Becoming a Personal Trainer in North Carolina
Are you interested in fitness and health? Can you see yourself working daily in a fitness center? Do you have good interpersonal skills, especially when it comes to motivating others? Do you wish you could share your health and fitness knowledge with others and help them attain their goals?
If so, a career as a certified personal trainer in North Carolina might be for you! Certified personal trainers work with clients, often in the setting of a gym or fitness center, to help them achieve a better level of fitness. As a certified personal trainer, you might be involved in planning training programs, educating clients on proper techniques or helping them stick to their nutrition plan. This highly rewarding career allows you to help others in the best possible way.
Requirements for Certified Personal Trainer in North Carolina
Certified personal trainers do not need to be licensed in the state of North Carolina; however, certain prerequisites might be required prior to seeking certification. Possibilities include a high school diploma or Basic Life Support certification by the American Heart Association.
Personal Trainer Certification in North Carolina
There are many organizations that provide certification to personal trainers. Some of the more popular ones include:
- National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) offers certification as a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist, Certified Personal Trainer, Tactical Strength and Conditioning Facilitator or Certified Special Population Specialist.
- National Federation of Personal Trainers (NFPT) offers certification as a Personal Trainer as well as opportunities for ongoing continuing education.
- American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) offers certifications as a Personal Trainer, Group Exercise Instructor, Exercise Physiologist or Clinical Exercise Physiologist.
- National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM)offers certification as a Personal Trainer Group Fitness Instructor or Nutrition Coach.
- American Council on Exercise (ACE) offers certification as a Personal Trainer, Group Fitness Instructor, Health Coach and Medical Expertise Specialist
Once the certification has been achieved, those wishing to keep it updated might be required to perform ongoing continuing education.
North Carolina Universities Suitable for Certified Personal Trainer Programs
North Carolina has many programs within the state with Bachelor of Science degrees for those wishing to pursue a career in athletics; however, very little exists beneath this degree level. Some possibilities for baccalaureate-level education include:
- Queens University in Charlotte offers a Bachelor of Science in Exercise and Sport Sciences.
- Campbell University in Buies Creek offers a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science.
- Pfeiffer University in Misenheimer offers a Bachelor of Science in Health and Exercise Science.
Salary and Job Growth Projection for Personal Trainers in North Carolina
The Bureau of Labor Statistics, citing data from 2018, lists the average annual salary for fitness trainers and aerobics instructors as $37,020, with an average hourly wage of $17.80. Jobs in this category within the state are expected to grow by 15.9 percent from the years 2016 to 2026, with the number of jobs increasing from 10,510 to 12,180. This is above the national projected job growth rate of 10 percent for this field. On average, 2,040 jobs are expected to be available for this category yearly throughout North Carolina.
Career Opportunities for Personal Trainer in North Carolina
Although the bulk of certified personal trainers in North Carolina are found working in gyms and fitness centers, they can also be found in community organizations, schools, private corporations, government organizations and as self-employed free agents. Personal trainers enjoy flexible scheduling and the ability to work off-hours. Those who are business-minded could own and run their own business once they become established.
Potential employers in the state of North Carolina for certified personal trainers include Life Time Fitness, Inc., Trustmark Companies-HealthFitness, Planet Fitness, GYMGUYZ, CTL Stat Results, Inc., Leidos, Gold’s Gym, The Mentor Network and WTS International.
College Listings
| School | Type | Tuition and fees per year | Net price per year | Personal Trainer programs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Appalachian State UniversityBoone, NC(828) 262-2000287 Rivers StAccredited by Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges |
Public | $7,5792024-25 | $8,370 to $21,991by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
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Campbell UniversityBuies Creek, NC(800) 334-4111143 Main StreetAccredited by Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges |
Private nonprofit | $40,4102023-24 | $18,276 to $31,975by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
|
Chowan UniversityMurfreesboro, NC(252) 398-6500One University PlaceAccredited by Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges |
Private nonprofit | $27,1102023-24 | $13,289 to $22,454by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
|
East Carolina UniversityGreenville, NC(252) 328-6131East 5th StreetAccredited by Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges |
Public | $7,3612024-25 | $11,128 to $22,787by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
|
Elon UniversityElon, NC(336) 278-2000100 Campus DriveAccredited by Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges |
Private nonprofit | $44,5362023-24 | $23,103 to $48,382by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
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Fayetteville State UniversityFayetteville, NC(910) 672-11111200 Murchison RdAccredited by Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges |
Public | $4,3532024-25 | $5,742 to $13,998by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
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High Point UniversityHigh Point, NC(336) 841-9000One University Parkway |
Private nonprofit | $44,2082023-24 | $31,504 to $44,082by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
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Lees-McRae CollegeBanner Elk, NC(828) 898-5241191 Main StreetAccredited by Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges |
Private nonprofit | $31,1402023-24 | $18,829 to $29,115by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
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Mars Hill UniversityMars Hill, NC(866) 642-4968100 Athletic StAccredited by Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges |
Private nonprofit | $37,2702023-24 | $17,337 to $24,291by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
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Meredith CollegeRaleigh, NC(919) 760-86003800 Hillsborough StAccredited by Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges |
Private nonprofit | $43,9362023-24 | $14,337 to $28,045by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
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Methodist UniversityFayetteville, NC(910) 630-70005400 Ramsey StAccredited by Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges |
Private nonprofit | $39,6642023-24 | $20,432 to $30,198by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
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Montreat CollegeMontreat, NC(828) 669-8012310 Gaither Circle |
Private nonprofit | $33,8602023-24 | $21,717 to $29,514by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
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Saint Augustine's UniversityRaleigh, NC(919) 516-40001315 Oakwood AvenueAccredited by Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges |
Private nonprofit | $16,8962023-24 | $17,116 to $20,861by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
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St. Andrews UniversityLaurinburg, NC(910) 277-55551700 Dogwood MileAccredited by Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges |
Private nonprofit | $30,8002023-24 | $28,615 to $35,861by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
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University of Mount OliveMount Olive, NC(919) 658-2502634 Henderson StAccredited by Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges |
Private nonprofit | $25,9502023-24 | $12,115 to $21,442by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
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University of North Carolina at CharlotteCharlotte, NC(704) 687-20009201 University City BlvdAccredited by Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges |
Public | $7,2392024-25 | $9,010 to $20,740by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
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University of North Carolina at GreensboroGreensboro, NC(336) 334-50001400 Spring Garden StAccredited by Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges |
Public | $7,6612024-25 | $6,479 to $18,076by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
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University of North Carolina at PembrokePembroke, NC(910) 521-6000One University DriveAccredited by Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges |
Public | $3,6482024-25 | $7,922 to $15,323by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
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University of North Carolina WilmingtonWilmington, NC(910) 962-3000601 South College RoadAccredited by Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges |
Public | $7,2772024-25 | $11,837 to $25,018by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
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Western Carolina UniversityCullowhee, NC(828) 227-7100Highway 107Accredited by Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges |
Public | $4,6302024-25 | $8,571 to $17,958by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
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Wingate UniversityWingate, NC(704) 233-8000301 E. Wilson StreetAccredited by Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges |
Private nonprofit | $40,1962023-24 | $17,966 to $27,692by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
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Winston-Salem State UniversityWinston-Salem, NC(336) 750-2000601 S. Martin Luther King Jr DrAccredited by Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges |
Public | $6,1262024-25 | $11,012 to $20,815by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
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Tuition and fees are from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS) for the year shown. Net price is the range of the average net prices each school published for different family incomes, from CareerSpy; it covers first-time, full-time students who received federal aid, so yours may differ. Schools that have closed are not listed. Programs shown without a link were added from federal completions data: the school awarded this program in 2022-23 or 2023-24. We have not yet recorded its own page for the program.