Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors Salary in Columbia, SC

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Columbia, SC

Median annual salary $39,870 -13.7% vs national
Median hourly $19.17
10th percentile $19,790
90th percentile $57,630
Employed locally 810
National median $46,180

Compare Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors salary & buying power

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Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors
in
Columbia, SC
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $19,790
    25th
    $23,740
    50th (median)
    $39,870
    75th
    $49,060
    90th
    $57,630

    Columbia economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.00% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $66,146 2023 • Census ACS
    Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors salary vs area income 60% Median Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors salary is 40% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Kahului-Wailuku, HI $78,160
    Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury, CT $76,390
    Norwich-New London-Willimantic, CT $73,880
    New Haven, CT $66,170
    Connecticut $65,790
    Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA $62,050

    Nearby metros — Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $60,880
    Prescott Valley-Prescott, AZ $48,850
    Florence-Muscle Shoals, AL $46,290
    Charleston-North Charleston, SC $45,770
    Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC $45,570
    Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA $43,940

    Related occupations in Columbia, SC

    OccupationMedian salary
    Childcare Workers $28,410
    Animal Caretakers $29,620
    Amusement and Recreation Attendants $23,740
    Recreation Workers $30,550
    Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers $27,090
    Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists $29,400

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors make per hour in Columbia?

    The median hourly wage for Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors in Columbia, SC is $19.17, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $29.99 or more per hour.

    Is Columbia above or below average for Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors salaries?

    The median Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors salary in Columbia, SC is 13.7% below the national median of $46,180. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors in Columbia?

    Entry-level Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors (10th percentile) earn around $19,790 per year in Columbia, SC. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $23,740.