Physical Fitness Technician: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Designed for individuals seeking a dynamic career in health and wellness, this program equips students with the technical knowledge and practical skills needed to thrive in diverse fitness environments. Graduates are prepared to support fitness initiatives in gyms, rehabilitation centers, corporate wellness departments, and community recreation programs, combining scientific understanding with real-world application.
- Human Anatomy and Physiology: A foundational exploration of the structure and function of the human body, focusing on systems relevant to physical activity and performance.
- Exercise Science: The study of how physical movement affects bodily systems, including cardiovascular, muscular, and metabolic responses during exercise.
- Fitness Techniques: Hands-on training in safe and effective exercise methodologies, including strength training, flexibility, endurance, and functional movement patterns.
- Personal Training Principles: Instruction in designing individualized fitness plans, assessing client needs, and delivering motivational, evidence-based guidance.
- Nutrition for Fitness: An overview of dietary principles that support physical performance, recovery, and long-term health, tailored to active lifestyles.
- Customer Service and Professional Conduct: Development of interpersonal and communication skills essential for client engagement, facility operations, and maintaining a positive wellness environment.
Physical Fitness Technician Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Physical Fitness Technician Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Physical Fitness Technician degrees, including Athletic Trainers and Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors. These career paths represent common employment outcomes but are not guaranteed for all graduates. Salary ranges vary by location, employer, experience level, and specific role requirements. Nationally, these occupations employ approximately 332,570 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Athletic Trainers 29-9091 | $60,250 | $45,380 - $84,100 | 28,950 | N/A |
| Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors 39-9031 | $46,180 | $27,580 - $82,050 | 303,620 | $22.20 |
Physical Fitness Technician Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $41,205 in West Virginia to $68,985 in New Jersey—a 67% difference. The highest-paying states include New Jersey, Connecticut, and California. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 332,570 professionals across all states. Explore the interactive map below to compare regional compensation and identify optimal markets for your career goals.
Average Salary Range:
Top Universities for Physical Fitness Technician by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 99 institutions offering Physical Fitness Technician programs for the 2023-2024 academic year (the most recent data reported as of 2025), ranked by the number of graduates. The highest graduate enrollment in Physical Fitness Technician is found at Bryan University (110 graduates), Focus Personal Training Institute (FPTI) (107 graduates), Northern Arizona University (NAU) (77 graduates), MiraCosta College (60 graduates), and Orange Coast College (OCC) (39 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 1,286 graduates across all degree levels. Program availability varies by award level, including Associate, Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees at participating universities and schools.
| College Name | Award Levels | Graduates | Location | Control | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bryan University |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
110 | Tempe, Arizona | Private | bryanuniversity.edu |
| Focus Personal Training Institute (FPTI) |
Residency
Other Award
|
107 | New York, New York | Private | fpti.edu |
| Northern Arizona University (NAU) |
Bachelor's
|
77 | Flagstaff, Arizona | Public | nau.edu |
| MiraCosta College |
Residency
Other Award
|
60 | Oceanside, California | Public | miracosta.edu |
| Orange Coast College (OCC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
39 | Costa Mesa, California | Public | orangecoastcollege.edu |
| Lionel University |
Associate's
|
38 | Carpinteria, California | Private | lionel.edu |
| National Personal Training Institute (NPTI) |
Other Award
|
37 | Orlando, Florida | Private | nptiflorida.edu |
| Santa Rosa Junior College (SRJC) |
Other Award
|
36 | Santa Rosa, California | Public | santarosa.edu |
| East Carolina University (ECU) |
Bachelor's
|
30 | Greenville, North Carolina | Public | ecu.edu |
| College of the Desert (COD) |
Residency
Other Award
|
28 | Palm Desert, California | Public | collegeofthedesert.edu |
| Park University |
Bachelor's
|
28 | Parkville, Missouri | Private | park.edu |
| National Personal Training Institute (NPTI) |
Other Award
|
28 | Tampa, Florida | Private | nptiflorida.edu |
| Long Beach City College (LBCC) |
Other Award
|
25 | Long Beach, California | Public | lbcc.edu |
| Mesa Community College (MCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
23 | Mesa, Arizona | Public | mesacc.edu |
| Indiana University (IU Indianapolis) |
Other Award
|
23 | Indianapolis, Indiana | Public | indianapolis.iu.edu |
| Southwestern College (SWC) |
Residency
Other Award
|
22 | Chula Vista, California | Public | swccd.edu |
| San Diego Miramar College |
Other Award
|
20 | San Diego, California | Public | sdmiramar.edu |
| State University of New York |
Bachelor's
|
19 | Cortland, New York | Public | www2.cortland.edu |
| Saddleback College |
Associate's
Other Award
|
18 | Mission Viejo, California | Public | saddleback.edu |
| Central New Mexico Community College (CNM) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Other Award
|
18 | Albuquerque, New Mexico | Public | cnm.edu |
| Springfield College |
Master's
|
16 | Springfield, Massachusetts | Private | springfield.edu |
| Wayne State College (WSC) |
Bachelor's
|
16 | Wayne, Nebraska | Public | wsc.edu |
| Moorpark College |
Associate's
Other Award
|
15 | Moorpark, California | Public | moorparkcollege.edu |
| Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico (PUCPR) |
Bachelor's
|
15 | Ponce, Puerto Rico | Private | pucpr.edu |
| Pasadena City College (PCC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
14 | Pasadena, California | Public | pasadena.edu |
| Riverside City College (RCC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
13 | Riverside, California | Public | rcc.edu |
| West Valley College (WVC) |
Other Award
|
13 | Saratoga, California | Public | westvalley.edu |
| Alexandria Technical & Community College (ATCC) |
Associate's
|
13 | Alexandria, Minnesota | Public | alextech.edu |
| Central Methodist University-College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (CMU) |
Bachelor's
|
13 | Fayette, Missouri | Private | centralmethodist.edu |
| Southern California Health Institute (SOCHi) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
13 | North Hollywood, California | Private | sochi.edu |
| Scottsdale Community College (SCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
12 | Scottsdale, Arizona | Public | scottsdalecc.edu |
| Cypress College |
Other Award
|
12 | Cypress, California | Public | cypresscollege.edu |
| Northwest Florida State College (NWFSC) |
Associate's
|
12 | Niceville, Florida | Public | nwfsc.edu |
| SUNY Westchester Community College |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
12 | Valhalla, New York | Public | sunywcc.edu |
| Central Michigan University (CMU) |
Bachelor's
|
11 | Mount Pleasant, Michigan | Public | cmich.edu |
| Delta College |
Other Award
|
11 | University Center, Michigan | Public | delta.edu |
| Glendale Community College (GCC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
10 | Glendale, Arizona | Public | gccaz.edu |
| Yavapai College |
Other Award
|
10 | Prescott, Arizona | Public | yc.edu |
| Mt San Antonio College (Mt. SAC) |
Other Award
|
10 | Walnut, California | Public | mtsac.edu |
| University of Southern Indiana (USI) |
Bachelor's
|
10 | Evansville, Indiana | Public | usi.edu |
| Kirkwood Community College |
Associate's
|
10 | Cedar Rapids, Iowa | Public | kirkwood.edu |
| Johnson County Community College (JCCC) |
Other Award
|
9 | Overland Park, Kansas | Public | jccc.edu |
| Rochester Community and Technical College (RCTC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Other Award
|
9 | Rochester, Minnesota | Public | rctc.edu |
| Arizona State University Campus Immersion (ASU) |
Other Award
|
8 | Tempe, Arizona | Public | asu.edu |
| Cerritos College |
Other Award
|
8 | Norwalk, California | Public | cerritos.edu |
| Northern Essex Community College (NECC) |
Associate's
|
7 | Haverhill, Massachusetts | Public | necc.mass.edu |
| York Technical College (York Tech) |
Other Award
|
7 | Rock Hill, South Carolina | Public | yorktech.edu |
| Madison Area Technical College |
Other Award
|
7 | Madison, Wisconsin | Public | madisoncollege.edu |
| South Texas College (STC) |
Other Award
|
7 | McAllen, Texas | Public | southtexascollege.edu |
| Gavilan College |
Other Award
|
6 | Gilroy, California | Public | gavilan.edu |
| Chipola College (CJC) |
Associate's
|
6 | Marianna, Florida | Public | chipola.edu |
| Macomb Community College |
Associate's
|
6 | Warren, Michigan | Public | macomb.edu |
| Dakota County Technical College (DCTC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
6 | Rosemount, Minnesota | Public | dctc.edu |
| Moraine Park Technical College (MPTC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
6 | Fond du Lac, Wisconsin | Public | morainepark.edu |
| Chandler-Gilbert Community College (CGCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
6 | Chandler, Arizona | Public | cgc.maricopa.edu |
| Compton College |
Other Award
|
5 | Compton, California | Public | compton.edu |
| Columbus Technical College (Columbus Tech) |
Residency
Other Award
|
5 | Columbus, Georgia | Public | columbustech.edu |
| Lansing Community College (LCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
Other Award
|
5 | Lansing, Michigan | Public | lcc.edu |
| Owens Community College (OCC) |
Other Award
|
5 | Perrysburg, Ohio | Public | owens.edu |
| Welch College |
Bachelor's
|
5 | Gallatin, Tennessee | Private | welch.edu |
| Austin Community College District (ACC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Other Award
|
5 | Austin, Texas | Public | austincc.edu |
| Rio Hondo College (RHC) |
Other Award
|
4 | Whittier, California | Public | riohondo.edu |
| Colorado Mesa University (CMU) |
Other Award
|
4 | Grand Junction, Colorado | Public | coloradomesa.edu |
| Pensacola State College (PSC) |
Associate's
|
4 | Pensacola, Florida | Public | pensacolastate.edu |
| Central Maine Community College (CMCC) |
Associate's
|
4 | Auburn, Maine | Public | cmcc.edu |
| Schoolcraft Community College District |
Associate's
|
4 | Livonia, Michigan | Public | schoolcraft.edu |
| Emory & Henry University (E&H) |
Bachelor's
|
4 | Emory, Virginia | Private | ehc.edu |
| Cuesta College |
Other Award
|
3 | San Luis Obispo, California | Public | cuesta.edu |
| Fullerton College |
Other Award
|
3 | Fullerton, California | Public | fullcoll.edu |
| Irvine Valley College (IVC) |
Other Award
|
3 | Irvine, California | Public | ivc.edu |
| Santa Ana College (SAC) |
Other Award
|
3 | Santa Ana, California | Public | sac.edu |
| San Diego Mesa College |
Other Award
|
3 | San Diego, California | Public | sdmesa.edu |
| San Joaquin Delta College |
Other Award
|
3 | Stockton, California | Public | deltacollege.edu |
| College of San Mateo (CSM) |
Other Award
|
3 | San Mateo, California | Public | collegeofsanmateo.edu |
| Tallahassee Community College (TCC) |
Associate's
|
3 | Tallahassee, Florida | Public | tcc.fl.edu |
| Cecil College |
Other Award
|
3 | North East, Maryland | Public | cecil.edu |
| Minnesota North College |
Other Award
|
3 | Hibbing, Minnesota | Public | minnesotanorth.edu |
| Niagara County Community College (SUNY Niagara) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
3 | Sanborn, New York | Public | niagaracc.suny.edu |
| Mt Hood Community College (MHCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
3 | Gresham, Oregon | Public | mhcc.edu |
| Butler County Community College (BC3) |
Associate's
|
3 | Butler, Pennsylvania | Public | bc3.edu |
| Howard Payne University (HPU) |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Brownwood, Texas | Private | hputx.edu |
| Averett University (AU) |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Danville, Virginia | Private | averett.edu |
| Northern Wyoming Community College District (NWCCD) |
Associate's
|
3 | Sheridan, Wyoming | Public | sheridan.edu |
| Universidad Ana G. Mendez (UAGM Cupey) |
Associate's
|
3 | San Juan, Puerto Rico | Private | uagm.edu |
| Antelope Valley Community College District (AVCCD) |
Other Award
|
2 | Lancaster, California | Public | avc.edu |
| Diablo Valley College (DVC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Other Award
|
2 | Pleasant Hill, California | Public | dvc.edu |
| Fresno City College (FCC) |
Other Award
|
2 | Fresno, California | Public | fresnocitycollege.edu |
| Glendale Community College (GCC) |
Other Award
|
2 | Glendale, California | Public | glendale.edu |
| Los Angeles Harbor College (LAHC) |
Other Award
|
2 | Wilmington, California | Public | lahc.edu |
| Sierra College |
Other Award
|
2 | Rocklin, California | Public | sierracollege.edu |
| Lamar Community College (LCC) |
Other Award
|
2 | Lamar, Colorado | Public | lamarcc.edu |
| Truckee Meadows Community College (TMCC) |
Associate's
|
2 | Reno, Nevada | Public | tmcc.edu |
| Rowan University |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Glassboro, New Jersey | Public | rowan.edu |
| Lake Region State College (LRSC) |
Associate's
|
2 | Devils Lake, North Dakota | Public | lrsc.edu |
| Salt Lake Community College (SLCC) |
Associate's
|
2 | Salt Lake City, Utah | Public | slcc.edu |
| Bellevue College (BC) |
Residency
Other Award
|
2 | Bellevue, Washington | Public | bellevuecollege.edu |
| Laramie County Community College (LCCC) |
Other Award
|
2 | Cheyenne, Wyoming | Public | lccc.wy.edu |
| Southern Union State Community College (SUSCC) |
Other Award
|
2 | Wadley, Alabama | Public | suscc.edu |
| Ocean County Vocational-Technical School (OCVTS) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
2 | Toms River, New Jersey | Public | ocvts.org |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Physical Fitness Technician programs
How much can I earn with a Physical Fitness Technician degree?
Salaries for Physical Fitness Technician graduates vary by role and location. Athletic Trainers earn a median of $60,250 annually, while Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors earn around $46,180. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in New Jersey average $68,985 compared to $41,205 in West Virginia. Approximately 332,570 professionals work in related occupations nationwide.
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS program, May 2024. Earnings vary by experience, employer, and market conditions.
Which universities have the largest Physical Fitness Technician programs?
Currently 122 accredited institutions offer Physical Fitness Technician degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include Bryan University (110 graduates), Focus Personal Training Institute (FPTI) (107 graduates), and Northern Arizona University (NAU) (77 graduates).
Program size doesn't necessarily indicate quality—consider factors like faculty expertise, production opportunities, location, and available degree levels when choosing a school.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated.
Is enrollment in Physical Fitness Technician growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have increased over the past decade, rising from 291 in 2010 to a peak of 1,585 in 2020, before declining slightly to 1,308 in 2023-24. This represents a 349% increase overall from 2010.
The field remains specialized with steady interest, though opportunities are most concentrated in major metropolitan areas with active arts scenes like New York, California, and Illinois.
Graduate enrollment data from IPEDS, 2010-2024 academic years. Trends reflect reported completions at participating institutions.
What career paths are available with a Physical Fitness Technician degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Athletic Trainers, Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors, . Related occupations employ approximately 332,570 professionals nationwide.
Skills in project management, creative leadership, and collaboration also transfer to event planning, arts administration, marketing, and corporate training roles. Many professionals work freelance or on a project basis across theatre, film, and live events.
Career pathways mapped using CIP-SOC crosswalk from the National Center for Education Statistics. Employment data from BLS OEWS May 2024.
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