As a personal trainer you can make a very good living while working at your own pace and on your own schedule. Every extra step you take toward your education, training and certification can pretty much assure you a higher personal training salary than less qualified personal training applicants competing for your job or new clients.
Depending on level of education, certifications, skill and experience, personal training salaries and wages can vary greatly. They can also be highly competitive. Look for one of the few personal training schools that feature an official NASM curriculum and partnership.
Below I have put together some vital information regarding personal training salaries in Colorado using information from NASM, the US Bureau of Labor Statistics and the Department of Labor and Employment for Colorado.
How to Raise Your Earning Potential as a Personal Trainer
If you want to earn the highest salary possible, you should work on getting these skill sets:
Become a skilled leader
Learn to excel in sales
Become an inspiring motivator
Acquire the best personal training certifications
Being certified is only the start to achieving a competitive personal training salary. A well paid personal trainer will also be certified in nutrition and physically therapeutic or corrective exercises. What you really want to do is bring in clientelle and be able to cater to their specific needs no matter what their limitations may be.
I interviewed Chip Huss, a personal trainer program supervisor at one of the personal training schools in Colorado Springs, CO. He is also a certified and experienced personal trainer himself.
Huss shared with me his industry knowledge:
“Most gyms and spas will pay more for trainers with advanced specialty credentials…such as NASM Corrective Exercise Specialist and NASM Fitness Nutrition Specialist credentials.”
Personal Trainer Salary and Wage Statistics for Colorado
A – Professional Certification:
Certifications can make you more employable. Be prepared to sit for:
NASM Certified Personal Trainer Certification(CPT)
NASM Corrective Exercise Specialist Credential (CES)
NASM Fitness Nutrition Specialist Credential (FNS)
B – Employment Growth Projections*:
Much faster that average: 29% increase from 2008-2018.
Job opportunities are very good for those with: A degree in a fitness-related subject and one or more of the following certifications: CPT, CES and/or FNS.
NOTE: National long-term projections may not reflect local job conditions.
C – Colorado Wages: Entry Level to Experienced:
For Annual Salary statistics for 2010, visit these websites:
Department of Labor and Employment; LMI Gateway; Personal Care and Service Occupations;United States Department of Labor; Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2010-11 Edition; Fitness Workers.
Summary
If a career as a personal trainer is in your future, you may now have the edge. Knowing what to expect and how to get there is the first step to obtaining a career in this rewarding field.
Sources
Department of Labor and Employment, LMI Gateway, Personal Care and Service Occupations.
Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2012-13 Edition, Fitness Trainers and Instructors.
Get started today by contacting IntelliTec College – one of Colorado Springs’ newest personal training schools with highly recognized NASM personal training curriculum and personal training externship for quality hands-on training and experience that employers value.