By Donna Hutchinson

There are trainers who are doing exceptionally well in the industry and making a lot of money. Undoubtedly they are the ones with the “A” list clientele and earning a six figure salary. But this isn’t the norm. If you are just starting out and trying to figure out what the average wage is for a personal trainer there are four factors to consider.

1) Certification/education

2) Number of years in the industry

3) Part-time time versus full-time training

4) Employee versus contractor

Certification/education

In terms of education, the more education you have the better. Trainers with a College or University degree get paid more by employers then trainers without one.

Choose your certifications wisely. There are many certifications to choose from. It would be wise to go with a long established accreditation such as American Council on Exercise (ACE), American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) or the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA).

Number of years in the industry

The longer you have been in the industry the more you can expect to get paid. A trainer just starting out can expect to earn between $20,000 to $40,000 a year. While a 3-5 year veteran can earn between $45,000 to $55,000.

Part-time versus full-time

Obviously if you are working only part-time as a trainer you will make less then someone who commits to it full-time. However you can still earn a solid wage working only part-time. The average trainer works between 20-25 hours a week which lends itself well to part-time work.

Employee versus contractor

If you work for someone else the wage can range anywhere from $8.00/hr to $35.00/hr. A trainer just starting out can expect to make between $8.00 to $18.00/hr while a trainer with a few years experience will earn closer to $35.00/hr.

Some facilities take a split for training. It’s not uncommon for a gym to take 60% leaving you with 40%. These splits are sometimes put in place for independent contractors as well. Or you may be charged a flat rate per client. This can vary from $8.00-$22.00 per client.

A savvy personal trainer with enough business experience can earn a solid living in this industry. I know plenty of trainers who earn closer to $60,000 a year owing their own independent personal training businesses. They don’t have a facility so their overhead is low. They are smart about how they train opting to provide small group training, boot camps and other services that boost their hourly wages.

It’s possible to make six figures as a trainer provided you have the right plan and mix of services. If you are stuck not knowing where to begin or how to grow your business beyond just a job then my suggestion would be to consult with a busines coach. A business coach can help guide you by helping you to create a vision of your business and plan by which to follow.

There’s enough money out there, it’s just a matter of attracting it into your general vacinity!

About the Author: Donna Hutchinson is the author of the How To Guide To Starting Your Own Personal Training Business and the How to Guide to Growing Your Own Personal Training Business. She is the owner of On The Edge Fitness Educators providing business coaching services. Donna is an International Fitness Presenter and speaks to businesses about how to provide exceptional customer service, how to sell without selling and creating a demand for services. http://www.edgefit.ca

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