Best institutions to study Physical Fitness Technician
A program that prepares individuals for employment in health and fitness clubs, wellness centers, public and private recreation facilities, hospitals and corporate fitness programs where they will perform a variety of instructional and administrative duties.
118 U.S. institutions graduated 1,451 Physical Fitness Technician students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 31.0507, a specialization of Sports (CIP 31.05), and leads most directly to the Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors occupation (BLS SOC 39-9031).
About Physical Fitness Technician programs
A program that prepares individuals for employment in health and fitness clubs, wellness centers, public and private recreation facilities, hospitals and corporate fitness programs where they will perform a variety of instructional and administrative duties. Includes instruction in human anatomy and physiology, fitness techniques, exercise science, personal training, nutrition, and customer service.
See also: 51.0913 - Athletic Training/Trainer.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Physical Fitness Technician program prepares individuals for careers in health and fitness settings, including health clubs, wellness centers, and recreation facilities. It is designed for those interested in promoting physical well-being and helping others achieve their fitness goals through various instructional and administrative duties.
Students will gain knowledge in human anatomy, exercise science, nutrition, and customer service. Core skills include fitness techniques, personal training, and effective communication, which are essential for creating tailored fitness programs and supporting clients in their health journeys.
Credentials awarded
What Physical Fitness Technician graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year883 graduates / yr · 72 institutions61%
- Bachelor's degree275 graduates / yr · 16 institutions19%
- Associate's degree139 graduates / yr · 30 institutions9.6%
- Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years95 graduates / yr · 21 institutions6.5%
- Award of less than 12 weeks38 graduates / yr · 3 institutions2.6%
- Master's degree19 graduates / yr · 1 institution1.3%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate2 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.1%
Graduates over time
Physical Fitness Technician completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 1,002 |
| 2013 | 1,398 |
| 2014 | 1,352 |
| 2015 | 1,759 |
| 2016 | 1,889 |
| 2017 | 1,508 |
| 2018 | 1,356 |
| 2019 | 1,483 |
| 2020 | 1,585 |
| 2021 | 1,431 |
| 2022 | 1,336 |
| 2023 | 1,230 |
| 2024 | 1,307 |
| 2025 | 1,451 |
Top 50 institutions for Physical Fitness Technician, ranked by graduates
Graduates (IPEDS completions), 2024–25. Award levels show which credentials each institution confers in this specialization.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Field earnings* (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Santa Rosa Junior College Santa Rosa, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 108 | 37% | — | — |
| 2 | Focus Personal Training Institute New York, NYPrivate for-profitAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of less than 12 weeks | 94 | 79% | $19,748 | $17,562 |
| 3 | Northern Arizona University Flagstaff, AZPublicBachelor's | 82 | 61% | — | $28,769 |
| 4 | Orange Coast College Costa Mesa, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 70 | 48% | — | — |
| 5 | Indiana University - Indianapolis Indianapolis, INPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 65 | 54% | — | $34,575 |
| 6 | MiraCosta College Oceanside, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 49 | 41% | — | — |
| 7 | East Carolina University Greenville, NCPublicBachelor's | 43 | 63% | — | $29,797 |
| 8 | National Personal Training Institute Orlando, FLPrivate for-profitAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 41 | 93% | $12,771 | $18,641 |
| 9 | Eastern Arizona College Thatcher, AZPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 37 | 42% | — | — |
| 10 | Pasadena City College Pasadena, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 36 | 48% | — | — |
| 11 | Park University Parkville, MOPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 33 | 38% | $16,013 | $28,945 |
| 12 | Glendale Community College Glendale, AZPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 29 | 16% | — | — |
| 13 | Southwestern College Chula Vista, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 29 | 35% | — | — |
| 14 | Saddleback College Mission Viejo, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 28 | 48% | — | — |
| 15 | State University of New York at Cortland Cortland, NYPublicBachelor's | 27 | 68% | — | $28,289 |
| 16 | Long Beach City College Long Beach, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 24 | 30% | — | — |
| 17 | National Personal Training Institute - Tampa Tampa, FLPrivate for-profitAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 23 | 100% | $13,709 | $18,641 |
| 18 | Mesa Community College Mesa, AZPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 21 | 16% | — | — |
| 19 | Lionel University Carpinteria, CAPrivate for-profitAssociate's | 21 | 67% | $28,929 | $46,831 |
| 20 | San Diego Miramar College San Diego, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 19 | 48% | — | — |
| 21 | Springfield College Springfield, MAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 19 | 74% | $26,290 | $34,191 |
| 22 | Central New Mexico Community College Albuquerque, NMPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 19 | 31% | — | — |
| 23 | Moorpark College Moorpark, CAPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 17 | 44% | — | — |
| 24 | Arizona State University Campus Immersion Tempe, AZPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 15 | 68% | — | $32,651 |
| 25 | Cypress College Cypress, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 15 | 37% | — | — |
| 26 | Riverside City College Riverside, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 15 | 37% | — | $25,516 |
| 27 | Central Michigan University Mount Pleasant, MIPublicBachelor's | 15 | 59% | — | $32,850 |
| 28 | Wayne State College Wayne, NEPublicBachelor's | 15 | 52% | — | $35,343 |
| 29 | SUNY Westchester Community College Valhalla, NYPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 15 | 25% | — | — |
| 30 | Northwest Florida State College Niceville, FLPublicAssociate's | 14 | 39% | — | — |
| 31 | Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico - Ponce Ponce, PRPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 14 | 49% | $13,112 | — |
| 32 | Bryan University Tempe, AZPrivate for-profitAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 13 | 41% | $22,877 | $29,856 |
| 33 | Diablo Valley College Pleasant Hill, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 13 | 49% | — | — |
| 34 | Kirkwood Community College Cedar Rapids, IAPublicAssociate's | 13 | 43% | — | — |
| 35 | Fresno City College Fresno, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 12 | 24% | — | — |
| 36 | Aims Community College Greeley, COPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 12 | 40% | — | — |
| 37 | Central Methodist University - College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Fayette, MOPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 12 | 51% | $25,582 | — |
| 38 | Austin Community College District Austin, TXPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 12 | 20% | — | — |
| 39 | Cerritos College Norwalk, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 11 | 31% | — | — |
| 40 | College of the Desert Palm Desert, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 11 | 31% | — | — |
| 41 | Mt San Antonio College Walnut, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 11 | 45% | — | $19,869 |
| 42 | West Valley College Saratoga, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 11 | 51% | — | — |
| 43 | Lane Community College Eugene, ORPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 10 | 20% | — | — |
| 44 | Madison Area Technical College Madison, WIPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 10 | 29% | — | — |
| 45 | University of Southern Indiana Evansville, INPublicBachelor's | 9 | 48% | — | $35,587 |
| 46 | Owens Community College Perrysburg, OHPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 9 | 35% | — | — |
| 47 | Scottsdale Community College Scottsdale, AZPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 8 | 17% | — | — |
| 48 | Johnson County Community College Overland Park, KSPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 8 | 31% | — | — |
| 49 | Schoolcraft Community College District Livonia, MIPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 8 | 18% | — | — |
| 50 | Yavapai College Prescott, AZPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 7 | 34% | — | — |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Sports field (CIP 31.05) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 31 states & territories
Where Physical Fitness Technician graduates come from. Each state links to all Sports programs offered there.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 39-9031, Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Physical Fitness Technician program can pursue careers as Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors, with an expected job growth of 11.9% and approximately 74,200 annual openings. The median wage for these positions is around $46,180, typically requiring a high school diploma or equivalent.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 31.0507
The occupations the NCES crosswalk maps this 6-digit code to, with BLS pay and 10-year outlook.
| Occupation | US median pay | Growth | Openings / yr | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructorsprimary SOC 39-9031 | $47,160 | +11.9% Much faster than average | ~74,200 | High school diploma or equivalent |
Athletic Trainers SOC 29-9091 | $62,520 | +11.1% Much faster than average | ~2,400 | Master's degree |
Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
- Education
- Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
- Experience
- Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Physical Fitness Technician programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this specialization most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
Abilities that matter most
Day-to-day work activities
What graduates do on the job
- Observe participants and inform them of corrective measures necessary for skill improvement.
- Offer alternatives during classes to accommodate different levels of fitness.
- Monitor participants' progress and adapt programs as needed.
- Plan routines, choose appropriate music, and choose different movements for each set of muscles, depending on participants' capabilities and limitations.
- Evaluate individuals' abilities, needs, and physical conditions, and develop suitable training programs to meet any special requirements.
- Instruct participants in maintaining exertion levels to maximize benefits from exercise routines.
Tools and technology used
Other Sports specializations
The 5 other 6-digit CIP codes under Sports (CIP 31.05).
- Exercise Science and KinesiologyCIP 31.050532,855 graduates / yr823 institutions
- Sport and Fitness Administration/CIP 31.0504
Management 18,633 graduates / yr666 institutions - Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/CIP 31.0501
Fitness 12,973 graduates / yr370 institutions - Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/CIP 31.0599
Fitness 1,040 graduates / yr64 institutions - Sports StudiesCIP 31.0508545 graduates / yr47 institutions
Common questions
What types of jobs can I get with this program?+
You can work as a Fitness Technician, Fitness Trainer, or Personal Trainer.
How long does the program take to complete?+
The program typically awards credentials in at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year.
What skills will I develop?+
You will develop skills in customer service, fitness techniques, and critical thinking.
What is the job outlook for this field?+
The job outlook is much faster than average, with a growth rate of 11.9%.
What is the CIP code for Physical Fitness Technician?+
Physical Fitness Technician is CIP 31.0507 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Sports (CIP 31.05). NCES defines it as: A program that prepares individuals for employment in health and fitness clubs, wellness centers, public and private recreation facilities, hospitals and corporate fitness programs where they will perform a variety of instructional and administrative duties. Includes instruction in human anatomy and physiology, fitness techniques, exercise science, personal training, nutrition, and customer service.
How many institutions offer Physical Fitness Technician programs?+
118 U.S. institutions reported Physical Fitness Technician graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 31 states & territories, awarding 1,451 credentials in the year. That is 2.1% of all Sports graduates.
How much do Physical Fitness Technician graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors occupation, which Physical Fitness Technician most directly leads to, pays a median of $47,160 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Sports field report median earnings of $31,253 one year after graduation (College Scorecard).
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
Program definitions are from the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020). Skills, knowledge, abilities, work activities, tools, and job zones are from the O*NET database by the U.S. Department of Labor, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
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