Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors salary in California
Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors in California earn a median of $57,990 a year ($27.88 an hour), based on BLS data for 43,600 workers.
Pay ranges from $36,750 for the lowest-paid 10% to $100,920 for the top 10%. That is 23% higher than the national median of $47,160. California ranks 5th of 51 states for exercise trainers and group fitness instructors pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 2.4 exercise trainers and group fitness instructors per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $62,890, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for exercise trainers and group fitness instructors in California
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,750 | $17.67 |
| 25th percentile | $45,350 | $21.80 |
| Median | $57,990 | $27.88 |
| 75th percentile | $74,160 | $35.65 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $100,920 | $48.52 |
| Average (mean) | $62,890 | $30.24 |
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 | $4,832.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,416.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,230.38 |
| Weekly | $1,115.19 |
| Hourly | $27.88 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $57,990 salary, see how much house you can afford in California at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors salary in cities in California
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $62,500 | 780 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $62,010 | 2,740 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $61,000 | 6,820 |
| Hanford-Corcoran, CA | $60,690 | 80 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | $60,580 | 370 |
| Salinas, CA | $59,910 | 330 |
| Yuba City, CA | $59,810 | 90 |
| Vallejo, CA | $59,720 | 370 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | $59,300 | 620 |
| Napa, CA | $58,590 | 220 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $57,630 | 16,350 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $57,230 | 860 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $56,420 | 4,810 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA | $55,010 | 370 |
| Fresno, CA | $52,130 | 530 |
| Redding, CA | $52,000 | 200 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $51,240 | 2,550 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | $48,860 | 400 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $48,450 | 2,700 |
| Modesto, CA | $48,160 | 270 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | $48,050 | 360 |
| Chico, CA | $46,790 | 220 |
| Merced, CA | $45,890 | 70 |
| Visalia, CA | $39,770 | 140 |
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.
Related jobs in California
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Childcare Worker | $40,020 | $19.24 |
| Recreation Worker | $39,780 | $19.12 |
| Residential Advisor | $46,650 | $22.43 |
| Personal Care and Service Workers, All Other | $39,860 | $19.16 |
| Amusement and Recreation Attendants | $37,000 | $17.79 |
| Manicurists and Pedicurists | $36,630 | $17.61 |
| Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists | $38,660 | $18.59 |
| Animal Caretaker | $38,700 | $18.60 |
| Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers | $37,870 | $18.21 |
| Gambling Dealer | $35,090 | $16.87 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services | $53,620 | $25.78 |
| Skincare Specialist | $38,770 | $18.64 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers | $56,110 | $26.98 |
| Tour and Travel Guides | $46,000 | $22.11 |
More: Personal Care and Service Occupations · all salaries in California
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 California?
The median salary for exercise trainers and group fitness instructors in California is $57,990 a year, or $27.88 an hour. Pay ranges from $36,750 for the lowest-paid 10% to $100,920 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid exercise trainers and group fitness instructors make in California?
The top 10% of exercise trainers and group fitness instructors in California earn at least $100,920 a year. The top 25% earn $74,160 or more.
What is the starting pay for exercise trainers and group fitness instructors in California?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $36,750 a year, and a quarter of exercise trainers and group fitness instructors earn $45,350 or less.
How many exercise trainers and group fitness instructors work in California?
About 43,600 exercise trainers and group fitness instructors are employed in California, not counting the self-employed.