Exercise Trainer and Group Fitness Instructor Salary in Chicago, IL
Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn a median $47,680 a year — 1% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $38,276 take-home, or $3,190 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median exercise trainer and group fitness instructor salary in Chicago, IL. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$3,542
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,956
- Medicare (1.45%)$691
- Illinois income tax$2,215
- Take-home pay$38,276
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 4.95% state
The Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro spans Illinois, Indiana. Pick the state you live in — state income tax follows your residence.
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Exercise Trainer and Group Fitness Instructor pay by experience in Chicago, IL
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $31,470 | $15.13 | $26,053 | $2,171 |
| 25th percentile | $35,770 | $17.20 | $29,295 | $2,441 |
| Median (50th) | $47,680 | $22.92 | $38,276 | $3,190 |
| 75th percentile | $63,080 | $30.33 | $49,887 | $4,157 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $94,920 | $45.63 | $71,052 | $5,921 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Illinois resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $47,680 buys in Chicago, IL
Prices in Chicago, IL are 3.6% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.12× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median exercise trainer and group fitness instructor's $38,276 take-home pay has the buying power of $36,947 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Chicago, IL 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
Chicago, IL ranks #22 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 |
| 22 | Chicago, IL | $47,680 | $38,276 | $36,947 |
*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.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a exercise trainer and group fitness instructor make in Chicago, IL?
The median exercise trainer and group fitness instructor salary in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area is $47,680 a year, or about $22.92 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $35,770 and $63,080.
What is a exercise trainer and group fitness instructor’s take-home pay in Chicago, IL?
On the median $47,680 salary, a single filer living in Illinois takes home about $38,276 a year ($3,190 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $2,215 in Illinois taxes in 2026.
Is Chicago, IL a good place to work as a exercise trainer and group fitness instructor?
Pay here is 1% above the national median of $47,160. Local prices are 3.6% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $36,947 would in a typical U.S. city. Chicago, IL ranks #22 of 29 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a exercise trainer and group fitness instructor afford rent in Chicago, IL?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Chicago, IL is $1,534 a month ($1,743 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%.
Related jobs in Chicago, IL
- First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services — $48,390
- Skincare Specialist — $45,330
- Childcare Worker — $36,610
- Animal Caretaker — $36,110
- Recreation Worker — $35,830
- Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers — $35,000
- Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists — $34,260
- Amusement and Recreation Attendant — $34,170
- Gambling Dealer — $31,200