Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors salary in Illinois
Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors in Illinois earn a median of $46,800 a year ($22.50 an hour), based on BLS data for 19,830 workers.
Pay ranges from $31,210 for the lowest-paid 10% to $92,780 for the top 10%. That is 1% lower than the national median of $47,160. Illinois ranks 20th of 51 states for exercise trainers and group fitness instructors pay. There are 3.3 exercise trainers and group fitness instructors per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.6× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $53,300, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for exercise trainers and group fitness instructors in Illinois
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $31,210 | $15.00 |
| 25th percentile | $35,190 | $16.92 |
| Median | $46,800 | $22.50 |
| 75th percentile | $61,960 | $29.79 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $92,780 | $44.61 |
| Average (mean) | $53,300 | $25.63 |
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 | $3,900 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,950 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,800 |
| Weekly | $900 |
| Hourly | $22.50 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $46,800 salary, see how much house you can afford in Illinois at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors salary in cities in Illinois
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $47,680 | 16,350 |
| Peoria, IL | $43,900 | 510 |
| Champaign-Urbana, IL | $42,870 | 290 |
| Bloomington, IL | $39,720 | 310 |
| Cape Girardeau, MO-IL | $37,450 | 70 |
| Rockford, IL | $37,290 | 410 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $36,500 | 3,200 |
| Springfield, IL | $36,060 | 260 |
| Kankakee, IL | $35,040 | 70 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $32,670 | 360 |
| Decatur, IL | $31,200 | 110 |
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 Illinois
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Childcare Worker | $35,830 | $17.23 |
| Recreation Worker | $35,480 | $17.06 |
| Residential Advisor | $44,130 | $21.22 |
| Personal Care and Service Workers, All Other | $42,450 | $20.41 |
| Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists | $34,040 | $16.37 |
| Amusement and Recreation Attendants | $32,770 | $15.75 |
| Animal Caretaker | $35,570 | $17.10 |
| Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers | $34,560 | $16.61 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services | $47,020 | $22.61 |
| Skincare Specialist | $45,330 | $21.79 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers | $49,150 | $23.63 |
| Gambling Dealer | $31,200 | $15.00 |
| Manicurists and Pedicurists | $37,050 | $17.81 |
| Baggage Porters and Bellhops | $40,390 | $19.42 |
More: Personal Care and Service Occupations · all salaries in Illinois
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 Illinois?
The median salary for exercise trainers and group fitness instructors in Illinois is $46,800 a year, or $22.50 an hour. Pay ranges from $31,210 for the lowest-paid 10% to $92,780 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid exercise trainers and group fitness instructors make in Illinois?
The top 10% of exercise trainers and group fitness instructors in Illinois earn at least $92,780 a year. The top 25% earn $61,960 or more.
What is the starting pay for exercise trainers and group fitness instructors in Illinois?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $31,210 a year, and a quarter of exercise trainers and group fitness instructors earn $35,190 or less.
How many exercise trainers and group fitness instructors work in Illinois?
About 19,830 exercise trainers and group fitness instructors are employed in Illinois, not counting the self-employed.