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The differences between sports instructors and fitness specialists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 6-12 months to become both a sports instructor and a fitness specialist. Additionally, a sports instructor has an average salary of $35,285, which is higher than the $32,472 average annual salary of a fitness specialist.
The top three skills for a sports instructor include kids, CPR and customer service. The most important skills for a fitness specialist are CPR, fitness assessments, and ACSM.
| Sports Instructor | Fitness Specialist | |
| Yearly salary | $35,285 | $32,472 |
| Hourly rate | $16.96 | $15.61 |
| Growth rate | 19% | 19% |
| Number of jobs | 26,478 | 28,175 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 69% | Bachelor's Degree, 71% |
| Average age | 37 | 37 |
| Years of experience | 12 | 12 |
Sports Instructors are in charge of exhibiting and describing the rules and skills of specific sports to individuals or groups. Typically, they work at recreational facilities and community centers. They assist beginners to comprehend the basic rules, grips, movements, stances, and techniques of a game. Also, they usually help accomplished athletes to improve their skills. They also give appropriate instructions and trainings on a sport as well as develop and aim strategies to enhance performance.
A Fitness Specialist is focused on promoting a healthy lifestyle through exercise and working with clients in various settings. They teach individuals or groups how to properly perform exercises and use exercise equipment.
Sports instructors and fitness specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Sports Instructor | Fitness Specialist | |
| Average salary | $35,285 | $32,472 |
| Salary range | Between $25,000 And $49,000 | Between $24,000 And $42,000 |
| Highest paying City | Boston, MA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | Massachusetts | California |
| Best paying company | University of California, Berkeley | University Settlement |
| Best paying industry | Education | Education |
There are a few differences between a sports instructor and a fitness specialist in terms of educational background:
| Sports Instructor | Fitness Specialist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 69% | Bachelor's Degree, 71% |
| Most common major | Kinesiology | Kinesiology |
| Most common college | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill |
Here are the differences between sports instructors' and fitness specialists' demographics:
| Sports Instructor | Fitness Specialist | |
| Average age | 37 | 37 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 64.3% Female, 35.7% | Male, 44.8% Female, 55.2% |
| Race ratio | 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% | 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 Percentage | 13% | 13% |