Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors Salary in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA
In Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA, exercise trainers and group fitness instructors earn $54,480 at the median — $26.19 an hour. The range runs from $35K at the entry level to $92K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 108.8), so that salary is closer to $50,074 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $3,124/month — about 87.8% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $54K get you in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara?
About exercise trainers and group fitness instructors
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA
Entry-level exercise trainers and group fitness instructors (10th percentile) start around $35K. Mid-career wages sit at $54K.Top earners bring in $92K or more - a $58K spread from bottom to top.
Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Connecticut | $66K | +42% | 3,040 |
| New Jersey | $61K | +31% | 10,080 |
| Massachusetts | $60K | +31% | 10,870 |
| California | $57K | +23% | 40,010 |
| New Hampshire | $51K | +11% | 1,860 |
| Vermont | $51K | +11% | N/A |
| Washington | $50K | +9% | 10,480 |
| Illinois | $50K | +9% | 18,100 |
| Oregon | $50K | +8% | 4,940 |
| Nevada | $50K | +7% | 3,000 |
| Utah | $49K | +6% | 5,630 |
| New York | $48K | +3% | 19,430 |
| Arizona | $48K | +3% | 5,810 |
| Hawaii | $48K | +3% | 1,000 |
| Alaska | $47K | +2% | 800 |
Track exercise trainers and group fitness instructors salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Santa Maria-Santa Barbara numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do exercise trainers and group fitness instructors make in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA?
The median is $54,480 a year - that works out to about $26.19 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $34,540, and experienced exercise trainers and group fitness instructors can clear $92,110. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $54K enough to live in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $3,688/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $3,124/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 84.7% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb - housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a exercise trainers and group fitness instructors salary go in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara?
Santa Maria-Santa Barbara has a Regional Price Parity of 108.8 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median exercise trainers and group fitness instructors salary is worth about $50,074 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do exercise trainers and group fitness instructors get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.