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The differences between sports instructors and personal 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 sports instructor and a personal fitness trainer. Additionally, a personal fitness trainer has an average salary of $38,198, which is higher than the $35,285 average annual salary of a sports instructor.
The top three skills for a sports instructor include kids, CPR and customer service. The most important skills for a personal fitness trainer are CPR, program design, and customer service.
| Sports Instructor | Personal Fitness Trainer | |
| Yearly salary | $35,285 | $38,198 |
| Hourly rate | $16.96 | $18.36 |
| Growth rate | 19% | 19% |
| Number of jobs | 26,478 | 33,387 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 69% | Bachelor's Degree, 64% |
| 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.
Personal Fitness Trainers are responsible for developing fitness plans entailing exercise routines for groups and individuals. Their duties include determining clients' health and fitness levels, facilitating exercise regimen completions, monitoring physical progress, and implementing individualized exercise plans. They are responsible for undertaking group and individual training sessions, supervising proper fitness equipment, and educating on comprehensive training techniques. Personal Fitness Trainers also assist in providing consultation regarding nutrition, health, and weight control inquiries. They ensure safety regulations are adhered to and can perform first aid.
Sports instructors and personal fitness trainers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Sports Instructor | Personal Fitness Trainer | |
| Average salary | $35,285 | $38,198 |
| Salary range | Between $25,000 And $49,000 | Between $25,000 And $57,000 |
| Highest paying City | Boston, MA | - |
| Highest paying state | Massachusetts | - |
| Best paying company | University of California, Berkeley | - |
| Best paying industry | Education | - |
There are a few differences between a sports instructor and a personal fitness trainer in terms of educational background:
| Sports Instructor | Personal Fitness Trainer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 69% | Bachelor's Degree, 64% |
| 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 personal fitness trainers' demographics:
| Sports Instructor | Personal Fitness Trainer | |
| Average age | 37 | 37 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 64.3% Female, 35.7% | Male, 57.8% Female, 42.2% |
| 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% |