"How long does it take to become a personal trainer in Hawaii?"

"The primary Hawaii license requires approximately 18 years of qualifying experience."

"Do personal trainers need a license in Hawaii?"

"Yes. Hawaii requires state-level licensing or registration for personal trainers, administered by the Hawaii State Dept. of Commerce \u0026 Consumer Affairs - Athletic Trainer Registration. See the licensing section above for credential types and current requirements."

"What apprenticeships are available for personal trainers in Hawaii?"

"In Hawaii, registered apprenticeships are administered through the Hawaii Workforce Development Division - Apprenticeships, which works with employers and trade union locals to register programs. See the apprenticeship section above for office contact details."

How to Become A Personal Trainer in Hawaii

Q: "How much do personal trainers earn in Hawaii?"

"According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), personal trainers in Hawaii earned a median annual wage of approximately $48,290. Employment concentration in Hawaii is roughly 0.76 of the national average, meaning fewer workers per capita than the U.S. as a whole."

Q: "What is the job outlook for personal trainers in Hawaii?"

"Hawaii currently employs approximately 990 workers, and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 11.9% national employment change for this occupation from 2024 to 2034."

Updated June 8, 2026 | TradeCareerPath Editorial Team

Hawaii exercise trainers and group fitness instructors earn a median annual wage of $48,290 ($23.22/hr) according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), with about 990 workers employed statewide. The state median is approximately 2.4% above the national median of $47,160 for the same occupation.

Key Takeaways

Median annual pay: $48,290 ($23.22/hr)
25th percentile: $42,620 per year
75th percentile: $61,080 per year
Top 10% earn: more than $81,090 per year
Entry-level (bottom 10%): under $33,420 per year
Workers employed in Hawaii: 990
Versus national median: 2.4% above the U.S. median of $47,160
Job concentration: Location quotient 0.76 - this occupation is less concentrated in Hawaii than the national average

Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025. Last reviewed June 8, 2026.

Hawaii employs approximately 990 personal trainers according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $48,290 ¹. Nationally, personal trainer employment is projected to grow 11.9% from 2024 to 2034, with about 74,200 openings per year ². This page covers how to become a personal trainer in Hawaii, including certification options, training programs, and salary data.

Quick Answers About Becoming A Personal Trainer in Hawaii

How do I become a personal trainer in Hawaii? Hawaii requires credentials such as Athletic Trainer. The licensing authority is the Hawaii State Dept. of Commerce & Consumer Affairs - Athletic Trainer Registration ³. You also need to complete an approved training program or apprenticeship.

How long does it take? Typical requirements include approximately 18 years of experience ³.

Do I need a license in Hawaii? Yes. Hawaii has licensing or registration requirements for personal trainers. The Hawaii State Dept. of Commerce & Consumer Affairs - Athletic Trainer Registration oversees licensing ³. See the licensing section below for details.

What do personal trainers earn in Hawaii? The median annual wage for personal trainers in Hawaii is $48,290 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $33,420 and experienced professionals can earn $81,090 or more ¹.

At a Glance

Training paths: trade school, community college, or apprenticeship
Typical timeline: 1 to 5 years depending on the path
Licensing authority: Hawaii State Dept. of Commerce & Consumer Affairs - Athletic Trainer Registration
Median wage (Hawaii): $48,290 per year ¹
Exam requirement: Third-party exam required

Personal Trainer License Requirements in Hawaii

The Hawaii State Dept. of Commerce & Consumer Affairs - Athletic Trainer Registration oversees personal trainer licensing in Hawaii ³.

License Types

License	Requirements
Athletic Trainer	DESCRIPTION OF OCCUPATION: An Athletic Trainer evaluates and advises individuals to assist recovery from or avoid athletic-related injuries or illnesses, or maintain peak physical fitness.

Additional Requirements

Background check: No criminal record prohibitions
Exam: Third-party exam required
Experience: Work experience required

License information sourced from CareerOneStop ⁴.

Personal Trainer Wages by Metro Area in Hawaii

Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors Wages by Metro Area in Hawaii

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 OES data), exercise trainers and group fitness instructors wages in Hawaii vary by metro area.

Metro Area	Employment	Median Annual Wage	Avg. Annual Wage	Entry Level (10th pctile)	Experienced (90th pctile)
Urban Honolulu	750	$48,200	$53,800	$33,220	$78,820
Kahului-Wailuku	90	$55,120	$64,430	$37,310	$88,010

Wages reflect survey data and vary based on experience, credentials, employer, and local market conditions. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025.

Top Metros for Personal trainers in Hawaii

The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest personal trainer employment within Hawaii according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).

Metro Area	Employment	Median Annual Wage
Urban Honolulu	750	$48,200
Kahului-Wailuku	90	$55,120

Explore More Trades in Hawaii

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the job outlook for personal trainers in Hawaii? Hawaii currently employs approximately 990 personal trainers ¹. Nationally, personal trainer employment is projected to grow 11.9% from 2024 to 2034 ².

Can I work as a personal trainer in Hawaii with an out-of-state license? Contact the Hawaii State Dept. of Commerce & Consumer Affairs - Athletic Trainer Registration for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.

What training programs are available in Hawaii? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in Hawaii.

How much do personal trainers earn in Hawaii compared to the national average? The median annual wage for personal trainers in Hawaii is $48,290, which is $2,110 above the national median of $46,180 according to BLS data ¹.

Citations

About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.

References

Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Hawaii State Dept. of Commerce & Consumer Affairs - Athletic Trainer Registration - Licensing Information: http://cca.hawaii.gov/pvl/programs/athletictrainer/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
CareerOneStop - Licensed Occupations: https://www.careeronestop.org/Toolkit/Training/find-licenses.aspx ↩︎

Data sources

Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.

Data	Provider	Vintage
Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)	U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics	May 2025
Employment Projections	U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics	2024-2034
Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System	National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS)	2024
College Scorecard (school-level outcomes)	U.S. Department of Education	latest release
College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings)	U.S. Department of Education	latest release (updated 2026-06-12)
Occupational licensing requirements	CareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor)	latest release (updated 2026-02-22)
Registered apprenticeship programs	CareerOneStop / Apprenticeship.gov (U.S. Department of Labor)	latest release (updated 2025-10-25)
O*NET occupation profiles (skills, tasks, tools, job zones)	U.S. Department of Labor (O*NET / Employment & Training Admin.)	O*NET 29.1 (updated 2026-06-13)