How to Become A Personal Trainer in Indiana
Indiana employs approximately 5,360 personal trainers according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $34,960 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 Indiana, including certification options, training programs, and salary data.
Quick Answers About Becoming A Personal Trainer in Indiana
How do I become a personal trainer in Indiana? Indiana requires credentials such as Temporary Athletic Trainer. The licensing authority is the Indiana Professional Licensing Agency - Indiana Athletic Trainers Board 3. You also need to complete an approved training program or apprenticeship.
How long does it take? Most paths take 1 to 5 years depending on whether you choose trade school, an apprenticeship, or a combination of both.
Do I need a license in Indiana? Yes. Indiana has licensing or registration requirements for personal trainers. The Indiana Professional Licensing Agency - Indiana Athletic Trainers Board oversees licensing 3. See the licensing section below for details.
What do personal trainers earn in Indiana? The median annual wage for personal trainers in Indiana is $34,960 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $22,410 and experienced professionals can earn $56,720 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: Indiana Professional Licensing Agency - Indiana Athletic Trainers Board
- Median wage (Indiana): $34,960 per year 1
- Exam requirement: State exam required
Personal Trainer License Requirements in Indiana
The Indiana Professional Licensing Agency - Indiana Athletic Trainers Board oversees personal trainer licensing in Indiana 3.
License Types
| License | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Temporary Athletic Trainer | IC 25-5.1-3-1 License requirements Sec. 1. (a) To qualify for a license under this article, an individual must satisfy the following requirements: (1) Satisfactorily complete an application for licens… |
Additional Requirements
- Background check: Specific type of conviction prohibited
- Exam: State exam required
- Experience: Work experience required
License information sourced from CareerOneStop 4.
Personal Trainer Wages by Metro Area in Indiana
Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors Wages by Metro Area in Indiana
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 OES data), exercise trainers and group fitness instructors wages in Indiana vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin | 16,350 | $47,680 | $55,050 | $31,470 | $94,920 |
| Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood | 2,220 | $34,190 | $38,390 | $22,410 | $61,030 |
| Cincinnati | 1,840 | $36,850 | $41,380 | $24,390 | $60,680 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County | 910 | $45,180 | $46,440 | $27,720 | $71,270 |
| Fort Wayne | 500 | $30,630 | $33,900 | $18,630 | $47,960 |
| Evansville | 420 | $35,740 | $37,010 | $22,040 | $50,230 |
| Lafayette-West Lafayette | 210 | $35,780 | $37,230 | $24,960 | $46,800 |
| Bloomington | 180 | $38,290 | $39,070 | $23,900 | $59,140 |
| South Bend-Mishawaka | 160 | $38,890 | $40,240 | $22,630 | $58,440 |
| Terre Haute | 90 | $33,740 | $34,440 | $20,460 | $48,400 |
| Columbus | 40 | $34,690 | $36,080 | $22,470 | $55,390 |
| Kokomo | 40 | $35,090 | $39,020 | $28,330 | $61,960 |
| Michigan City-La Porte | 40 | $35,770 | $39,880 | $23,270 | $59,990 |
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 Indiana
The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest personal trainer employment within Indiana according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood | 2,220 | $34,190 |
| Fort Wayne | 500 | $30,630 |
| Evansville | 420 | $35,740 |
| Lafayette-West Lafayette | 210 | $35,780 |
| Bloomington | 180 | $38,290 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for personal trainers in Indiana? Indiana currently employs approximately 5,360 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 Indiana with an out-of-state license? Contact the Indiana Professional Licensing Agency - Indiana Athletic Trainers Board for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.
What training programs are available in Indiana? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in Indiana.
How much do personal trainers earn in Indiana compared to the national average? The median annual wage for personal trainers in Indiana is $34,960, which is $11,220 below 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/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Indiana Professional Licensing Agency - Indiana Athletic Trainers Board - Licensing Information: http://www.in.gov/pla/athletic.htm ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
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) |