Unlock Your Earning Potential:
Personal Trainer Salaries Across the US

Explore personal trainer salaries across the United States with NASM's Interactive Salary Guide. Our regional analysis reveals state-specific income trends, helping you shape your career strategy more effectively and gain a competitive edge in the fitness and wellness industry.

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PERSONAL TRAINER SALARIES AND OPPORTUNITIES BY WORKPLACE

Discover how the workplace impacts personal trainer salaries and opportunities. From gyms to corporate wellness programs to private practices, each offers unique financial and professional advantages. Explore which path best aligns with your career goals.

Gyms and Fitness Centers
Corporate Wellness Programs
INDEPENDENT PERSONAL TRAINER
 
Salary Range:

Personal trainers in gyms and fitness centers typically earn $20-$35 per hour, with the potential for higher earnings based on location, experience, and client base. NASM certified trainers often command higher rates, with an impressive average of $61 per hour. Trainers can boost their hourly rates through client retention, additional certifications, and performance bonuses.

Opportunities:

Working in a gym often provides trainers with a steady flow of potential clients, state-of-the-art equipment, and opportunities for professional development through gym-sponsored training programs. Trainers can also benefit from networking with other fitness professionals and gaining experience with a diverse clientele.

THE NASM ADVANTAGE:

With over 35 years of experience and 1.5 million professionals trained across 100+ countries, NASM credentials distinguish you as a highly skilled fitness expert. Our extensive partnerships with 12,000+ gyms and health clubs provide valuable connections, helping you launch your career with top fitness companies. NASM certification boosts your earning potential and opens doors to prime employment opportunities in the fitness industry.

 
Salary Range:

Personal trainers in corporate and wellness programs typically earn $50-$150 per hour, with the potential for higher earnings based on experience, program scope, and company size. NASM certified trainers often command premium rates in this specialized field, with some experienced professionals earning over $100,000 annually. Trainers can boost their income through additional services like workshops, seminars, and consulting.

Opportunities:

Corporate wellness roles offer diverse career paths, such as on-site fitness coordinator, wellness program manager, or health coach. These positions often provide stable schedules and benefits, allowing trainers to develop comprehensive wellness initiatives. Trainers can expand beyond fitness to areas li ke stress management workshops, nutrition consulting, and mental health support. There's also potential for advancement into corporate health leadership roles or developing innovative wellness technologies for employee engagement.

THE NASM ADVANTAGE:

NASM certification equips trainers with the advanced knowledge and credibility crucial for success in corporate and wellness environments. Our specialized courses in behavior change, nutrition, and group training are particularly valuable for developing effective corporate wellness programs. NASM's reputation enhances your professional standing, helping you secure and excel in rewarding corporate wellness positions.

 
Salary Range:

Independent personal trainers typically earn $50-$100+ per hour, with the potential for higher earnings based on reputation, location, and specialization. NASM certified trainers often command premium rates due to their recognized expertise. Trainers can increase their income through specialized services, package deals, and building a strong client base.

Opportunities:

Independent practice offers trainers the freedom to set their own schedules, choose their clients, and develop specialized programs. Trainers can work from various locations (home studios, client homes, parks, or virtually), allowing for diverse work environments. There's also potential for business growth through hiring other trainers or expanding into group fitness classes.

THE NASM ADVANTAGE:

NASM certification provides independent trainers with comprehensive education and business skills crucial for success. Our programs offer specialized courses in nutrition, corrective exercise, and business development, giving you the tools to stand out in a competitive market. NASM's reputation enhances your credibility, helping you attract and retain high-value clients in your independent practice.

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Become an NASM Certified Personal Trainer

FAQ

As one of the most trusted sources of fitness training certifications in the world, NASM is a distinguished name that will stand out to fitness employers. When you choose NASM for your Personal Trainer certification, you’ll get access to world-class fitness experts, your top choice of gyms to work for, and much more:


  • • Peer-Reviewed Content from the Brightest Minds in the Industry

  • • State-of-the-Art Digital Learning Platform

  • • Programs Designed to Meet Multiple Learning Styles

  • • 35+ Years Of Experience Training Fitness Professionals

  • • 1.5M+ Fitness Professionals Trained

  • • 100+ Countries with NASM Fitness and Coach Professionals

  • • 12K+ Gym & Health Club Partnerships

  • • Optional NCCA Accreditation

  • • NCCA-Accredited Certification includes optional add-ons like Job Guarantee Program, Gymternship™, lifetime recertifications, and more

You must have a high school degree or GED. You're also required to have a current CPR and AED certification before you take the exam. For your convenience, NASM offers an online CPR/AED Certification.

You can complete your personal training certification in as few as 4 weeks. In addition to its interactive multimedia-rich content, learning tools, resources, and comprehensive study-planning guide, you can also receive assistance from NASM experts when questions arise.

Absolutely! You can complete this program and become a Certified Personal Trainer while also working full-time. The study material is 100% online and self-paced, and can be accessed on a computer, or a mobile device such as a phone or tablet.

You have the choice between two exams—a non-proctored Certificate exam, and a proctored NCCA-Accredited Certification exam. Here are some of the major differences between the two:


  • • The non-proctored exam has 100 questions; the proctored exam has 120 questions.

  • • You have 3 hours to complete the non-proctored exam; you have 2 hours to complete the proctored exam.

  • • The non-proctored exam is open-book; the proctored exam is not.

  • • The non-proctored exam confers a Certificate as a Personal Trainer; the proctored exam confers an NCCA-Accredited Certification as a Personal Trainer.

The choice of exam is up to you and in most cases simply depends on what your employer requires.

The non-proctored, online-only exam contains 100 questions that must be answered within 3 hours. This exam is open-book, meaning you can refer to your study materials.


The proctored, NCCA-Accredited exam contains 120 questions that must be answered within 2 hours. This exam is closed-book, so you cannot refer to your study materials.


You will have 180 days from the date of registration to take either of the exam options. An extension for the exam can be purchased by contacting NASM Member Services at 1-800-460-6276.

The non-proctored exam is administered online only.


The proctored, NCCA-Accredited exam can be taken online or in-person. For more information click here.

For the non-proctored exam, you have 3 attempts to pass. If you do not pass after 3 attempts, a retest can be purchased by calling NASM Member Services at 1-800-460-6276.


For the proctored, NCCA-Accredited exam, you have one attempt to pass. A retest can be purchased by calling NASM Member Services at 1-800-460-6276. A retest is also included with the Premium Self Study and All-Inclusive programs.

You must recertify every two years to ensure that your Personal Trainer certification remains up-to-date with current best-practice guidelines and skills. You will be required to earn 2.0 NASM approved continuing education units (CEUs) every two-year period, which includes 1.9 CEUs from a specialization program and 0.1 CEUs from the mandatory CPR/AED certification.

We source our salary data from Ziprecruiter.com, an online job marketplace that connects job seekers with employers.