# Fitness Trainers and Instructors

US SOC code 39-9031. Markdown version of https://futurehistory.earth/timeline/39-9031

Also called: Personal trainer, Fitness instructor, Group fitness instructor, Certified personal trainer, CPT.

## In brief

In May 2025, [BLS](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm25nat.zip) counted **322,930** US fitness trainers and instructors, with median pay of **$47,160** a year. Of the BLS counts since 2021, the May 2025 count is the highest. The earliest figure here is [an estimate](https://www.ymca.org/who-we-are/our-history) of **15,000** from 1920, not measured the same way as today's count. The last full technology era for fitness trainers and instructors: Connected fitness peak and crash, 2019 to 2023.

## What the sources say

### Official outlook

BLS projects employment to grow 7.3% from 2025 to 2035. Source: [BLS Employment Projections 2025-35](https://data.bls.gov/projections/nationalMatrix?queryParams=39-9031&ioType=o).

### AI exposure studies

- **23.5%** of this job's tasks are exposed to large language models. Not a forecast of job losses. [Eloundou and others, 2023](https://github.com/openai/GPTs-are-GPTs/blob/main/data/occ_level.csv)
- **0.085** estimated probability that the whole occupation could be computerised, over an unspecified number of years. Not a forecast of job losses. [Frey and Osborne, 2013](https://oms-www.files.svdcdn.com/production/downloads/academic/The_Future_of_Employment.pdf)

Data as of BLS OEWS May 2025; BLS Employment Projections 2025-35. BLS publishes these counts as yearly survey snapshots and cautions against reading them as a precise trend.

## Fitness Trainers and Instructors employment and pay by year

- On record since: 1896
- Latest US employment: 322,930 (May 2025). Source: BLS OEWS May 2025 [5]
- Latest US median pay: $47,160 (May 2025). Source: BLS OEWS May 2025 [8]
- Outlook: +7.3% by 2035. Source: BLS Employment Projections 2025-35 [20]

### All 27 years of cited US data

| Year | US employment | Annual pay (median unless marked) | Source |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1920 | 15,000 (estimate) | n/a | Est., YMCA [1] |
| 1953 | 35,000 (estimate) | n/a | Est., Jack LaLanne [2] |
| 1982 | 120,000 (estimate) | $12,000 (estimate) | Est., Jane Fonda's Workout (employment) [3]; Est., Bureau of Labor Statistics (pay) [6] |
| 2000 | 157,230 | $22,790 | BLS OEWS 2000 [4] |
| 2003 | 177,790 | $24,510 | BLS OEWS May 2003 [5] |
| 2004 | 182,280 | $25,470 | BLS OEWS May 2004 [5] |
| 2005 | 189,220 | $25,840 | BLS OEWS May 2005 [5] |
| 2006 | 205,970 | $25,910 | BLS OEWS May 2006 [5] |
| 2007 | 219,990 | $27,680 | BLS OEWS May 2007 [5] |
| 2008 | 229,030 | $29,210 | BLS OEWS May 2008 [5] |
| 2009 | 228,170 | $30,670 | BLS OEWS May 2009 [5] |
| 2010 | 225,490 | $31,090 | BLS OEWS May 2010 [5] |
| 2011 | 231,500 | $31,030 | BLS OEWS May 2011 [5] |
| 2012 | 234,070 | $31,720 | BLS OEWS May 2012 [5] |
| 2013 | 238,170 | $33,020 | BLS OEWS May 2013 [5] |
| 2014 | 241,000 | $34,980 | BLS OEWS May 2014 [5] |
| 2015 | 237,760 | $36,160 | BLS OEWS May 2015 [5] |
| 2016 | 257,410 | $38,160 | BLS OEWS May 2016 [5] |
| 2017 | 280,080 | $39,210 | BLS OEWS May 2017 [5] |
| 2018 | 308,470 | $39,820 | BLS OEWS May 2018 [5] |
| 2019 | 325,500 | $40,390 | BLS OEWS May 2019 (employment) [5]; BLS OEWS May 2019 (pay) [9] |
| 2020 | 248,070 | $40,510 | BLS OEWS May 2020 [5] |
| 2021 | 221,600 | $40,700 | BLS OEWS May 2021 [5] |
| 2022 | 250,540 | $45,380 | BLS OEWS May 2022 [5] |
| 2023 | 279,450 | $46,480 | BLS OEWS May 2023 [5] |
| 2024 | 303,620 | $46,180 | BLS OEWS May 2024 [5] |
| 2025 | 322,930 | $47,160 | BLS OEWS May 2025 [5] |

## Sources (82)

### Employment series

1. [YMCA — "YMCA History: 175 Years of Making Communities Better" (1844 founding, 1,400+ facilities by early 20th century)](https://www.ymca.org/who-we-are/our-history), YMCA of the USA
2. [Jack LaLanne — Wikipedia (1936 Oakland health club founding; 1953 television debut; contributions to commercialization of fitness instruction)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack_LaLanne), Wikipedia
3. [Jane Fonda's Workout — Wikipedia (VHS released April 24, 1982; 17 million copies sold 1982-1995; credited with launching mass-market home fitness and fueling aerobics industry growth)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jane_Fonda%27s_Workout), Wikipedia
4. [BLS OES 2000 national estimates (flat file)](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oes00nat.zip), Bureau of Labor Statistics
5. BLS OEWS, national cross-industry estimates (flat file), Bureau of Labor Statistics. Editions: [2003](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm03nat.zip), [2004](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm04nat.zip), [2005](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm05nat.zip), [2006](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm06nat.zip), [2007](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm07nat.zip), [2008](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm08nat.zip), [2009](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm09nat.zip), [2010](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm10nat.zip), [2011](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm11nat.zip), [2012](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm12nat.zip), [2013](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm13nat.zip), [2014](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm14nat.zip), [2015](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm15nat.zip), [2016](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm16nat.zip), [2017](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm17nat.zip), [2018](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm18nat.zip), [2019](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm19nat.zip), [2020](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm20nat.zip), [2021](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm21nat.zip), [2022](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm22nat.zip), [2023](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm23nat.zip), [2024](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm24nat.zip), [2025](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm25nat.zip)

### Wage series

6. [Estimate for 1982 aerobics instructor wages. Aerobics instructors in the early 1980s were typically paid hourly ($5-10/hour, 1982 dollars) for classes and rarely had full-time employment with benefits. The $12,000 annual figure represents a full-time equivalent for an instructor teaching approximately 15 classes/week at $15/class; most instructors earned substantially less. No BLS wage series for fitness trainers existed before the SOC 39-9031 classification. Inflation-adjustment benchmark: $12,000 in 1982 = approximately $38,000 in 2024 dollars (BLS CPI-U calculator).](https://www.bls.gov/data/inflation_calculator.htm), Bureau of Labor Statistics
7. [BLS OES 2000 national estimates (flat file)](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oes00nat.zip), Bureau of Labor Statistics
8. BLS OEWS, national cross-industry estimates (flat file), Bureau of Labor Statistics. Editions: [2003](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm03nat.zip), [2004](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm04nat.zip), [2005](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm05nat.zip), [2006](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm06nat.zip), [2007](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm07nat.zip), [2008](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm08nat.zip), [2009](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm09nat.zip), [2010](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm10nat.zip), [2011](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm11nat.zip), [2012](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm12nat.zip), [2013](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm13nat.zip), [2014](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm14nat.zip), [2015](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm15nat.zip), [2016](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm16nat.zip), [2017](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm17nat.zip), [2018](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm18nat.zip), [2020](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm20nat.zip), [2021](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm21nat.zip), [2022](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm22nat.zip), [2023](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm23nat.zip), [2024](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm24nat.zip), [2025](https://www.bls.gov/oes/special-requests/oesm25nat.zip)
9. [BLS OEWS May 2019 — 39-9031 Fitness Trainers and Instructors (median annual wage $40,390; figure from BLS OOH historical wage references)](https://www.bls.gov/oes/2019/may/oes399031.htm), Bureau of Labor Statistics

### Tool eras

10. [Bernarr Macfadden — Wikipedia (Physical Culture magazine founded 1899; Physical Culture Training Schools; healthatoriums in eastern states; "father of physical culture" designation)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bernarr_Macfadden), Wikipedia
11. [Jack LaLanne — Wikipedia (1936 Oakland health club "the nation's first modern health club"; 1953 TV debut on KGO-TV San Francisco; ran nationally 1959-1985; invented leg extension machine, pulley systems, Smith machine)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack_LaLanne), Wikipedia
12. [Gold's Gym — Wikipedia (founded August 25, 1965 by Joe Gold in Venice Beach, California; "the Mecca of Bodybuilding"; Pumping Iron documentary 1977 filming location)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gold%27s_Gym), Wikipedia
13. [Jane Fonda's Workout — Wikipedia (VHS released April 24, 1982; 17 million copies sold 1982-1995; first non-theatrical video to top sales charts; Fonda credited with creating mass-market fitness instruction as a profession)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jane_Fonda%27s_Workout), Wikipedia
14. [American Council on Exercise (ACE) — "ACE History" (Personal Trainer certification launched 1988; over 250,000 certified fitness professionals by 2010)](https://www.acefitness.org/about-ace/), American Council on Exercise
15. [24 Hour Fitness — Wikipedia (founded 1983 in San Leandro, CA as "24 Hour Nautilus"; ~416 locations at peak; prototype for large-format national gym chain)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/24_Hour_Fitness), Wikipedia
16. [ClassPass — Wikipedia (founded 2013 by Payal Kadakia; unicorn at $1B valuation January 2020; acquired by Mindbody October 2021; boutique studio aggregation model)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ClassPass), Wikipedia
17. [Peloton Interactive — Wikipedia (founded January 2012 by John Foley in NYC; first classes in studio above West Side clothing store; IPO September 26, 2019 at $8.1B valuation)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peloton_Interactive), Wikipedia
18. [Tempo — "How Tempo Works" (3D AI motion capture camera for real-time form correction and rep counting; launched 2020; AI form analysis for injury prevention)](https://tempo.fit/), Tempo
19. [Fitbod — "How Fitbod Works: AI-Powered Workout Planning" (ML-based personalized workout generation; adapts to equipment, recovery, goals; used by over 4 million athletes)](https://fitbod.me/), Fitbod

### Forecasts and exposure studies

20. [BLS Employment Projections 2025-35, National Employment Matrix: 39-9031 Exercise trainers and group fitness instructors (2025: 388.4 thousand; 2035: 416.9 thousand; +7.3%)](https://data.bls.gov/projections/nationalMatrix?queryParams=39-9031&ioType=o), Bureau of Labor Statistics
21. [Frey & Osborne (2013), "The Future of Employment: How Susceptible Are Jobs to Computerisation?", Appendix (SOC 39-9031 Fitness Trainers and Aerobics Instructors: probability 0.085, rank 164 of 702)](https://oms-www.files.svdcdn.com/production/downloads/academic/The_Future_of_Employment.pdf), Oxford Martin School, University of Oxford
22. [Eloundou, Manning, Mishkin & Rock (2023), "GPTs are GPTs", occupation-level exposure data occ\_level.csv (O\*NET-SOC 39-9031.00, human-rated β 0.235)](https://github.com/openai/GPTs-are-GPTs/blob/main/data/occ_level.csv), OpenAI

### Historical notes

23. [Bernarr Macfadden — Wikipedia (Physical Culture magazine founded 1899; Physical Culture Training Schools; "father of physical culture"; legal battles over physique publications)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bernarr_Macfadden), Wikipedia
24. [Jack LaLanne — Wikipedia (1936 Oakland health club opening; age 21; "the nation's first modern health club"; prototype for commercial fitness industry)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack_LaLanne), Wikipedia
25. [Gold's Gym — Wikipedia (founded August 25, 1965 by Joe Gold, Venice Beach; "Mecca of Bodybuilding"; Pumping Iron 1977; franchise model began 1979-1980; international expansion 1985)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gold%27s_Gym), Wikipedia
26. [Jane Fonda's Workout — Wikipedia (released April 24, 1982; $59.95 VHS; 17 million copies 1982-1995; 41 weeks at #1 on Billboard video chart; credited with creating mass-market fitness instruction profession)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jane_Fonda%27s_Workout), Wikipedia
27. [ClassPass — Wikipedia (founded 2013 by Payal Kadakia; marketplace model for boutique fitness; $1B valuation January 2020; Mindbody acquisition October 2021)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ClassPass), Wikipedia
28. [Peloton Interactive — Wikipedia (IPO September 26, 2019; raised $1.16B at $8.1B valuation; instructor-led live streaming model; 12 lead instructors at IPO)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peloton_Interactive), Wikipedia
29. [BLS National Employment Matrix — 39-9031 (2024-34: +11.9%, 370,100 → 414,200); Frey & Osborne (2013) 0.0095 probability of computerization; Tempo AI form correction; Fitbod AI workout planning](https://data.bls.gov/projections/nationalMatrix?queryParams=39-9031&ioType=o), Bureau of Labor Statistics

### Predecessors & successors

30. [Jack LaLanne — Wikipedia (LaLanne transitioned from physical education concepts to commercial health club instruction; model replicated widely as physical educators left school settings for commercial gyms through 1950s-1970s)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack_LaLanne), Wikipedia

### Present-day analysis

- [O\*NET 30.3 — Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors (39-9031.00)](https://www.onetonline.org/link/summary/39-9031.00), accessed 2026-06-03
- [BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook — Fitness Trainers and Instructors (12% growth 2024-2034, 370,100 jobs, $46,180 median annual wage)](https://www.bls.gov/ooh/personal-care-and-service/fitness-trainers-and-instructors.htm), accessed 2026-06-03
- [2026 State of the Personal Training Industry Report — 64% of trainers use AI regularly; 52% use AI for program design; AI-assisted trainers handle 30% more clients](https://www.trainerize.com/blog/ai-for-personal-trainers/), accessed 2026-06-03
- [ISSA — The Human Advantage: How AI Is Reshaping, Not Replacing, Personal Training (2025)](https://www.issaonline.com/blog/post/issa-or-the-human-advantage-how-ai-is-reshaping-not-replacing-personal), accessed 2026-06-03
- [IDEA Health & Fitness Association — Personal Trainer Salary and Compensation Guide 2026 (specialist premiums 68-142%)](https://www.ideafit.com/personal-trainer-salary-compensation-guide/), accessed 2026-06-03
- [WHOOP — WHOOP Coach Powered by OpenAI: first wearable to deliver individualized performance coaching on demand (Sep 2023)](https://www.whoop.com/au/en/thelocker/whoop-unveils-the-new-whoop-coach-powered-by-openai/), accessed 2026-06-03
- [ABC Trainerize — AI Workout Builder: 50% faster programming, real client data integration](https://resources.trainerize.com/ai-workout-builder), accessed 2026-06-03
- [SensAI — Best AI Fitness Apps 2026: wearable-driven adaptation, HRV programming, market comparison](https://www.sensai.fit/blog/best-ai-personal-trainer-apps-2026), accessed 2026-06-03
- [Canva Magic Studio — AI-powered design, video, and writing tools for fitness content creation](https://www.canva.com/magic-studio/), accessed 2026-06-03

How to read these figures: https://futurehistory.earth/methodology. Every figure links to its own source; gaps stay gaps.