average group exercise instructor salary over time
Compare group exercise instructor salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
Group exercise instructor salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $34,300 | $16.51 | +0.3% |
| 2024 | $34,200 | $16.46 | +1.4% |
| 2023 | $33,800 | $16.23 | +1.5% |
| 2022 | $33,200 | $15.98 | +2.7% |
| 2021 | $32,400 | $15.56 | +5.2% |
Recently added group exercise instructor salaries
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Two Rivers YMCA | Group Exercise Instructor | East Moline, IL | 06/30/2025 | $33,392 |
| Get It Recruit-Educational Services | Group Instructor-Remote | WFH | Euless, TX | 06/29/2025 | $31,305 |
| Fwymca | Group Exercise Instructor-Jorgensen Family Ymca | Fort Wayne, IN | 06/29/2025 | $25,962 |
| Ymca of Greater Fort Wayne | Group Exercise Instructor-Jorgensen Family Ymca | Fort Wayne, IN | 06/27/2025 | $25,962 |
| City of Fishers | Group Exercise Instructor | Fishers, IN | 06/27/2025 | $31,305 |
| YMCA of Honolulu | Group Exercise Instructor-Xtreme Hip Hop | Kailua, HI | 06/27/2025 | $43,827 |
| Elevation Corporate Health | Group Exercise Instructor-Contractor | Crosby, TX | 06/26/2025 | $73,045 |
| Mount Wachusett Community College | Group Exercise Instructor-Mount Fitness (Pool)-Mount Wachusett Community College | Gardner, MA | 06/23/2025 | $53,219 |
| YMCA of West Central Florida | Group Exercise Instructor | Lakeland, FL | 06/22/2025 | $35,479 |
| YMCA of Delaware | Group Exercise Instructor-Central Location | Wilmington, DE | 06/21/2025 | $34,916 |
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