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Salary comparison

Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors vs. Amusement and Recreation Attendants: Who Earns More?

Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors out-earn Amusement and Recreation Attendants by $15K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors land at $47,160 and Amusement and Recreation Attendants at $32,150. The education gap is real: exercise trainers and group fitness instructor programs typically require high school diploma or equivalent, while amusement and recreation attendant programs require high school diploma or equivalent. Top-paying state for Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors is Massachusetts ($64,620); for Amusement and Recreation Attendants it's Alaska ($45,680).

Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors
Amusement and Recreation Attendants
Median salary
$47,160
$32,150
Hourly rate
$22.67/hr
$15.46/hr
Entry level (10th %)
$28,800
$22,350
Senior level (90th %)
$83,100
$42,490
Education required
High school diploma or equivalent
High school diploma or equivalent
U.S. employment
322,930
397,830
Job growth (10-year)
11.9%
3.4%
Category
Personal Care
Personal Care
Top-paying state
Massachusetts
Alaska

Pay by state

States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors median pay.

State
Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors
Amusement and Recreation Attendants
Massachusetts
$64,620
$34,440
Connecticut
$61,580
$34,860
New Jersey
$59,870
$34,500
Oregon
$58,510
$35,400
California
$57,990
$37,000
Vermont
$57,300
$35,290
Washington
$50,830
$37,790
Colorado
$49,900
$35,770
Hawaii
$48,290
$39,920
Arizona
$47,980
$33,570
Maryland
$47,420
$36,710
New York
$47,090
$36,300
Maine
$47,060
$35,330
Alaska
$46,210
$45,680
District of Columbia
$39,210
$37,960

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025. Highlighted value is higher in each row.

Common questions

Who earns more, Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors or Amusement and Recreation Attendants?

Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors earn more nationally. The median is $47,160 for Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors versus $32,150 for Amusement and Recreation Attendants, a difference of $15K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.

Which has better job growth, Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors or Amusement and Recreation Attendants?

Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors has the better 10-year outlook at 11.9% projected growth, compared to 3.4% for the other field. Both are from BLS Employment Projections.

Which requires more education, Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors or Amusement and Recreation Attendants?

Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors typically requires high school diploma or equivalent. Amusement and Recreation Attendants requires high school diploma or equivalent. Education requirements vary by employer and state licensing board.

Where do Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors get paid the most?

Massachusetts is the top-paying state for Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors at $64,620/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.

How does Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors vs. Amusement and Recreation Attendants pay differ by state?

The gap varies significantly by state. In Massachusetts, Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors earn $64,620 vs. $34,440 for Amusement and Recreation Attendants. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.

Full Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors salary breakdownView →Full Amusement and Recreation Attendants salary breakdownView →Best cities for Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors by take-home payExplore →Best cities for Amusement and Recreation Attendants by take-home payExplore →How to become a exercise trainers and group fitness instructorsGuide →How to become a amusement and recreation attendantsGuide →