Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors salary in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area earn a median of $49,410 a year ($23.76 an hour), based on BLS data for 730 workers.
Pay ranges from $31,130 for the lowest-paid 10% to $74,680 for the top 10%. That is 5% higher than the national median of $47,160. Pay here is 6% higher than the North Carolina statewide median of $46,450. 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 $51,970, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for exercise trainers and group fitness instructors in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $31,130 | $14.97 |
| 25th percentile | $37,340 | $17.95 |
| Median | $49,410 | $23.76 |
| 75th percentile | $61,550 | $29.59 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $74,680 | $35.90 |
| Average (mean) | $51,970 | $24.99 |
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 | $4,117.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,058.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,900.38 |
| Weekly | $950.19 |
| Hourly | $23.76 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $49,410 salary, see how much house you can afford in North 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | $48,800 | 2,680 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $48,540 | 3,470 |
| Asheville, NC | $47,910 | 380 |
| Wilmington, NC | $46,450 | 550 |
| Fayetteville, NC | $45,620 | 180 |
| Greenville, NC | $44,920 | 180 |
| Greensboro-High Point, NC | $44,630 | 560 |
| Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC | $40,010 | 180 |
| Jacksonville, NC | $39,330 | 100 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $38,610 | 2,050 |
| Winston-Salem, NC | $38,080 | 530 |
| Pinehurst-Southern Pines, NC | $37,260 | 100 |
| Burlington, NC | $36,650 | 170 |
| Rocky Mount, NC | $30,330 | 70 |
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 North Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Recreation Worker | $31,720 | $15.25 |
| Childcare Worker | $30,970 | $14.89 |
| Residential Advisor | $56,170 | $27.00 |
| Animal Caretaker | $33,960 | $16.33 |
| Amusement and Recreation Attendants | $27,470 | $13.21 |
| Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists | $48,060 | $23.11 |
| Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers | $29,120 | $14.00 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers | $49,580 | $23.84 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services | $55,050 | $26.46 |
| Skincare Specialist | $42,870 | $20.61 |
| Tour and Travel Guides | $34,370 | $16.52 |
| Funeral Attendant | $36,540 | $17.57 |
| Animal Trainer | $39,560 | $19.02 |
| Morticians, Undertakers, and Funeral Arrangers | $63,450 | $30.51 |
More: Personal Care and Service Occupations · all salaries in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
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 Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?
The median salary for exercise trainers and group fitness instructors in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area is $49,410 a year, or $23.76 an hour. Pay ranges from $31,130 for the lowest-paid 10% to $74,680 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid exercise trainers and group fitness instructors make in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?
The top 10% of exercise trainers and group fitness instructors in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area earn at least $74,680 a year. The top 25% earn $61,550 or more.
What is the starting pay for exercise trainers and group fitness instructors in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $31,130 a year, and a quarter of exercise trainers and group fitness instructors earn $37,340 or less.
How many exercise trainers and group fitness instructors work in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?
About 730 exercise trainers and group fitness instructors are employed in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area, not counting the self-employed.