Personal Trainer: Career Overview

Official government data · Updated April 2026

Personal Trainers earn a national median of $46,180/yr with 11.9% projected employment growth over 2024–2034. The role draws on expertise in Customer and Personal Service, Education and Training, English Language.

Median Salary

$46,180

National · 2024

10-Year Growth

11.9%

Faster than average

Employed Nationally

303,620

2024 data

Typical Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Entry-level

What Employers Expect From a Personal Trainer

These are the competencies recruiters screen for in Personal Trainer candidates, ranked by importance. Your resume should demonstrate each one:

1 Instructing 2 Service Orientation 3 Speaking 4 Active Listening 5 Learning Strategies 6 Social Perceptiveness 7 Reading Comprehension 8 Critical Thinking 9 Active Learning 10 Monitoring

Knowledge Areas

Core knowledge domains most important for Personal Trainer performance, based on verified occupational data.

Customer and Personal Service Education and Training English Language Psychology Biology

Tools & Technologies

High-demand tools and technologies for Personal Trainer roles.

Intuit QuickBooks

Job Outlook: 2024–2034

Employment is projected to grow 11.9% for Personal Trainer roles over the 2024–2034 decade. That's faster than average compared to the 4% average across all occupations.

Current Employment
303,620
Projected Growth
11.9%
Typical Education
High school diploma or equivalent

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a Personal Trainer do?
Personal Trainers apply expertise in Customer and Personal Service, Education and Training, English Language to perform their core responsibilities. Key competencies include Instructing, Service Orientation, Speaking, Active Listening.
How much does a Personal Trainer make?
The national median salary for a Personal Trainer is $46,180 per year based on official government wage survey data. Actual compensation varies by location, experience, and employer.
Is Personal Trainer a good career in 2026?
Employment for Personal Trainer roles is projected to grow 11.9% over the 2024–2034 decade — faster than average compared to all occupations. There are currently 303,620 workers in this occupation nationally.
What education do you need to become a Personal Trainer?
The typical entry-level education for a Personal Trainer is High school diploma or equivalent. Requirements vary by employer and specialization.
What skills do Personal Trainers need?
The most important skills for Personal Trainer roles based on verified occupational data: Instructing, Service Orientation, Speaking, Active Listening, Learning Strategies, Social Perceptiveness, Reading Comprehension, Critical Thinking, Active Learning, Monitoring. Key tools and technologies include: Intuit QuickBooks.

Does Your Resume Cover These Skills?

Tap the skills that are currently on your resume.

Salary, employment, and skills figures sourced from official U.S. government records and occupational databases. Actual compensation and requirements vary by location, experience, and employer. Salary and employment figures from official U.S. government records. Actual compensation varies by location, experience, and employer.