Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors salary in Ames, IA
Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors in the Ames, IA metro area earn a median of $32,150 a year ($15.46 an hour), based on BLS data for 110 workers.
Pay ranges from $19,170 for the lowest-paid 10% to $53,260 for the top 10%. That is 32% lower than the national median of $47,160. Pay here is 11% lower than the Iowa statewide median of $36,160. There are 1.9 exercise trainers and group fitness instructors per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $34,680, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for exercise trainers and group fitness instructors in Ames, IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $19,170 | $9.22 |
| 25th percentile | $25,830 | $12.42 |
| Median | $32,150 | $15.46 |
| 75th percentile | $37,980 | $18.26 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $53,260 | $25.61 |
| Average (mean) | $34,680 | $16.67 |
Half of exercise trainers and group fitness instructors earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $2,679.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,339.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,236.54 |
| Weekly | $618.27 |
| Hourly | $15.46 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $32,150 salary, see how much house you can afford in Iowa at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $38,700 | 920 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $37,960 | 170 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $37,790 | 210 |
| Dubuque, IA | $35,990 | 100 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $35,130 | 70 |
| Iowa City, IA | $34,900 | 150 |
| Omaha, NE-IA | $32,910 | 1,340 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $32,670 | 360 |
Highest-paying states for exercise trainers and group fitness instructors
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Massachusetts | $64,620 |
| Connecticut | $61,580 |
| New Jersey | $59,870 |
| Oregon | $58,510 |
| California | $57,990 |
| Nevada | $57,960 |
| Vermont | $57,300 |
| Washington | $50,830 |
| Wyoming | $50,250 |
| Colorado | $49,900 |
See Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors pay in every state or the Iowa statewide figures.
Related jobs in Ames, IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Childcare Worker | $27,850 | $13.39 |
| Recreation Worker | $31,110 | $14.96 |
| Residential Advisor | $48,230 | $23.19 |
| Animal Caretaker | $38,700 | $18.61 |
| Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists | $36,170 | $17.39 |
| Amusement and Recreation Attendants | $27,100 | $13.03 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services | $43,830 | $21.07 |
More: Personal Care and Service Occupations · all salaries in Ames, IA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 39-9031. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a exercise trainers and group fitness instructors make in Ames, IA?
The median salary for exercise trainers and group fitness instructors in the Ames, IA metro area is $32,150 a year, or $15.46 an hour. Pay ranges from $19,170 for the lowest-paid 10% to $53,260 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid exercise trainers and group fitness instructors make in Ames, IA?
The top 10% of exercise trainers and group fitness instructors in the Ames, IA metro area earn at least $53,260 a year. The top 25% earn $37,980 or more.
What is the starting pay for exercise trainers and group fitness instructors in Ames, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $19,170 a year, and a quarter of exercise trainers and group fitness instructors earn $25,830 or less.
How many exercise trainers and group fitness instructors work in Ames, IA?
About 110 exercise trainers and group fitness instructors are employed in the Ames, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.