Google the average personal trainer salary and you might rethink why you spent all that time studying flashcards to pass your NASM test. The numbers don’t add up to a summer house in the Hamptons. But don’t be fooled by statistics, surveys, and averages. Personal training can be a lucrative career. When you enter this business, you don’t sign a contract tying you to the median income in the U.S. On a graph of salaries, you are not the average; you are an individual data point. So, where do you want to leave your mark?
Here’s a breakdown of what personal training careers often look like at different income levels. (Note: this can vary based on location. These are estimates to help you understand the field, not exact representations of reality.)
A personal trainer earning around $40,000 is likely getting their footing in the industry. They probably work at a big box gym, training a handful of clients while navigating the hustle of building their reputation. The job may involve long hours on the gym floor, handling many walk-ins and beginners, and a mix of group and one-on-one sessions. It’s the classic “getting started” phase, with some learning curves along the way.
Earning $60,000 is where many personal trainers find stability. They’re likely working in a combination of private studios, gyms, and possibly starting to take on some independent clients. At this stage, they may be refining their approach, offering specialized services, and becoming more skilled at client retention and program design. They likely have a decent roster of clients and may be beginning to branch out into digital offerings or group coaching sessions.
At $70,000, a trainer has likely moved beyond the grind of entry-level work and has a well-established client base. They’re probably more specialized, either focusing on a specific niche like weight loss, performance training, or corrective exercise. They may also be working with more high-paying clients, running group training sessions, or even incorporating online coaching to expand their reach. This trainer knows their worth and has a reputation to match.
Reaching the $100,000 mark means a personal trainer has a strong following and a diversified income stream. They likely own their own business or run a private studio. They’re coaching high-end clients, and possibly even doing some corporate wellness consulting, offering group classes, or creating online courses or programs. Their reputation is solid, and they’re seen as a go-to expert in their field.
At the $150,000 level, a personal trainer is likely a high-performing entrepreneur in the fitness space. They may be operating their own business with multiple trainers under them, or they might be running an online coaching empire. Their brand is well-established, and they may even have media exposure, speaking gigs, or a book under their belt. This level of success is a combination of exceptional training skills, high-end client management, and mastering business systems.