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Exercise Instructor II Salary in the United States

How much does an Exercise Instructor II make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for an Exercise Instructor II in the United States is $50,633 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $24.

However, an Exercise Instructor II's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $68,266
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $43,653 to $59,863
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $37,298

Key Factors That Influence Exercise Instructor II Salaries

An Exercise Instructor II's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Exercise Instructor Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Exercise Instructor II's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Certified Massage Therapist (CMT) (0-0 years): $49,514
  • Exercise Instructor I (0-1 years): $38,807
  • Exercise Instructor II (1-3 years): $50,619
  • Personal Fitness Trainer (3-5 years): $67,441
  • Gym Supervisor (5+ years): $69,135
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Certified Massage Therapist (CMT)0-0 years$49,514
Exercise Instructor I0-1 years$38,807
Exercise Instructor II1-3 years$50,619
Personal Fitness Trainer3-5 years$67,441
Gym Supervisor5+ years$69,135

How Do Exercise Instructor II Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Exercise Instructor IIs. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $56,063.
  • California: $55,853.
  • Massachusetts: $55,103.

Top Paying Cities for Exercise Instructor IIs

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $63,863
  • San Francisco: $63,163
  • Oakland: $61,833

What Skills Can Increase an Exercise Instructor II's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Customer Service (Mentioned in 16.27% Job Postings): Customer service is the provision of service to customers before, during and after a purchase. The perception of success of such interactions is dependent on employees "who can adjust themselves to the personality of the guest". Customer service concerns the priority an organization assigns to customer service relative to components such as product innovation and pricing. In this sense, an organization that values good customer service may spend more money in training employees than the average organization or may proactively interview customers for feedback. From the point of view of an overall sales process engineering effort, customer service plays an important role in an organization's ability to generate income and revenue. From that perspective, customer service should be included as part of an overall approach to systematic improvement. One good customer service experience can change the entire perception a customer holds towards the organization.
  • Sports Medicine (Mentioned in 1.85% Job Postings): A branch of medicine that deals with physical fitness and the treatment and prevention of injuries related to sports and exercise.
  • Work Ethic (Mentioned in 1.04% Job Postings): A belief that work and diligence have a moral benefit and an inherent ability, virtue or value to strengthen character and individual abilities. A set of values centered on importance of work and manifested by determination or desire to work hard.
Skills Demand Percentage
Customer Service 16.27%
Sports Medicine 1.85%
Work Ethic 1.04%

What skills can make your compensation higher?

Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on an Exercise Instructor II's salary.

  • Sales Process: Can increase your salary by up to 12%.
  • Goal Oriented: Can increase your salary by up to 9%.
  • Written Communication: Can increase your salary by up to 7%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Sales Process $56,709
12%
Goal Oriented $55,190
9%
Written Communication $54,177
7%

Exercise Instructor II Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Exercise Instructor II salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $54,787. While startup companies pay approximate $46,375.

Exercise Instructor II Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $46,375
Growth Stage 51~500 $49,041
Established 501~5000 $52,910
Enterprise 5000+ $54,787

Exercise Instructor II Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Exercise Instructor II roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 65% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Financial Services and Healthcare sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 30% above the average. In contrast, Exercise Instructor positions in Retail & Wholesale or MFG Durable typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Exercise Instructor II as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for an Exercise Instructor II

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Financial Services$65,823$32.030%
Healthcare$63,291$30.025%
Insurance$58,228$28.015%
Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit$55,696$27.010%
Business Services$53,165$26.05%

Exercise Instructor II Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an Exercise Instructor II's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on September 01, 2026
$43,653
Average $50,633/year
$59,863
$3,638
Average $4,219/month
$4,989
$839
Average $974/week
$1,151
$21
Average $24/hour
$29
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $59,863 $4,989 $1,151 $29
Average $50,633 $4,219 $974 $24
25th Percentile $43,653 $3,638 $839 $21

Exercise Instructor II Salary Growth & Career Path

For an Exercise Instructor II, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Personal Fitness Trainer role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $67,500 - a projected growth of 33% over your current level.

Most common benefits for Exercise Instructor II

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Exercise Instructor II

Here are companies hiring for Exercise Instructor II and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Exercise Instructor II

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Exercise Instructor II?

The Financial Services industry offers the highest average compensation for Exercise Instructor II roles, with salaries approximately 30% above the market median.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

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