Exercise Trainer and Group Fitness Instructor Salary in Raleigh, NC
Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors in the Raleigh-Cary, NC metro area earn a median $48,800 a year — 3% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $39,952 take-home, or $3,329 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median exercise trainer and group fitness instructor salary in Raleigh, NC. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$3,676
- Social Security (6.2%)$3,026
- Medicare (1.45%)$708
- North Carolina income tax$1,438
- Take-home pay$39,952
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 3.99% state
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Exercise Trainer and Group Fitness Instructor pay by experience in Raleigh, NC
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $24,850 | $11.95 | $21,591 | $1,799 |
| 25th percentile | $35,900 | $17.26 | $30,102 | $2,508 |
| Median (50th) | $48,800 | $23.46 | $39,952 | $3,329 |
| 75th percentile | $61,870 | $29.75 | $49,933 | $4,161 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $76,660 | $36.86 | $60,210 | $5,018 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, North Carolina resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $48,800 buys in Raleigh, NC
Prices in Raleigh, NC are 1.8% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.03× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median exercise trainer and group fitness instructor's $39,952 take-home pay has the buying power of $40,703 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Raleigh, NC has 1.7× the national concentration of exercise trainer and group fitness instructor jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for exercise trainers and group fitness instructors, adjusted for cost of living
Raleigh, NC ranks #8 of 29 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Boston, MA | $65,190 | $51,521 | $47,587 |
| 2 | San Jose, CA | $62,010 | $49,429 | $44,763 |
| 3 | Portland, OR | $59,570 | $45,662 | $43,314 |
| 4 | Seattle, WA | $56,380 | $47,481 | $42,725 |
| 5 | San Francisco, CA | $61,000 | $48,691 | $42,116 |
| 6 | Charlotte, NC | $48,540 | $39,754 | $40,837 |
| 7 | Los Angeles, CA | $57,630 | $46,229 | $40,707 |
| 8 | Raleigh, NC | $48,800 | $39,952 | $40,703 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 29 metros →
About the job: exercise trainers and group fitness instructors
Instruct or coach groups or individuals in exercise activities for the primary purpose of personal fitness. Demonstrate techniques and form, observe participants, and explain to them corrective measures necessary to improve their skills. Develop and implement individualized approaches to exercise.
- Typical education
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- Short-term on-the-job training
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +7.3% (faster than average)
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Exercise Trainer and Group Fitness Instructor salaries elsewhere in North Carolina
- Charlotte, NC — $48,540
Frequently asked questions
How much does a exercise trainer and group fitness instructor make in Raleigh, NC?
The median exercise trainer and group fitness instructor salary in the Raleigh-Cary, NC metro area is $48,800 a year, or about $23.46 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $35,900 and $61,870.
What is a exercise trainer and group fitness instructor’s take-home pay in Raleigh, NC?
On the median $48,800 salary, a single filer living in North Carolina takes home about $39,952 a year ($3,329 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $1,438 in North Carolina taxes in 2026.
Is Raleigh, NC a good place to work as a exercise trainer and group fitness instructor?
Pay here is 3% above the national median of $47,160. Local prices are 1.8% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $40,703 would in a typical U.S. city. Raleigh, NC ranks #8 of 29 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a exercise trainer and group fitness instructor afford rent in Raleigh, NC?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Raleigh, NC is $1,596 a month ($1,750 for two bedrooms) — 48% of a median exercise trainer and group fitness instructor’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
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