How Much Personal Trainers Make in 2025 (10+ Sources)

In this article, we’ll discuss personal training salaries, income potential in the US, Canada, the UK, and Australia, and how factors like location and your place of employment impact your earnings. 

We’ll also discuss additional ways to earn extra income and set yourself up for a higher salary in the future.

How Much Do Personal Trainers Make in 2025?

The average base personal trainer salary in 2025 is:

• $46,700 in the US
• £27,700 in the UK
• $49,200 in Canada
• $81,100 in Australia

Location can significantly affect annual salary, with personal trainers in more populated cities earning 50 to 100% more than fitness professionals in more rural areas.

Personal Trainer Salary by Country (2025 Update)

The US

According to a report by Indeed.com, the average base hourly pay for personal trainers in the US is $28.85. The range goes from as low as $14.99 to as high as $55.55. This is approximately $46,700 per year.

Some of the highest-paying cities for personal trainers in the US include:

• Washington – $36.50 per hour
• New York – $35.21 per hour
• Chicago – $38.26 per hour

In certain states, including New Mexico, Kansas, North & South Carolina, and Kentucky, the average salary can be 10 or even 15% less than the average across the US. 

The UK

According to GlassDoor, the average personal trainer salary in the UK is £27,700 per year, with additional cash compensations of £8,000.

As in the US, location matters, as the annual salary ranges from about £20,000 to £50,000. Trainers in London earn an average yearly salary of £41,000, whereas those in less popular areas like Nottingham earn far less: £27,000.

Canada

According to Indeed.com, the average hourly pay for personal trainers in Canada is $30.70, slightly above what trainers earn in the US. That’s $49,200 per year.

Some of the cities with the highest average personal trainer pay include:

• Vancouver – $36.33 per hour
• Surrey – $33.36 per hour
• Edmonton – $34.49 per hour
• Toronto – $33.66 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 $86,000 per year, or $44.07 per hour. Based on data from this page, entry-level positions start from $69,160, where experienced and established trainers can earn up to $177,840 per year.

Interestingly, Indeed.com reports the average salary (last updated December 30, based on 1,500+ reported salaries) to be $81,122 per year, or an impressive $59.75 per hour.

Some of the cities with the highest average salary include:

• Glen Waverley – $86.12 per hour
• Melbourne – $70.32 per hour
• Brisbane – $62.21 per hour
• Perth – $59.68 per hour

9 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.

However, when factoring in location, we must also consider the cost of living. For instance, according to Statista, the income needed for renters in New York to live a comfortable life was $147,460 in 2024.

For reference, the average salary for personal trainers in New York now is $57,114, based on 300+ reports.

In contrast, the income needed for a comfortable life in Chicago was $93,999 in 2024. Trainers there earn an average annual salary of $60,964.

So, trainers in Chicago earn slightly more than New York trainers and need 30%+ less money for a comfortable life.

2. Place of Employment

Just as location is a factor, so is the exact place of employment. We must remember that we look 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 – $102/hour (Australia)
• Goodlife Health Clubs Australia – $84/hour
• Orangetheory Fitness – $46/hour (Canada)
• Body + Soul Fitness – $35/hour (Canada, Toronto)
• Equinox – £33,000/year (the UK)
• Orangetheory Fitness – $42/hour (the US)
• GYMGUYZ – $37/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 it nearly impossible to find work at a decent gym.

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.

Learn about the cost of earning a certification, along with a look at six of the best programs.

4. 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 $68,000 per year or $22,000 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.

According to a source from NASM, senior fitness trainers are in a unique position to help older adults regain their fitness, improve their mobility, and boost their overall quality of life. 

Plus, according to data from Indeed.com (based on 1,100+ salary reports), senior fitness instructors earn an average of $49.74 per hour or a whopping $116,116 per year. In case you’re wondering, this is more than double the average salary for a personal trainer.

Certification organizations like NASM, ACE, ISSA, and ACSM offer programs for people looking to specialize in:

• Senior fitness
• Functional training
• Weight loss
• Corrective exercise
• Physique and bodybuilding
• Strength and conditioning

5. Type of Employment

Working as a trainer at a gym is typically the preferred option for new coaches. The existing members base of the training facility provides a steady stream of clients, allowing for more consistent and predictable earnings. 

The downside is that the earnings, especially for an entry-level position, are lower. For instance, EoS Fitness is a large chain with 45+ locations and dozens of job openings for personal trainers. However, the average salary is just $37,788 annually, based on 300+ reports.

Working at a private studio can be better because you are more likely to work with more specialized, often affluent, clientele. 

The advantages are that you can earn more money per session because your clients are more willing to pay extra for special attention and a personalized approach. Earnings can increase even more if you’re qualified to train people with special needs, such as those recovering from surgery.

Being self-employed is the third popular option for personal trainers. It typically works better for trainers with an established client base who are well-known in the industry. 

This is because running a business comes with ongoing expenses (rent, upkeep, insurance, marketing, and accounting, just to name a few), and it’s best to hit the ground running than to try building your client roster while being in the red each month. 

The advantage of working for yourself is that you can earn more even if you work less. A larger percentage of the profit goes into your pocket, and the earnings potential is fantastic.

6. Work Hours

The amount of time you work each week will impact your earnings potential. Working more hours generally leads to higher incomes.

Of course, the advantage of part-time personal training is that you would have more free time to study if you’re still in school, handle family responsibilities, or work another job that pays more.

The latter option is suitable for people looking to transition into personal training without committing fully. 

For example, if you’re in your late twenties and earning good money from a job you don’t like, part-time personal training can be a good way to dip your toe into the profession to see if it’s something you want to do while earning additional income.

Also, just because you work fewer hours doesn’t necessarily mean you have to earn significantly less money. One option to charge more per session is to train clients in the early mornings and at noon.

These times of day are typically in high demand because that’s when many people can sneak in a workout session. So, if you’re willing to do a couple of sessions from 6 to 9 AM, you can charge more. The same goes for lunch breaks between 12 and 2 PM.

Working during the holidays can also be a viable way to earn more per session. Some of your clients would want to maintain their workout routine during the holidays and could pay extra to have you coaching and supporting them when everyone else is taking time off.

7. 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 more easily sign new clients and get them to pay more for a training session or workout plan.

In contrast, entry-level personal trainers must be more patient, focus on their craft, and gradually expand their roster to make good money.

8. 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)

9. 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 personal training software 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 ways to serve each client better and earn more.

Does An Advanced Degree Lead to a Bigger Personal Trainer Salary?

Personal trainers looking to expand their knowledge and expertise to work with specific populations and earn more money can complete a specialization course from an organization like NASM, ISSA, or ACE.

For instance, ACE’s Senior Fitness Specialist program costs $595 and prepares trainers to work with elderly clients who often have different needs from younger trainees. Having a basic personal trainer certification to go along with it would be enough.

Weight management, behavioral change, corrective exercise, and youth fitness are also possible specialization avenues. 

But what about something more advanced, such as a Bachelor’s or Master’s in exercise science? It’s hard to say.

While an advanced degree can boost your credibility, set you apart from other trainers, and perhaps make it easier to sign new clients, it wouldn’t necessarily increase your income by much (certainly not enough to justify the cost of attaining the degree).

In essence, the problem is that you’re likely to be overqualified to work as a personal trainer and that you may want to consider a more advanced career. For instance, having a degree in exercise science would allow you to work as:

• Athletic therapist – $101,202 annual average salary USD (source)
• Health educator – $62,548 USD (source)
• Dietitian – $70,748 USD (source)
• Physical therapist – $103,601 USD (source)

How to Maximize Your Salary As a Personal Trainer

1. Work For Yourself

Working for yourself can be scary, but there are ways to limit the risk and increase your earnings potential.

One option is to strike a deal with a gym as an independent contractor trainer. In essence, this means you maintain your independence and work for yourself while enjoying the perks of working at a gym: equipment, exposure, and not worrying about rent or upkeep.

Trainers gain access to the gym (or part of the gym) at specific times of day and must pay a flat monthly fee to the gym owner or share a percentage of the revenue. 

A clear benefit is that you have a more flexible work schedule, which can be particularly beneficial if you’re a part-time trainer with other responsibilities. You’re also free to set the rates you want and offer additional services (such as nutritional guidance) to earn extra money.

This option may be better for smaller local gyms or studios than large chains like Anytime Fitness, LA Fitness, and 24 Hour Fitness. The reason is that large gyms typically have trainers on the payroll and aren’t looking for such arrangements with independent trainers.

A riskier option is to rent a studio. The earnings potential would typically be higher, but you would also have to invest more money upfront and spend more to keep your operation going.

Expenses here include:

• Registering a firm
• Paying the rent (plus a security deposit)
• Doing some necessary renovations
• Purchasing or leasing the workout equipment, flooring, and mirrors
• Getting insurance (liability, property, and worker’s if you hire employees)
• Paying an accountant
• Advertising

The third option is to offer at-home personal training. This falls somewhere between working as an independent contractor and renting a studio in terms of risk. You can read all about this approach and what it entails in our guide.

2. Specialize In a Certain Field

As discussed above, specializing in a particular field is one of the most efficient ways to set yourself apart and boost your earnings potential. 

For instance, a senior fitness specialist can earn an average of $50 per hour compared to the $29 a personal trainer makes. 

Weight loss consultants can earn more than personal trainers, with the median reported salary being $71,000 annually.

Also, while not exactly a personal trainer specialization option, being a group fitness instructor can be lucrative. According to data from GlassDoor, instructors in the US earn a median annual salary of $80,000.

3. Coach Additional Clients Online

The traditional method of in-person training can be enough to earn good money if you put enough time into it and build a reputation. However, diversifying with online clients can lead to significantly higher earnings. 

One straightforward option is to work with clients in person during the workweek and attend to your online clients over the weekend. You can offer workout and meal plans with limited email or chat support for a flat monthly fee.

This is a traditional method for online trainers to coach their clients. The beauty of this approach is that you don’t have to spend as much time with your online clients beyond the weekly check-in. 

You can even use a personal training platform like Hevy Coach to make workout plans quickly, assign them to clients, and track how everyone is doing from the dashboard. 

That way, you can easily change their workouts when necessary, answer questions through chat, and track their performance.

If you charge clients a monthly fee of $150 for your coaching (which is relatively low), having ten clients on your roster would mean earning $1,500 extra each month or a respectable $18,000 more per year.

4. Pick Up More Hours At Your Gym

Working longer hours is perhaps the most obvious approach to earning more. It’s also an alternative to online coaching for less experienced personal trainers. 

Based on the data from Indeed, the average personal trainer earns $29 per hour. Adjusted for a 40-hour workweek, that would amount to $54,520.

As an employee at a gym, you’re entitled to overtime work (beyond the traditional 40 hours in a week). Here’s a quote from the US Department of Labor:

“The federal overtime provisions are contained in the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). Unless exempt, employees covered by the Act must receive overtime pay for hours worked over 40 in a workweek at a rate not less than time and one-half their regular rates of pay.”

You can request extra hours and negotiate to be paid more for the overtime work. 

One effective tactic for increasing the number of clients you have and being able to work more hours is to set up a referral program. 

The goal is for them to refer friends and family in exchange for perks like discounts, the occasional free session, merchandise, or digital goodies (like an eBook).

5. Offer Semi-Private Personal Training

Semi-private personal training is a more advanced tactic that allows more experienced trainers to work with two to four clients at a time and earn more from each session. 

Rather than working with clients one-on-one, the trainer gathers two to four clients and trains them simultaneously. 

Instead of one client paying $50-60 for a session, four people can pay $30-35, netting the trainer $120-140 for that hour of work. This also benefits the clients because they split the cost of working with you.

That said, new trainers would be better off working with one client at a time to gain experience and build the necessary skills. Trying to juggle two, three, or four clients at a time can quickly become a chaotic experience for you and the folks you’re trying to coach.

What About Passive Income?

The idea of consistently making money without having to do anything sounds alluring, though a bit too good to be true. So, is there a place for passive income for personal trainers? Can you create something that automatically brings in money every month? 

Well, yes and no. 

Yes, creating something that generates revenue on the side is possible. However, that still requires work (both initially and on an ongoing basis) to create and maintain something, so it brings money.

Let’s take content creation as an example––it’s a popular and effective way for personal trainers to build an online presence (something we discussed above) and potentially make money.

One way to monetize content is to earn income from an affiliate program by writing helpful content around products and services. 

For instance, you can create product reviews, share your honest thoughts, and include affiliate links (containing a unique code assigned to track your referrals) to earn commissions from successful sales.

You can create a single piece of content (say, a blog article like the one you’re reading), and it will work for you 24/7.

But, as you can imagine, creating the content takes time. Plus, you would have to invest more time in the future to keep the content updated, essentially removing the ‘passive’ from passive income. 

The bottom line is that there isn’t a way to make money without doing anything. However, having a side project (e.g., a blog or YouTube channel) can be a nice way to diversify your income and build a reputation online.

Similar to picking up extra hours at the gym or coaching clients online, it comes down to your willingness to work harder and earn more.

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 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. 

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 for 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 a good base salary–– approximately $47,000 annually in the US.

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.

Try Hevy Coach for free for 30 days. Our personal training platform allows coaches to put together workout programs quickly, assign them to clients, and track their performance and adherence. It also makes it effortless to change things on the go.

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 earn more by offering ongoing support through online communication, selling training plans, providing nutritional guidance to clients, and expanding their roster through online coaching.

4. What factors influence personal trainer salary?

Location, place of employment (e.g., commercial gym vs. private studio), number of hours worked,  experience, reputation, specialization (e.g., elderly fitness), and extra services offered (e.g., meal plans along with training guidance) influence how much you can earn as a personal trainer.