The Salary for an Assistant Fitness Director
Assistant fitness directors help senior level fitness directors manage the programs, assessments and equipment coordination in health clubs, gyms and fitness centers. In addition to assisting with exercise programs, client training regimens and supervision of fitness staff, assistant fitness directors coordinate scheduling, club membership data and new-member orientations.
Other People Are Reading
-
Salary
-
According to May 2010 data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, fitness professionals in the occupation's lowest earnings percentiles, such as those with assistant or entry-level positions earn between $8.21 and $9.55 per hour on average. This equates to an annual salary of $17,070 to $19,870 per year prior to the deduction of taxes and benefit costs. This hourly rate is only equal to a 22 and 25 percent increase from the federally mandated minimum wage, which as of 2010 is $7.25 per hour or $15,080 per year.
Salary After Advancement
-
BLS data indicates that fitness workers in the occupation's median earnings percentile and above earn between $14.95 and $30.48 per hour. This rate is equal to an average annual salary of between $31,090 and $63,400 per year. This portion of the occupation's wage bracket is composed of fitness professionals with extensive certification in a variety of exercise specialties and equipment, fitness course instruction experience and staff supervisory and facility management responsibilities.
-
Factors Affecting Salary
-
The size of the employing establishment and geographic location play a major role in the average annual salary of assistant fitness directors. Assistants at large-scale clubs in urban areas tend to have more responsibilities than those employed by smaller scale establishments in the nation's more rural states. This is demonstrated by BLS data which indicates that on average fitness workers in New York, the District of Columbia, Massachusetts and New Jersey earn twice those in rural states such as North Dakota, South Dakota, Wyoming and Iowa.
Relevant Background and Skills
-
While there is no required educational or professional path for aspiring assistant fitness directors to take in their pursuit of the occupation, an associate's or bachelor's level degree in recreational management, physical education or communications is extremely valuable. Previous professional experience in a fitness organization as well as any certification in activities such as yoga, Pilates or the martial arts is also highly desired by hiring organizations.
-
References
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics; Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2010-11 Edition: Fitness Workers
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics; Occupational Employment and Wages; 39-9031 Fitness Trainers and Aerobics Instructors, May 2010
- O-Net OnLine: Summary Report for: 39-9032.00 - Recreation Workers
- U.S. Department of Labor: Minimum Wage
Resources
- Photo Credit Photos.com/PhotoObjects.net/Getty Images
