Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors salary in Columbus, GA-AL
Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors in the Columbus, GA-AL metro area earn a median of $36,990 a year ($17.79 an hour), based on BLS data for 170 workers.
Pay ranges from $29,460 for the lowest-paid 10% to $50,270 for the top 10%. That is 22% lower than the national median of $47,160. Pay here is 22% lower than the Georgia statewide median of $47,150. There are 1.5 exercise trainers and group fitness instructors per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.70). The average (mean) salary is $38,700, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for exercise trainers and group fitness instructors in Columbus, GA-AL
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $29,460 | $14.17 |
| 25th percentile | $29,620 | $14.24 |
| Median | $36,990 | $17.79 |
| 75th percentile | $44,010 | $21.16 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $50,270 | $24.17 |
| Average (mean) | $38,700 | $18.61 |
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 | $3,082.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,541.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,422.69 |
| Weekly | $711.35 |
| Hourly | $17.79 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $36,990 salary, see how much house you can afford in Georgia 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | $47,960 | 5,530 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $46,630 | 440 |
| Gainesville, GA | $45,830 | 50 |
| Savannah, GA | $45,650 | 250 |
| Warner Robins, GA | $45,640 | 140 |
| Montgomery, AL | $45,220 | 320 |
| Huntsville, AL | $45,160 | 370 |
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $44,390 | 420 |
| Albany, GA | $44,210 | 50 |
| Macon-Bibb County, GA | $44,170 | 70 |
| Daphne-Fairhope-Foley, AL | $43,880 | 140 |
| Athens-Clarke County, GA | $43,780 | 250 |
| Rome, GA | $43,330 | 50 |
| Birmingham, AL | $41,850 | 900 |
| Auburn-Opelika, AL | $38,490 | 90 |
| Valdosta, GA | $37,810 | 90 |
| Florence-Muscle Shoals, AL | $36,690 | 90 |
| Tuscaloosa, AL | $36,490 | 120 |
| Dothan, AL | $31,620 | 40 |
| Mobile, AL | $29,340 | 210 |
| Brunswick-St. Simons, GA | $26,400 | 40 |
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 Georgia statewide figures.
Related jobs in Columbus, GA-AL
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Childcare Worker | $26,150 | $12.57 |
| Recreation Worker | $27,930 | $13.43 |
| Residential Advisor | $38,010 | $18.28 |
| Personal Care and Service Workers, All Other | $23,580 | $11.34 |
| Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists | $29,790 | $14.32 |
| Animal Caretaker | $27,390 | $13.17 |
| Amusement and Recreation Attendants | $24,140 | $11.61 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services | $42,570 | $20.47 |
| Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers | $25,090 | $12.06 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers | $38,580 | $18.55 |
| Funeral Attendant | $29,620 | $14.24 |
| Manicurists and Pedicurists | $30,920 | $14.87 |
| Concierge | $27,820 | $13.37 |
| Morticians, Undertakers, and Funeral Arrangers | $46,210 | $22.22 |
More: Personal Care and Service Occupations · all salaries in Columbus, GA-AL
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 Columbus, GA-AL?
The median salary for exercise trainers and group fitness instructors in the Columbus, GA-AL metro area is $36,990 a year, or $17.79 an hour. Pay ranges from $29,460 for the lowest-paid 10% to $50,270 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid exercise trainers and group fitness instructors make in Columbus, GA-AL?
The top 10% of exercise trainers and group fitness instructors in the Columbus, GA-AL metro area earn at least $50,270 a year. The top 25% earn $44,010 or more.
What is the starting pay for exercise trainers and group fitness instructors in Columbus, GA-AL?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $29,460 a year, and a quarter of exercise trainers and group fitness instructors earn $29,620 or less.
How many exercise trainers and group fitness instructors work in Columbus, GA-AL?
About 170 exercise trainers and group fitness instructors are employed in the Columbus, GA-AL metro area, not counting the self-employed.