Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors salary in Columbia, SC
Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors in the Columbia, SC metro area earn a median of $45,870 a year ($22.05 an hour), based on BLS data for 850 workers.
Pay ranges from $22,730 for the lowest-paid 10% to $62,370 for the top 10%. That is 3% lower than the national median of $47,160. Pay here is 5% higher than the South Carolina statewide median of $43,630. There are 2.1 exercise trainers and group fitness instructors per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $43,490, close to the median.
Pay range for exercise trainers and group fitness instructors in Columbia, SC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $22,730 | $10.93 |
| 25th percentile | $32,100 | $15.44 |
| Median | $45,870 | $22.05 |
| 75th percentile | $51,290 | $24.66 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $62,370 | $29.99 |
| Average (mean) | $43,490 | $20.91 |
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 | $3,822.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,911.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,764.23 |
| Weekly | $882.12 |
| Hourly | $22.05 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $45,870 salary, see how much house you can afford in South Carolina 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $48,540 | 3,470 |
| Charleston-North Charleston, SC | $47,280 | 890 |
| Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Port Royal, SC | $44,870 | 310 |
| Spartanburg, SC | $44,760 | 260 |
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $44,390 | 420 |
| Florence, SC | $37,130 | 250 |
| Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC | $36,700 | 1,150 |
| Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC | $35,080 | 390 |
| Sumter, SC | $28,510 | 50 |
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 South Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Columbia, SC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Childcare Worker | $28,850 | $13.87 |
| Recreation Worker | $30,140 | $14.49 |
| Residential Advisor | $39,660 | $19.07 |
| Animal Caretaker | $30,720 | $14.77 |
| Amusement and Recreation Attendants | $25,720 | $12.37 |
| Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists | $30,710 | $14.76 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers | $42,770 | $20.56 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services | $48,020 | $23.09 |
| Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers | $22,400 | $10.77 |
| Funeral Attendant | $28,870 | $13.88 |
| Skincare Specialist | $37,870 | $18.21 |
| Concierge | $30,980 | $14.89 |
| Tour and Travel Guides | $30,320 | $14.58 |
| Morticians, Undertakers, and Funeral Arrangers | $48,130 | $23.14 |
More: Personal Care and Service Occupations · all salaries in Columbia, SC
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 Columbia, SC?
The median salary for exercise trainers and group fitness instructors in the Columbia, SC metro area is $45,870 a year, or $22.05 an hour. Pay ranges from $22,730 for the lowest-paid 10% to $62,370 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid exercise trainers and group fitness instructors make in Columbia, SC?
The top 10% of exercise trainers and group fitness instructors in the Columbia, SC metro area earn at least $62,370 a year. The top 25% earn $51,290 or more.
What is the starting pay for exercise trainers and group fitness instructors in Columbia, SC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $22,730 a year, and a quarter of exercise trainers and group fitness instructors earn $32,100 or less.
How many exercise trainers and group fitness instructors work in Columbia, SC?
About 850 exercise trainers and group fitness instructors are employed in the Columbia, SC metro area, not counting the self-employed.