Beauty & Personal Care
How to become a Personal Trainer
From no experience: every step, how long it takes, and the credential it earns.
- Time to get there
- 2–6 months
- Typical pay
- $38k–$65k
- Starting from
- No experience
Pay is an estimate of typical US entry-level pay for this role and varies by state, employer and shift. The timeline assumes you are starting from no experience and includes any licence or programme legally required, not just course length.
See personal trainer jobs open nowThe route
Get a nationally accredited certification
NASM, ACE or NSCA. Employers check for NCCA accreditation specifically.
NASM-CPT, ACE-CPT or NSCA-CPT
Get CPR and AED certified
Required alongside the certification everywhere you would be insured to work.
Course that covers thisCPR/AED Awareness Course: Save Lives with ConfidenceUdemy · around $19.99CPR / AED certification
Start at a commercial gym
Said plainly: gym floors pay a low base and expect you to sell your own sessions.
Build a book or specialise
Independent training, or specialise in rehab, strength or seniors. Specialists set the rate.
- Browse jobs now
Destination
Personal Trainer
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