Income is an essential aspect of any profession. It gives us insight and tells us if the profession is lucrative and if we can earn enough money to live a normal life.
One of the first questions personal trainers have is, “How much can I expect to earn?” which is normal because passion and professional fulfillment don’t pay our bills, unfortunately.
So, if you’re looking for an answer to this question, read on because we are breaking it all down today. Plus, we’ll review some crucial factors influencing your earnings potential.
How Much Do Personal Trainers Earn?
The average personal trainer salary in 2023 is:
- $53,540 in the US
- £39,888 in the UK
- $58,060 in Canada
- $65,000 to $82,000+ in Australia (based on different reports)
Location can significantly affect annual salary, with personal trainers in more populated cities earning 50 to 100 percent more than fitness professionals in more rural areas.
The Average Personal Training Salary in 2024
The US
According to a report by Indeed.com, the average base hourly salary for personal trainers in the US is $27.96. The range goes from as low as $15.39 to as high as $50.80.
Based on this calculator, this average hourly wage equates to $55,920 annual earnings for someone working 50 weeks, 40 hours per week.
Some of the highest-paying cities for personal trainers in the US include:
- Washington – $43.93 per hour
- New York – $34.74 per hour
- Chicago – $32.19 per hour
In certain states, including New Mexico, Kansas, North & South Carolina, and Kentucky, the average salary can be 10 or even 15 percent less than the average across the US.
The UK
According to GlassDoor, the average personal trainer salary in the UK is £38,314 per year, with additional cash compensations of up to £10,309.
Just as in the US, location matters, as the annual salary ranges from about £20,000 to £70,000. Trainers in London earn an average yearly salary of £43,986, whereas those in less popular areas like Nottingham earn far less: £26,955.
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Canada
According to Indeed.com, the average hourly salary for personal trainers in Canada is $29.35, or slightly above what trainers earn in the US.
According to the same calculator we used above, that translates to an annual average salary of $58,700.
Some of the cities with the highest average personal trainer salaries include:
- Vancouver – $34.94 per hour
- Surrey – $34.04 per hour
- Edmonton – $32.48 per hour
- Greater Sudbury – $30.06 per hour
Australia
Lastly, we’ll take a look at our friends down under. According to Seek, Australia’s average personal trainer salary ranges between $70,000 and $90,000.
Another source suggests the average to be higher at $78,000 per year, or $40 per hour. Based on data from this page, entry-level positions start from $63,375, where experienced and established trainers can earn up to $122,246 per year.
Interestingly, Indeed.com reports the average salary (last updated February 1, based on 1,200+ reported salaries) to be $82,351 per year, or an impressive $60.65 per hour.
Some of the cities with the highest average salary include:
- Glen Waverley – $102 per hour
- Prahran – $89.51 per hour
- Deepdene – $87.24 per hour
- Perth – $67.09 per hour
7 Factors That Influence Personal Training Income
1. Location
As we saw previously, location is perhaps the most significant factor influencing personal trainer salaries. Trainers can earn significantly more in populated areas like London, Washington, Vancouver, and Perth, which makes sense.
The standard of living in more popular cities is higher, and people can afford to pay more for non-essential things like personal training and maintaining a gym membership.
In contrast, trainers earn significantly less for doing the same job in a rural area, where living standards are lower and fewer clients are available.
2. Place of Employment
Just as location is a factor, so is the exact place of employment. We must remember that we are mostly looking at average salaries, but that doesn’t mean every trainer can expect to earn that amount.
Even trainers in popular cities like New York can struggle to make decent money if they work at places notorious for paying low wages to employees.
To that end, some good companies that pay well include:
- Fitness First – $103/hour (Australia)
- Goodlife Health Clubs Australia – $74.03/hour
- Orangetheory Fitness – $40.55/hour (Canada)
- Body + Soul Fitness – $34.38/hour (Canada)
- Equinox – £19/hour (the UK)
- Orangetheory Fitness – $41.75/hour (the US)
- GYMGUYZ – $36.42/hour (the US)
3. Certifications and Education
A personal trainer certification is not mandatory for working in the field. However, not having one would make finding work at a decent gym nearly impossible.
Instead, you might have to take a low-paying personal training job with far less exposure to potential clients.
While certified personal trainers are not necessarily skilled, knowledgeable, or competent, they are perceived as such by potential employers and clients. A certification means the person has done at least something to improve themselves and serve clients better.
Higher education, such as a degree in exercise science, can also boost one’s reputation in the fitness industry and help that person land a better-paying job.
4. Experience and Reputation
The amount of money a private personal trainer can earn will depend heavily on their experience and reputation in the fitness industry.
Like with all other career paths, someone with more experience and an established reputation can sign new clients more easily and get them to pay more for a training session, workout plan, etc.
In contrast, entry-level personal trainers must be more patient, focus on their craft, and gradually expand their roster to make good money.
5. Specialization
The typical personal trainer salary applies to professionals with a certification from an organization like the NASM or ACE. These are the most common trainers who typically coach everyday folks who want to build muscle and strength while shedding fat.
However, a fitness professional specializing in a particular field could help people with more nuanced needs overcome problems and lead more fulfilling lives.
For example, according to a report by Salary.com, the average sports therapist in the US earns $83,411 per year, a whopping $27,491 more than the average personal trainer.
Also, it’s worth noting that specializing takes longer and requires a more significant upfront investment, which dissuades more people. Less competition means you can more easily establish yourself and thrive.
In contrast, anyone with a high school diploma and a CPR/AED certification can enroll in a PT certification program for as little as $600, complete it in a few months, and land a job at a gym.
6. Marketing Efforts
Love it or hate it, marketing is essential, especially these days. The fitness industry is saturated, and everyone is fighting for a piece of the pie.
What sets successful personal trainers apart from unsuccessful ones has more to do with their ability to market themselves than their actual skillset or knowledge. It’s unfortunate, but that is how things are, and we must play the game to succeed.
Trainers who know how to market themselves well can get their name in front of more people, sign new clients more easily, and gain momentum. In contrast, those relying solely on the quality of their services are more likely to hit a wall and struggle to expand beyond a certain point.
To be clear, the quality of your services is crucial, but it’s also irrelevant if people don’t know you exist.
There are plenty of ways to market yourself. Focus on these key areas:
- Determine your target audience
- Understand your ideal client’s needs
- Clarify your unique value proposition (UVP)
- Craft a compelling brand story
- Tailor your marketing messages accordingly
Further reading: How to Advertise Myself as a Personal Trainer? (4 Key Areas to Focus On)
7. Offering Additional Services
The typical personal trainer salary might seem insufficient to support your lifestyle where you live. Fortunately, that doesn’t mean you should immediately consider another career path.
The beauty of the personal training industry is that professionals can expand their services and branch out as time goes on. For example, a personal trainer could start with in-person training sessions and gradually introduce:
- Online coaching, such as with a platform like Hevy Coach
- Selling workout plans
- Providing nutritional guidance and meal plans
These and other additional services allow you to expand your personal training business more easily by earning more from your clients.
The tactic is similar to the one used by multi-billion dollar brands like McDonald’s. The simple question “Would you like fries with that?” is brilliant because it leads to effortless upselling and more revenue.
Instead of fighting for more clients, you can find creative ways to earn more from your existing ones and not rely on marketing and word-of-mouth advertising to keep growing.
Excited About Becoming a Trainer But Not Sure Where to Start?
Embarking on your personal trainer career path might be exciting, but it can also feel scary because multiple questions arise:
- Do I need personal training certifications? If so, which one is best?
- How much does it cost?
- How long does it take to become a certified personal trainer?
- What is personal trainer insurance, and do I need it?
- How should I advertise myself, and how do I track my return on investment (ROI)?
These and many other questions can quickly make it feel like becoming an independent personal trainer is too challenging, which isn’t really the case. Does it happen overnight? No, but it’s certainly easier to understand and do than most people imagine.
Since we’ve mentioned these questions, let’s quickly go over some of them below:
Personal Training Certification
Yes, it’s best to have a certification because it opens more doors and makes people perceive you as more professional and knowledgeable. We’ve written extensively on the topic here and here if you want to educate yourself on the topic.
The short version is that you can pick from six primary certification programs: ACE, ISSA, NASM, ACSM, NSCA, and NCSF. Each can be good, depending on your budget, what you want to learn, and how much time you’d be willing to invest in your education.
Personal training certification costs around $999 but can be as low as $400. Some packages include the certification exam in the price, whereas others don’t, so it’s best to calculate any additional expenses you may encounter.
Some potential expenses include getting a CPR/AED certification, commuting for in-person classes, and paying to retake the exam if you fail the first time.
Most people can become certified in less than six months if they apply themselves by studying every day and taking practice exams.
Personal Training Insurance
While many personal trainers don’t see a real value in insurance, having it is essential because it offers protection from potential liability claims, such as if a client gets injured or doesn’t get the desired results.
More complex insurance plans can cover property damage, stolen equipment, and employee compensation in case of an injury or illness.
General liability insurance is the most straightforward option for trainers because it offers adequate protection in the most common scenarios. However, if you decide to employ others, rent or lease a space, and purchase your equipment, it’s best to get additional coverage in case of theft, vandalism, or natural disasters.
Final Words
Certified personal trainers can earn good money. According to Forbes data, the average salary for PTs in the US is $55,920, which is almost $6,000 below the nationwide average wage.
The same is true for personal trainers in other parts of the world, including the UK, Australia, and Canada. While the base pay isn’t the best, especially for entry-level personal trainers, there is room for growth.
Those interested in making personal training their career can increase their influence and growth potential by providing excellent service, upselling intelligently, and transitioning from traditional employment to owning their business.
There is also an opportunity to transition to online personal training or work with clients over the web and in person (hybrid personal training), but that’s a topic for another day.
Trainers willing to take calculated risks, think outside the box, and find ways to earn more from each client (assuming the situation is a win-win for the trainer and client) can earn more than a decent income and thrive in the industry.
Check out Hevy Coach before you go. This all-in-one platform allows trainers and coaches to put together training programs quickly, assign them to clients, and track their performance and adherence. It also makes it effortless to change things on the go.
Try Hevy Coach
Intuitive personal trainer software, with a world class experience for your clients.
30 day free trial, no credit card required
FAQs
1. Do personal trainers make good money?
Personal trainers can earn good money, but it requires patience to build a reputation in the industry and expand one’s client roster. Professionals can also use strategic upsells to earn more from their clients, creating win-win scenarios.
2. Which gyms pay the most to personal trainers?
Some of the best-paying gym facilities include VIDA Fitness, Orangetheory Fitness, and Fitness Formula Clubs (FFC).
3. What else can you do as a trainer to earn more?
Trainers can offer ongoing support through online communication, sell training plans, provide nutritional guidance to clients, and expand their roster through online coaching to earn more.
