Living Off a Personal Trainer's Salary

Did you know that 10% of employed fitness instructors and trainers earn $60,760 or more per year?

But what is everyone else making? Can you raise a family off a personal training income?

Here's a look at real time statistics taken in May 2008 by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), US Depart of Labor.

Median annual wages of fitness trainers and aerobics instructors were $29,210.

The middle 50 percent earned between $19,610 and $44,420.

The bottom 10 percent earned less than $16,120.

Other data shows the median annual wages for specific industries--taken in May 2008:

General medical and surgical hospitals = $32,140
Fitness and recreational sports centers = 30,610
Local government = 30,200
Civic and social organizations = 25,110
Other schools and instruction = 24,230

The full report on the BLS website also mentions that most employed fitness workers are part-time.

It also notes that:

These figures do not include the earnings of the self-employed. Earnings of successful self-employed personal trainers can be much higher.

What percentage do you fit in?

Do you want to improve your annual earnings?

Do you want to be included in the self-employed bunch?

Here's our advice for those expanding into the self-employed state. (Straight from the trenches!)

If you're starting out, position yourself so that not all of your eggs are in one basket. Yes, work to work as one self-employed. Work on and in your business. But also consider working as an employee too, at a local gym, studio or school, wherever they're hiring trainers.

Do be a smart employee. Make sure the company doesn't "own" you upon hiring. Schedule you're "employee" hours so that you still have time slots for your business appointments. And don't get too comfortable or fall into the "employee" state of mind. (Feeling comfortable and complacent will not grow your business.)

Even as an employee look for ways to make your services more popular. Believe it or not, you're not just making money for the company you work for, but you're growing your business there. You're starting that precious word-of-mouth referral system, and you're becoming the go-to guy or gal--without spending thousands of dollars on billboard and yellow page advertisements!

The reason behind low wages are many. Some fitness professionals do it as a side profession. Perhaps they have two loves--two careers.

Some do it for a transitional state, just for an extra source of income, to pay off debt or something.

Some work part-time intending to grow their career, but for some reason get stuck--don't grow.

The keys behind top earners are many things. First, they're good people persons! Secondly, they know what they're doing, as trainers. Thirdly, they're not complacent. They're independent thinkers, determined and professionally aggressive.

Go above the median: believe in yourself and start thinking about how to build your reputation--building upon your strengths. And don't give up. The money will follow!

Start here: smart, affordable exposure!