Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors salary in North Carolina
Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors in North Carolina earn a median of $46,450 a year ($22.33 an hour), based on BLS data for 10,670 workers.
Pay ranges from $24,910 for the lowest-paid 10% to $74,210 for the top 10%. That is 2% lower than the national median of $47,160. North Carolina ranks 21st of 51 states for exercise trainers and group fitness instructors pay. There are 2.2 exercise trainers and group fitness instructors per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $48,270, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for exercise trainers and group fitness instructors in North Carolina
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $24,910 | $11.98 |
| 25th percentile | $33,210 | $15.97 |
| Median | $46,450 | $22.33 |
| 75th percentile | $60,100 | $28.89 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $74,210 | $35.68 |
| Average (mean) | $48,270 | $23.21 |
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 | $3,870.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,935.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,786.54 |
| Weekly | $893.27 |
| Hourly | $22.33 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $46,450 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 cities in North Carolina
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | $49,410 | 730 |
| 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.
Related jobs in North Carolina
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Childcare Worker | $29,140 | $14.01 |
| Recreation Worker | $32,720 | $15.73 |
| Residential Advisor | $39,130 | $18.81 |
| Personal Care and Service Workers, All Other | $33,290 | $16.00 |
| Amusement and Recreation Attendants | $26,680 | $12.83 |
| Animal Caretaker | $30,870 | $14.84 |
| Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists | $38,410 | $18.47 |
| Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers | $30,260 | $14.55 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services | $49,040 | $23.58 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers | $45,400 | $21.83 |
| Skincare Specialist | $39,120 | $18.81 |
| Manicurists and Pedicurists | $34,740 | $16.70 |
| Tour and Travel Guides | $32,570 | $15.66 |
| Funeral Attendant | $34,940 | $16.80 |
More: Personal Care and Service Occupations · all salaries in North Carolina
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 North Carolina?
The median salary for exercise trainers and group fitness instructors in North Carolina is $46,450 a year, or $22.33 an hour. Pay ranges from $24,910 for the lowest-paid 10% to $74,210 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid exercise trainers and group fitness instructors make in North Carolina?
The top 10% of exercise trainers and group fitness instructors in North Carolina earn at least $74,210 a year. The top 25% earn $60,100 or more.
What is the starting pay for exercise trainers and group fitness instructors in North Carolina?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $24,910 a year, and a quarter of exercise trainers and group fitness instructors earn $33,210 or less.
How many exercise trainers and group fitness instructors work in North Carolina?
About 10,670 exercise trainers and group fitness instructors are employed in North Carolina, not counting the self-employed.