Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors salary in Iowa
Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors in Iowa earn a median of $36,160 a year ($17.39 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,510 workers.
Pay ranges from $24,660 for the lowest-paid 10% to $52,810 for the top 10%. That is 23% lower than the national median of $47,160. Iowa ranks 47th of 51 states for exercise trainers and group fitness instructors pay. There are 1.6 exercise trainers and group fitness instructors per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.77). The average (mean) salary is $38,290, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for exercise trainers and group fitness instructors in Iowa
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $24,660 | $11.86 |
| 25th percentile | $28,350 | $13.63 |
| Median | $36,160 | $17.39 |
| 75th percentile | $44,750 | $21.51 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $52,810 | $25.39 |
| Average (mean) | $38,290 | $18.41 |
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 | $3,013.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,506.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,390.77 |
| Weekly | $695.38 |
| Hourly | $17.39 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $36,160 salary, see how much house you can afford in Iowa at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors salary in cities in Iowa
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $38,700 | 920 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $37,960 | 170 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $37,790 | 210 |
| Dubuque, IA | $35,990 | 100 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $35,130 | 70 |
| Iowa City, IA | $34,900 | 150 |
| Omaha, NE-IA | $32,910 | 1,340 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $32,670 | 360 |
| Ames, IA | $32,150 | 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 Iowa
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Childcare Worker | $28,420 | $13.66 |
| Recreation Worker | $33,700 | $16.20 |
| Residential Advisor | $36,850 | $17.72 |
| Personal Care and Service Workers, All Other | $31,200 | $15.00 |
| Amusement and Recreation Attendants | $27,430 | $13.19 |
| Animal Caretaker | $30,080 | $14.46 |
| Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists | $35,700 | $17.17 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services | $41,950 | $20.17 |
| Gambling Dealer | $23,020 | $11.07 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers | $38,780 | $18.64 |
| Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers | $25,720 | $12.37 |
| Skincare Specialist | $37,080 | $17.83 |
| Morticians, Undertakers, and Funeral Arrangers | $63,700 | $30.63 |
| Funeral Attendant | $40,060 | $19.26 |
More: Personal Care and Service Occupations · all salaries in Iowa
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 Iowa?
The median salary for exercise trainers and group fitness instructors in Iowa is $36,160 a year, or $17.39 an hour. Pay ranges from $24,660 for the lowest-paid 10% to $52,810 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid exercise trainers and group fitness instructors make in Iowa?
The top 10% of exercise trainers and group fitness instructors in Iowa earn at least $52,810 a year. The top 25% earn $44,750 or more.
What is the starting pay for exercise trainers and group fitness instructors in Iowa?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $24,660 a year, and a quarter of exercise trainers and group fitness instructors earn $28,350 or less.
How many exercise trainers and group fitness instructors work in Iowa?
About 2,510 exercise trainers and group fitness instructors are employed in Iowa, not counting the self-employed.