Have you just completed a Pilates certification or school giving you the qualifications of a Pilates instructor? Would you like to pursue this professionally?
Do you already have job offers or do you wonder how to open a pilates studio? That’s great, but you’re probably wondering how much you can earn and at what amount to start negotiations? Want to compare Pilates instructor salaries across the country?
Read our article and you will find out how much you can earn as a Pilates instructor, how to make your work easier and what to do to improve your competencies to earn even more.
Key Takeaways
- According to the fitness industry materials, an average pilates instructor salary varies from $30,000 to $80,000 per year
- Pilates instructor salary depends on factors such as location, experience, type of employer (e.g., fitness studio, private practice), and whether the instructor is full-time or part-time.
- Highly experienced instructors or those who offer private sessions can earn significantly more.
- You can help your pilates studio grow and show yourself as a specialist who introduces improvements, by implementing a pilates studio software. One of the most recommended options on the market is WodGuru with its reasonable price and many useful features.
- For more information, check out our analysis: how much does it cost to open a pilates studio.
According to the fitness industry statistics, an average pilates instructor salary is from $30,000 to $80,000 per year.
What Is a Typical Pilates Instructor Salary?
The typical salary for pilates instructors in the United States varies depending on several factors we will talk about later. However, there are certain ranges provided by various industry sources that we can use as a guide.
As of 2024, the average annual salaries for pilates instructors range between $30,000 and $80,000, with some variations based on the source and specific circumstances.
For example, the job site Indeed.com shows the following average pilates instructor salary in California, based on available job postings with the stated earnings:
According to Salary.com, a Pilates instructor’s salary is around $65,330 annually, with a typical range between $47,752 and $91,567. PayScale reports a lower average salary at about $30,000 annually, while Glassdoor places the average at approximately $48,000. These figures illustrate the range and variability depending on the specific role and location. For instance, Pilates instructor salaries in major cities like New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago tend to be higher, often exceeding $70,000 annually.
- Equinox: Equinox is known for offering competitive salaries and benefits for their Pilates instructors, often including bonuses and additional compensation based on performance and client retention. The average salary for Pilates instructors at Equinox can range from $50,000 to $80,000 per year, depending on experience and location.
- Lifetime Fitness: Lifetime Fitness also offers competitive pay for Pilates instructors, with average salaries ranging from $45,000 to $75,000 annually. They may provide additional benefits, such as health insurance and continuing education opportunities.
- Club Pilates: As one of the largest Pilates franchises, Club Pilates offers instructors a good earning potential. The average salary for a Pilates instructor at Club Pilates can range from $40,000 to $70,000 per year, with opportunities for higher earnings based on experience, location, and class volume.
Read more about the best gyms in the US in 2024 in our another article, where we mention Equinox among others.
What Does a Pilates Instructor Actually Do?
A Pilates instructor is a fitness professional who specializes in teaching Pilates, a form of low-impact exercise that focuses on improving flexibility, strength, and body awareness through controlled movements. Here’s what a Pilates instructor typically does:
- Conduct Classes and Private Sessions: Instructors lead group classes or one-on-one sessions, demonstrating exercises and providing guidance on proper form and technique. They may teach mat Pilates, equipment-based Pilates, or both.
- Customize Workouts: They assess clients’ fitness levels and goals, providing personalized modifications and adjustments to exercises to accommodate various abilities and any physical limitations. Everything with customer satisfaction in mind and thanks to gym reporting and conversations with customers (read more about getting important information thanks to asking proper gym survey questions).
- Educate Clients: Instructors teach key Pilates principles, such as breathing techniques and body alignment, helping clients understand the benefits and philosophy behind the exercises.
- Ensure Safety, Motivation and Satisfaction: They maintain a safe exercise environment, correct improper form, and motivate clients to stay engaged and committed to their fitness goals. Pilates studio’s member satisfaction is one of the most important elements of the instructor’s efforts. It can be done easily via a gym membership software.
- Administrative Duties:
- Schedule Management: Pilates instructors often manage their own schedules, particularly if they are freelance or work across multiple studios or clients. It can be done easily thanks to fitness booking software.
- Client Communication: Instructors maintain communication with clients regarding scheduling, cancellations, and program updates through gym automation.
- Record Keeping: Keeping accurate records of client progress, sessions conducted, and having gym payment systems is an essential part of the job, especially for independent instructors.
What Does a Pilates Instructor Salary Depend On?
A Pilates teacher’s salary depends on several factors:
- location of the gym,
- size of the facility,
- type of the facility,
- experience,
- qualifications,
- specific responsibilities,
- running group or individual classes.
Here is an overview of the average pilates instructor salaries in major US cities, based on research carried out by Indeed.com. You will notice that the largest cities generally have higher salaries:
- New York City, New York: $118,702
- Los Angeles, California: $92,006
- Chicago, Illinois: $111,910
- Houston, Texas: $77,440
- Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: $54,609
- Orlando, FL: $84,550
- Atlanta, GA: $99,001
How to Earn More as a Pilates Instructor?
To be able to negotiate a higher salary, it is definitely worth improving your qualifications.
Additional education, even before it’s completed, significantly improves your image in the eyes of your boss. Enables you to negotiate a better salary too!
- Health and Fitness: Master’s in Exercise Science/Kinesiology: advanced knowledge in physiology and fitness. Certificate in Personal Training: expertise in training and program design.
- Any level of Yoga Teacher Training (YTT) Program: designed to provide comprehensive education and training programs for an aspiring yoga instructor.
- Nutrition and Wellness: Certified Nutrition Specialist (CNS) or Diploma: nutrition and wellness integration.
Secondly, prove that your work is needed and that you are the right person in the pilates teachers team, with a hands on approach. For example, offer modern solutions such as pilates scheduling software.
Using the example of the WodGuru system, show what opportunities it offers to save time and money thanks to useful functions:
- Varied payment options thanks to gym payment software
- Gym member management system
- Gym CRM module
- Gym integration with a website, mobile app and showing your logo to the members and potential clients
- Gym marketing software to increase membership sales
- Gym POS (point of sale)
- Gym staff management software
FAQ
In the USA, Pilates instructors typically make between $25 to $50 per hour. This rate can vary based on factors such as the instructor’s experience, location, the type of studio or gym they work for, and whether they are teaching group classes or private sessions. Instructors in major cities or those with specialized skills or certifications may earn higher hourly rates, sometimes exceeding $70 per hour for private sessions or specialized classes.
The average salary of a pilates instructor is from $30,000 to $80,000 or more. It depends on the location, studio’s brand and other factors.
Becoming a Pilates teacher can be challenging due to the extensive training and knowledge required. Instructors must master the Pilates techniques, understand anatomy and physiology, and learn how to safely modify exercises for different fitness levels and abilities. Additionally, building a client base, maintaining certifications, and staying updated on fitness trends require dedication and ongoing education. While it can be demanding, those passionate about fitness and helping others often find it to be a rewarding career.
