How to Become A Personal Trainer in Massachusetts
Massachusetts employs approximately 9,200 personal trainers according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $64,620 1. The state’s concentration of personal trainer jobs is 1.22x the national average, indicating strong demand. 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 Massachusetts, including certification options, training programs, and salary data.
Quick Answers About Becoming A Personal Trainer in Massachusetts
How do I become a personal trainer in Massachusetts? Massachusetts requires credentials such as ATHLETIC TRAINER. The licensing authority is the Board of Registration of Allied Health Professions - Division of Professional Licensure 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 Massachusetts? Yes. Massachusetts has licensing or registration requirements for personal trainers. The Board of Registration of Allied Health Professions - Division of Professional Licensure oversees licensing 3. See the licensing section below for details.
What do personal trainers earn in Massachusetts? The median annual wage for personal trainers in Massachusetts is $64,620 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $36,110 and experienced professionals can earn $105,390 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: Board of Registration of Allied Health Professions - Division of Professional Licensure
- Median wage (Massachusetts): $64,620 per year 1
- Exam requirement: Third-party exam required
Personal Trainer License Requirements in Massachusetts
The Board of Registration of Allied Health Professions - Division of Professional Licensure oversees personal trainer licensing in Massachusetts 3.
License Types
| License | Requirements |
|---|---|
| ATHLETIC TRAINER | Licensed athletic trainers must be graduates of a college or university program of academic education and clinical training as athletic trainers. |
Additional Requirements
- Background check: No criminal record prohibitions
- Exam: Third-party exam required
- Experience: No experience required
License information sourced from CareerOneStop 4.
Personal Trainer Wages by Metro Area in Massachusetts
Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors Wages by Metro Area in Massachusetts
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 OES data), exercise trainers and group fitness instructors wages in Massachusetts vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton | 7,350 | $65,190 | $72,780 | $36,120 | $105,390 |
| Providence-Warwick | 1,550 | $53,320 | $58,290 | $31,200 | $93,600 |
| Worcester | 730 | $59,800 | $66,080 | $34,280 | $98,370 |
| Springfield | 370 | $54,440 | $59,900 | $33,920 | $96,980 |
| Barnstable Town | 230 | $62,400 | $74,780 | $37,580 | $109,700 |
| Amherst Town-Northampton | 200 | $60,060 | $67,080 | $34,800 | $98,940 |
| Pittsfield | 180 | $61,410 | $65,390 | $43,080 | $97,470 |
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 Massachusetts
The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest personal trainer employment within Massachusetts according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton | 7,350 | $65,190 |
| Worcester | 730 | $59,800 |
| Springfield | 370 | $54,440 |
| Barnstable Town | 230 | $62,400 |
| Amherst Town-Northampton | 200 | $60,060 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for personal trainers in Massachusetts? Massachusetts currently employs approximately 9,200 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 Massachusetts with an out-of-state license? Contact the Board of Registration of Allied Health Professions - Division of Professional Licensure for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.
What training programs are available in Massachusetts? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in Massachusetts.
How much do personal trainers earn in Massachusetts compared to the national average? The median annual wage for personal trainers in Massachusetts is $64,620, which is $18,440 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/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Board of Registration of Allied Health Professions - Division of Professional Licensure - Licensing Information: http://www.mass.gov/ocabr/licensee/dpl-boards/ah/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
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) |