26 May 2022

How Much Do Personal Trainers Earn?

Career Advice

Trained fitness professionals enjoy the freedom and flexibility to set their own hours, choose where they work and make a life changing impact on their clients.

So, what can you expect to earn as a Personal Trainer?

According to the latest updates from PayScale, the world of fitness not only offers the opportunity for a diverse work environment – it also gives you the platform for big earning potential.

Personal Trainer Salary

Hourly Rate: $22.72 - $63.75

Average Annual Salary: $32k - $81k

In setting their own hourly rate and taking on as many clients as they like, Personal Trainers have the potential to increase their annual earnings beyond the average wage. Undertaking an average of 42.6 hours of work per week, Personal Trainers can hire out space to work within gyms or fitness centres, train in public areas (parks or beaches), or work from home by starting their own personal training business.

How to Become a Personal Trainer?

If you’re considering a career as a personal trainer, there are many qualifications to get your fitness career off the ground. All you need to get started with an AIPT Personal Trainer course is to tick off the following boxes:

Education: You will need to have completed year 10, or equivalent. Equivalency can be demonstrated by one of the following: a qualification at Certificate II level or higher OR 2 years of industry experience in a role that requires the use of written documentation and communication.
First Aid and CPR Certificate: Prior to commencing your Certificate IV in Fitness component, you will need to have obtained a current First Aid and CPR Certificate.
Minimum Age: You need to be at least 16. If you’re under 18, a parent or guardian will need to sign your enrolment form.
Residency Status: You need to be a permanent Australian resident or equivalent.
Working with Children Check: For the work placement portion of your course, you may need a current “Working with Children Check Clearance” issued by the relevant authority in your state/territory.

To qualify as a Personal Trainer, AIPT are offering the following courses:

Fitness Instructor Salary

Hourly Rate: $22.82 - $46.18

Average Annual Salary: $51k - $73k

Perfect for those new to the fitness industry or those looking to earn some extra dollars, becoming a Fitness Instructor will not only reward you with a neat salary package, but gives you an excellent starting foundation for industry progression.

Fitness Instructors are responsible for demonstrating correct form when using exercise equipment, monitor the use of equipment, delivering certain exercise classes and workshops, and ensuring a fitness centre is clean and free of health and safety hazards.

How to Become a Group Exercise Instructor?

Before you get started towards your career as a Group Excercise Instructor, make sure you meet the following criteria:

Education: You’ll need to have completed year 10 or equivalent (i.e., a qualification at Certificate II level or higher, or 2 years of industry experience in a role that requires the use of written documentation and communication).
Minimum Age: You need to be at least 16. If you’re under 18, a parent or guardian will need to sign your enrolment form.
Residency Status: You need to be a permanent Australian resident or equivalent.
Working with Children Check: For the work placement portion of your course, you may need a current “Working with Children Check Clearance” issued by the relevant authority in your state/territory.

To qualify as a Fitness Instructor, AIPT are offering the following courses:

SIS30321 Certificate III in Fitness

Gym Manager Salary

Hourly Rate: $20.47 - $31.07

Average Annual Salary: $45k - $69k

From recruitment and team management through to equipment maintenance, personal training schedules and retaining high membership levels. Gym Managers take a step back from hands-on duties, focusing more on the operations of a successful fitness business or health club.

How To Become a Gym Manager?

Thinking of a career as a Gym Manager? These are the minimum requirements you need to meet before applying:

Education: You’ll need to have completed year 10 or equivalent (i.e., a qualification at Certificate II level or higher, or 2 years of industry experience in a role that requires the use of written documentation and communication).
Minimum Age: You need to be at least 16. If you’re under 18, a parent or guardian will need to sign your enrolment form.
Residency Status: You need to be a permanent Australian resident or equivalent.
Working with Children Check: For the work placement portion of your course, you may need a current “Working with Children Check Clearance” issued by the relevant authority in your state/territory.

To qualify as a Gym Manager, AIPT are offering the following courses:

SIS50115 Diploma of Sport and Recreation Management

Female personal trainer talking to male client at weight lifting equipment

Personal Trainers in Australia

Being a personal trainer can be a hugely rewarding career. Sometimes a good salary can be just as rewarding as making a huge contribution to peoples’ well-being.

Build Relationships and Network

Most personal trainers already know the power of referrals. However, not many go to the effort of expanding their network to attract even more clients. If you want to fill up your hours, you absolutely must network. Get the word out there by attending events, talking to people, and making the effort to reach new markets.

This may not be immediately obvious, but cultivating genuine loyalty in your clients can ensure a continued income stream, bigger uptake of services and a smoother-running operation. You want loyal clients to be excited about training with you and turn up on time and they reliably book regular sessions – even if they step away from training for some time, they’re likely to return to a personal trainer that they’re loyal to.

Happy clients are returning clients.

Develop a Range of Personal Training Services

This is the easiest way to reach a broader audience. If you want to ask for a higher price per session and service a wider variety of clients, greater qualifications are the way to go. You can get skills and qualifications in boxing, massage, sports and conditioning, nutrition, meal plans, suspension training and more.

Beyond that, upskilling keeps your head in the game. You can stay abreast of major industry changes, learn new ways to help your clients, and stay motivated about your chosen career. In order to get ahead and firmly establish yourself as a personal training force to be reckoned with, upskilling is absolutely critical.

Sales & Marketing

Sales is a huge part of earning a good salary as a personal trainer. It’s your business, so it’s up to you to grow it. If you want to earn a good salary as a personal trainer, you need to do things better than other personal trainers. Get qualified and focus on growing and developing your business. It can be hard work, but the results are very satisfying.

Social media is key. Consider posting small workout plans, build your product or service, show people that what you have to offer can help them achieve their fitness goals. You must reinforce these feelings in your clients. When clients believe that their personal trainer can truly help them achieve results, they’re far more likely to continue training and even commit to more sessions.