Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
Martial arts instructor salary
Average martial arts instructor salary
$16.48
Average Martial Arts Instructor Salary
The average salary for a Martial Arts Instructor stands at approximately $34,287 annually, translating to about $16.48 per hour. Salaries can vary significantly based on factors such as location, years of experience, and the specific martial arts discipline taught.
Where Can a Martial Arts Instructor Earn More?
In states like California, New York, and Texas, instructors may find higher salaries due to increased demand and a higher cost of living. For instance, instructors in urban areas often command higher wages compared to those in rural locations.
Highest Paying Industries
Martial arts instructors are employed across various sectors, including gyms, schools, and community centers. The highest-paying roles often exist within specialized training facilities or private studios. Instructors who expand their skill set to include self-defense training or fitness coaching may also see increased earnings.
Conclusion
For aspiring martial arts instructors, understanding salary dynamics and regional differences is crucial for making informed career decisions. This information helps potential candidates evaluate job opportunities effectively and plan for future growth.
Let Zippia find your next martial arts instructor job
Let Zippia find your next martial arts instructor job
Where can a Martial Arts Instructor earn more?
Martial arts instructor salary estimates from across the web
Average martial arts instructor salary by state
The highest-paying states for martial arts instructors are Hawaii, New York, and New Jersey. The lowest average martial arts instructor salary states are Kentucky, Mississippi, and Arkansas.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for martial arts instructors
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hawaii | $48,743 | $23.43 |
| 2 | New Jersey | $44,218 | $21.26 |
| 3 | South Carolina | $36,762 | $17.67 |
| 4 | New York | $46,438 | $22.33 |
| 5 | Nevada | $35,796 | $17.21 |
| 6 | Louisiana | $35,863 | $17.24 |
| 7 | Colorado | $35,545 | $17.09 |
| 8 | West Virginia | $35,255 | $16.95 |
| 9 | Arizona | $35,488 | $17.06 |
| 10 | Florida | $35,360 | $17.00 |
| 11 | Massachusetts | $40,171 | $19.31 |
| 12 | Maine | $38,987 | $18.74 |
| 13 | Michigan | $33,888 | $16.29 |
| 14 | New Hampshire | $38,302 | $18.41 |
| 15 | Connecticut | $38,710 | $18.61 |
| 16 | Maryland | $36,159 | $17.38 |
| 17 | Indiana | $35,087 | $16.87 |
| 18 | California | $34,816 | $16.74 |
| 19 | Wisconsin | $33,887 | $16.29 |
| 20 | Virginia | $32,995 | $15.86 |
| 21 | Rhode Island | $33,450 | $16.08 |
| 22 | Idaho | $33,532 | $16.12 |
| 23 | South Dakota | $32,428 | $15.59 |
| 24 | North Dakota | $32,050 | $15.41 |
| 25 | Wyoming | $30,389 | $14.61 |
| 26 | Oklahoma | $33,241 | $15.98 |
| 27 | Vermont | $32,902 | $15.82 |
| 28 | Georgia | $30,882 | $14.85 |
| 29 | Montana | $31,637 | $15.21 |
| 30 | Utah | $31,727 | $15.25 |
| 31 | Texas | $31,709 | $15.24 |
| 32 | Minnesota | $32,835 | $15.79 |
| 33 | Delaware | $31,622 | $15.20 |
| 34 | Washington | $33,209 | $15.97 |
| 35 | Tennessee | $31,442 | $15.12 |
| 36 | Kansas | $31,068 | $14.94 |
| 37 | Ohio | $29,698 | $14.28 |
| 38 | Oregon | $29,739 | $14.30 |
| 39 | North Carolina | $28,521 | $13.71 |
| 40 | New Mexico | $29,234 | $14.05 |
| 41 | Pennsylvania | $29,484 | $14.18 |
| 42 | Illinois | $29,588 | $14.22 |
| 43 | Mississippi | $27,733 | $13.33 |
| 44 | Alaska | $23,970 | $11.52 |
| 45 | Kentucky | $28,407 | $13.66 |
| 46 | Nebraska | $29,333 | $14.10 |
| 47 | District of Columbia | $30,463 | $14.65 |
| 48 | Missouri | $29,609 | $14.24 |
| 49 | Iowa | $21,044 | $10.12 |
| 50 | Alabama | $26,796 | $12.88 |
| 51 | Arkansas | $27,374 | $13.16 |
Highest paying cities for martial arts instructors
The highest-paying cities for martial arts instructors are New York, NY, Boston, MA, and Greenville, SC.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New York, NY | $46,445 | $22.33 |
| 2 | Boston, MA | $40,178 | $19.32 |
| 3 | Greenville, SC | $36,260 | $17.43 |
| 4 | Silver Spring, MD | $35,852 | $17.24 |
| 5 | Fort Wayne, IN | $35,793 | $17.21 |
| 6 | Gilbert, AZ | $35,454 | $17.05 |
| 7 | Anaheim, CA | $35,147 | $16.90 |
| 8 | De Pere, WI | $34,679 | $16.67 |
| 9 | Leesburg, VA | $33,609 | $16.16 |
| 10 | Seattle, WA | $33,210 | $15.97 |
| 11 | Corpus Christi, TX | $33,205 | $15.96 |
| 12 | Bloomington, MN | $32,774 | $15.76 |
| 13 | Collierville, TN | $31,594 | $15.19 |
| 14 | Atlanta, GA | $30,732 | $14.78 |
| 15 | Concord, NC | $28,373 | $13.64 |
| 16 | Bettendorf, IA | $21,277 | $10.23 |
Martial arts instructor salary details
A martial arts instructor's salary ranges from $23,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $50,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is a martial arts instructor's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $50,000 | $4,167 | $24 |
| 75th Percentile | $42,000 | $3,500 | $20 |
| Average | $34,287 | $2,857 | $16 |
| 25th Percentile | $27,000 | $2,250 | $13 |
| 10th Percentile | $23,000 | $1,917 | $11 |
Highest paying martial arts instructor jobs
The highest paying types of martial arts instructors are voice teacher, private music instructor, and piano instructor.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dance Teacher | $47,909 | $3,992 | $23.03 | 71,355 |
| Instructor | $53,426 | $4,452 | $25.69 | 39,273 |
| Dance Instructor | $34,931 | $2,911 | $16.79 | 36,095 |
| Driving Instructor | $51,752 | $4,313 | $24.88 | 28,948 |
| Guitar Instructor | $46,506 | $3,875 | $22.36 | 24,514 |
| Piano Instructor | $53,474 | $4,456 | $25.71 | 24,512 |
Top companies hiring martial arts instructors now:
Which companies pay martial arts instructors the most?
Martial arts instructor salaries at University at Buffalo and Tapout Fitness are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average martial arts instructor salary at companies like Young Champions Of America and TKO Enterprises Ltd are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University at Buffalo | $50,457 | $24.26 |
| 2 | Tapout Fitness | $35,405 | $17.02 |
| 3 | Young Champions Of America | $34,062 | $16.38 |
| 4 | TKO Enterprises Ltd | $34,047 | $16.37 |
| 5 | Town of Leesburg, VA | $33,134 | $15.93 |
| 6 | Anaheim Family YMCA | $32,446 | $15.60 |
| 7 | YMCA of Greater Kansas City | $30,864 | $14.84 |
| 8 | City of Delaware, Ohio - Government | $26,361 | $12.67 |
| 9 | YMCA of Greater New York | $25,992 | $12.50 |
| 10 | YMCA of Greater Boston | $25,697 | $12.35 |
| 11 | YMCA of Austin | $24,282 | $11.67 |
| 12 | Scott County Family YMCA | $23,934 | $11.51 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
Martial Arts Instructor salary by industry
The average martial arts instructor salary varies across industries:
- The average martial arts instructor salary in the education industry is $36,569, the highest of any industry.
- The average martial arts instructor salary in the finance industry is $35,344.
- Martial arts instructors in the health care industry earn an average salary of $31,587, the lowest of any industry.
Highest paying industries for martial arts instructors
| Rank | Industry | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Education | $36,569 | $17.58 |
| 2 | Real Estate | $35,344 | $16.99 |
| 3 | Finance | $34,756 | $16.71 |
| 4 | Government | $34,286 | $16.48 |
| 5 | Manufacturing | $33,611 | $16.16 |
| 6 | Non Profits | $33,568 | $16.14 |
| 7 | Health Care | $31,587 | $15.19 |
High paying martial arts instructor jobs
Martial arts instructor salary trends
The average martial arts instructor salary has risen by $3,312 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average martial arts instructor earned $30,975 annually, but today, they earn $34,287 a year. That works out to a 7% change in pay for martial arts instructors over the last decade.
Compare martial arts instructor salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average martial arts instructor salary over time
Compare martial arts instructor salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
Martial arts instructor salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $34,300 | $16.48 | +1.9% |
| 2025 | $33,600 | $16.17 | +1.2% |
| 2024 | $33,200 | $15.97 | +0.7% |
| 2023 | $33,000 | $15.86 | +2.9% |
| 2022 | $32,000 | $15.40 | +1.7% |
Recently added martial arts instructor salaries
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oregon State University | Instructor (PAC) Pool : Martial Arts | Corvallis, OR | 06/27/2025 | $32,100 |
| Life Time Fitness | Martial Arts Instructor | Westchester, FL | 06/27/2025 | $34,436 |
| Premier Martial Arts Doral | Martial Arts Instructor | Doral, FL | 06/23/2025 | $42,000 |
| PMA Studios | Martial Arts Instructor | Everett, WA | 06/17/2025 | $37,566 |
| YMCA of The Pikes Peak Region | Martial Arts Instructor | Colorado Springs, CO | 05/24/2025 | $45,914 |
| YMCA of Western North Carolina | Martial Arts Instructor-Kids-Downtown Asheville Ymca | Asheville, NC | 05/24/2025 | $37,566 |
| Athletes Global Corporation | Martial Arts Instructor | Columbus, OH | 05/18/2025 | $56,349 |
| Oregon State University | Instructor (PAC) Pool : Martial Arts | Corvallis, OR | 05/17/2025 | $30,000 |
| Amazing Athletes Columbus | Preschool Martial Arts Instructor | Columbus, OH | 04/26/2025 | $31,305 |
| YMCA of Greater Boston | Martial Arts Instructor | Boston, MA | 03/24/2025 | $70,958 |
Martial arts instructor salary FAQs
Search for martial arts instructor jobs