Become a Personal Trainer in Pennsylvania
The work of a certified personal trainer in Pennsylvania is both challenging and fun, but most importantly it is rewarding. Some of the daily duties of a trainer include:
- Recruiting new clients
- Assessing new clients and learning their goals
- Developing training plans to help clients meet their goals
- Demonstrating exercises and correcting form
- Encouraging and inspiring clients
- Helping clients make healthier diet and lifestyle choices
In other words, as a certified personal trainer in Pennsylvania, you will have the privilege of helping people get healthier, fitter, and stronger. Learn what it takes to be a trainer in Pennsylvania, where the demand for qualified workers is high.
Requirements for Personal Trainers in Pennsylvania
To work as a personal trainer in Pennsylvania, you should have at a minimum a high school diploma or GED and training in First Aid and CPR. For most clients and employers, however, this is not enough. You may be able to get into an internship or training program, but to really be a personal trainer you need an education. The state does not require any particular type of program, but look for certificate and degree programs in personal training, exercise science or kinesiology to get started.
Pennsylvania Programs for Becoming a Certified Personal Trainer
There are several options for learning and training to work in this field. Any type of post-secondary program in a related field is a good place to start. You can choose from a certificate, which typically takes less than a year to a complete, and a two-year associate’s degree.
- HACC, Central Pennsylvania’s Community College, Harrisburg and York. HACC has two campuses offering a non-credit course in learning to become a personal trainer. It’s offered twice a year starting in February and July, and includes 316 hours of coursework and training. The program will prepare you to pass the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) exam for national certification.
- Montgomery County Community College, Blue Bell and Pottstown. Montgomery offers a 31-credit certificate program in personal training. It includes courses in human anatomy, kinesiology, exercise physiology and functional training as well as hands-on training in the gym. Graduates are ready to pass the ACSM exam.
- Pennsylvania College of Technology, Williamsport. For a more in-depth education choose the associate’s degree program in exercise science. This program takes about two years to complete and is one of just two in the state that is recognized by the National Strength and Conditioning Association. It’s designed to get you working as a trainer right after graduation, but you can also transfer the credits to a four-year degree program.
Personal Trainer Certification in Pennsylvania
Personal training certification is not strictly required to begin working as a personal trainer in Pennsylvania, but it will set you apart. And, there are many employers who will require that you hold certification from a recognized national organization such as:
- American Council of Exercise (ACE)
- American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM)
- International Sports Science Association (ISSA)
- National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM)
- National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA)
- National Federation of Personal Trainers (NFPT)
- National Exercise Trainers Association (NETA)
To get certified, you need to pass the exam offered by one of these groups. Any recognized education program should prepare you with everything you need to pass a certification exam.
Personal Trainer Career Outlook and Salaries in Pennsylvania
Growth in jobs for personal trainers is strong across the country. In Pennsylvania, the projected growth is 7.3 percent from 2016 to 2026, which translates to more than 2,000 jobs available for new trainers each hear. Demand is high as more people turn to fitness and healthier lifestyles.
Salaries for trainers are reported as fitness training and instruction, which is a career that requires less education and experience. So, although the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports the annual average salary as $39,820, you can expect to earn more as a certified personal trainer.
Finding Work in Pennsylvania as a Certified Personal Trainer
With such strong growth in the industry, finding your first job or client shouldn’t be difficult. You’ll have the most opportunities in and around the state’s larger cities: Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Allentown, Erie, Reading and Scranton. Even in rural areas, though, you should be able to find work.
Most personal trainers in Pennsylvania work in gyms and are employed by gyms to take on clients requesting personal training. This is a great way to start your career and to get experience working with clients. From there you may choose to start your own training business or to take on clients on a freelance basis.
College Listings
| School | Type | Tuition and fees per year | Net price per year | Personal Trainer programs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Alvernia UniversityReading, PA(610) 796-8200400 Saint Bernardine StAccredited by Middle States Commission on Higher Education |
Private nonprofit | $42,8102023-24 | $26,381 to $30,036by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
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Bucks County Community CollegeNewtown, PA(215) 968-8000275 Swamp RdAccredited by Middle States Commission on Higher Education |
Public | $10,0032024-25 | $5,209 to $12,864by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
|
Butler County Community CollegeButler, PA(724) 287-8711107 College DriveAccredited by Middle States Commission on Higher Education |
Public | $9,0002024-25 | $2,746 to $10,967by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
|
Cairn University-LanghorneLanghorne, PA(215) 752-5800200 Manor AveAccredited by Middle States Commission on Higher Education |
Private nonprofit | $32,6252023-24 | $24,409 to $32,037by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
|
Chatham UniversityPittsburgh, PA(412) 365-1292Woodland Road, Office of Institutional ResearchAccredited by Middle States Commission on Higher Education |
Private nonprofit | $43,8102023-24 | $20,621 to $27,814by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
|
Commonwealth University of PennsylvaniaBloomsburg, PA(570) 389-4000400 East Second StreetAccredited by Middle States Commission on Higher Education |
Public | $11,0462024-25 | $13,799 to $23,167by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
|
Drexel UniversityPhiladelphia, PA(215) 895-20003141 Chestnut StAccredited by Middle States Commission on Higher Education |
Private nonprofit | $60,6632023-24 | $27,737 to $47,490by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
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Duquesne UniversityPittsburgh, PA(412) 396-6000Administration Bldg 600 Forbes AveAccredited by Middle States Commission on Higher Education |
Private nonprofit | $47,1462023-24 | $25,943 to $38,975by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
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East Stroudsburg University of PennsylvaniaEast Stroudsburg, PA(570) 422-3117200 Prospect StreetAccredited by Middle States Commission on Higher Education |
Public | $11,5362024-25 | $12,003 to $19,841by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
|
Elizabethtown CollegeElizabethtown, PA(717) 361-1000One Alpha Drive |
Private nonprofit | $36,8422023-24 | $17,946 to $29,855by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
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Gannon UniversityErie, PA(814) 871-7000109 W Sixth StAccredited by Middle States Commission on Higher Education |
Private nonprofit | $37,9512023-24 | $16,808 to $25,859by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
|
Immaculata UniversityImmaculata, PA(610) 647-44001145 King RoadAccredited by Middle States Commission on Higher Education |
Private nonprofit | $28,5502023-24 | $21,180 to $32,793by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
|
Indiana University of Pennsylvania-Main CampusIndiana, PA(724) 357-21001011 South Dr 201 Sutton HallAccredited by Middle States Commission on Higher Education |
Public | $11,3802024-25 | $12,696 to $21,502by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
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King's CollegeWilkes-Barre, PA(570) 208-5900133 N River StAccredited by Middle States Commission on Higher Education |
Private nonprofit | $42,6002023-24 | $17,178 to $28,775by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
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La Roche UniversityPittsburgh, PA(412) 367-93009000 Babcock BlvdAccredited by Middle States Commission on Higher Education |
Private nonprofit | $33,1202023-24 | $15,334 to $28,932by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
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Lancaster Bible CollegeLancaster, PA(717) 569-7071901 Eden RdAccredited by Middle States Commission on Higher Education |
Private nonprofit | $29,9902023-24 | $16,948 to $27,820by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
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Lebanon Valley CollegeAnnville, PA(717) 867-6100101 N College AveAccredited by Middle States Commission on Higher Education |
Private nonprofit | $50,3202023-24 | $20,164 to $31,143by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
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Marywood UniversityScranton, PA(570) 348-62112300 Adams AveAccredited by Middle States Commission on Higher Education |
Private nonprofit | $39,5702023-24 | $18,927 to $26,569by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
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Mercyhurst UniversityErie, PA(814) 824-2000501 E 38th StAccredited by Middle States Commission on Higher Education |
Private nonprofit | $44,5102023-24 | $20,609 to $31,992by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
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Messiah UniversityMechanicsburg, PA(717) 766-2511One University AvenueAccredited by Middle States Commission on Higher Education |
Private nonprofit | $40,6402023-24 | $22,689 to $31,609by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
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Moravian UniversityBethlehem, PA(610) 861-13601200 Main StAccredited by Middle States Commission on Higher Education |
Private nonprofit | $52,0002023-24 | $25,546 to $33,453by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
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Neumann UniversityAston, PA(610) 459-0905One Neumann DriveAccredited by Middle States Commission on Higher Education |
Private nonprofit | $37,3002023-24 | $25,012 to $34,049by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
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Northampton County Area Community CollegeBethlehem, PA(610) 861-53003835 Green Pond Rd |
Public | $11,3702024-25 | $8,432 to $15,777by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
|
Pennsylvania State University-Main CampusUniversity Park, PA(814) 865-4700201 Old MainAccredited by Middle States Commission on Higher Education |
Public | $20,6442024-25 | $19,458 to $37,209by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
|
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State AbingtonAbington, PA(215) 881-73001600 Woodland RoadAccredited by Middle States Commission on Higher Education |
Public | $15,2682024-25 | $12,668 to $26,043by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
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Pennsylvania State University-Penn State AltoonaAltoona, PA(814) 949-50003000 Ivyside Park |
Public | $15,9442023-24 | $17,269 to $28,543by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
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Pennsylvania State University-Penn State BrandywineMedia, PA(610) 892-120025 Yearsley Mill RoadAccredited by Middle States Commission on Higher Education |
Public | $15,2082024-25 | $16,105 to $28,700by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
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Pennsylvania State University-Penn State HarrisburgMiddletown, PA(717) 948-6250777 West Harrisburg PikeAccredited by Middle States Commission on Higher Education |
Public | $15,9722024-25 | $16,081 to $29,925by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
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Pennsylvania State University-Penn State ScrantonDunmore, PA(570) 963-2500120 Ridge View DriveAccredited by Middle States Commission on Higher Education |
Public | $15,2082024-25 | $13,015 to $24,596by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
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Pennsylvania Western UniversityCalifornia, PA(724) 938-4000250 University AvenueAccredited by Middle States Commission on Higher Education |
Public | $11,4362024-25 | $14,651 to $24,265by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
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Point Park UniversityPittsburgh, PA(412) 391-4100201 Wood StAccredited by Middle States Commission on Higher Education |
Private nonprofit | $38,1602023-24 | $18,999 to $29,375by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
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Saint Joseph's University – PhiladelphiaPhiladelphia, PA(610) 660-10005600 City AvenueAccredited by Middle States Commission on Higher Education |
Private nonprofit | $51,3402023-24 | $30,742 to $37,264by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
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Saint Vincent CollegeLatrobe, PA(724) 539-9761300 Fraser Purchase Rd |
Private nonprofit | $41,1002023-24 | $14,467 to $27,734by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
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Slippery Rock University of PennsylvaniaSlippery Rock, PA(724) 738-90001 Morrow WayAccredited by Middle States Commission on Higher Education |
Public | $10,5682024-25 | $12,762 to $23,422by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
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Temple UniversityPhiladelphia, PA(215) 204-70001801 North Broad StreetAccredited by Middle States Commission on Higher Education |
Public | $23,0112024-25 | $23,080 to $34,632by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
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Thiel CollegeGreenville, PA(724) 589-200075 College Ave |
Private nonprofit | $36,8642023-24 | $19,731 to $26,196by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
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Thomas Jefferson UniversityPhiladelphia, PA(215) 955-60001020 Walnut StreetAccredited by Middle States Commission on Higher Education |
Private nonprofit | $45,6832023-24 | $20,445 to $34,317by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
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University of Pittsburgh-BradfordBradford, PA(814) 362-7500300 Campus DriveAccredited by Middle States Commission on Higher Education |
Public | $14,7702024-25 | $11,294 to $23,283by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
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University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh CampusPittsburgh, PA(412) 624-41414200 Fifth AvenueAccredited by Middle States Commission on Higher Education |
Public | $21,9262024-25 | $17,007 to $34,824by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
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Waynesburg UniversityWaynesburg, PA(724) 627-819151 West College StreetAccredited by Middle States Commission on Higher Education |
Private nonprofit | $29,4602023-24 | $19,790 to $28,697by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
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West Chester University of PennsylvaniaWest Chester, PA(610) 436-1000University Avenue and High StreetAccredited by Middle States Commission on Higher Education |
Public | $10,7752024-25 | $16,800 to $26,575by family income, 2022-23. Calculate your own net price |
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Wilson CollegeChambersburg, PA(717) 264-41411015 Philadelphia AveAccredited by Middle States Commission on Higher Education |
Private nonprofit | $27,0002023-24 | $10,250 to $28,575by 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.