How to Become A Personal Trainer in Minnesota
Minnesota employs approximately 7,010 personal trainers according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $43,620 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 Minnesota, including certification options, training programs, and salary data.
Quick Answers About Becoming A Personal Trainer in Minnesota
How do I become a personal trainer in Minnesota? Minnesota requires credentials such as Athletic Trainer. The licensing authority is the Minnesota Board of Medical Practitioners 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 Minnesota? Yes. Minnesota has licensing or registration requirements for personal trainers. The Minnesota Board of Medical Practitioners oversees licensing 3. See the licensing section below for details.
What do personal trainers earn in Minnesota? The median annual wage for personal trainers in Minnesota is $43,620 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $29,660 and experienced professionals can earn $66,650 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: Minnesota Board of Medical Practitioners
- Median wage (Minnesota): $43,620 per year 1
Personal Trainer License Requirements in Minnesota
The Minnesota Board of Medical Practitioners oversees personal trainer licensing in Minnesota 3.
License Types
| License | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Athletic Trainer | Athletic trainers evaluate and treat athletic injuries. The Minnesota Legislature enacted a law in 1993 establishing a registration system for athletic trainers. |
License information sourced from CareerOneStop 4.
Personal Trainer Wages by Metro Area in Minnesota
Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors Wages by Metro Area in Minnesota
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 OES data), exercise trainers and group fitness instructors wages in Minnesota vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington | 5,530 | $44,790 | $47,270 | $29,740 | $72,160 |
| Sioux Falls | 510 | $41,440 | $44,230 | $30,570 | $60,620 |
| Rochester | 350 | $40,460 | $43,120 | $28,690 | $63,900 |
| Fargo | 300 | $37,570 | $42,240 | $30,730 | $61,330 |
| Duluth | 210 | $37,540 | $42,220 | $29,290 | $57,960 |
| La Crosse-Onalaska | 180 | $37,400 | $39,670 | $28,620 | $49,420 |
| St. Cloud | 170 | $38,160 | $40,860 | $28,340 | $55,630 |
| Mankato | 110 | $37,390 | $39,990 | $28,560 | $58,710 |
| Grand Forks | 70 | $37,440 | $36,470 | $20,430 | $53,990 |
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 Minnesota
The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest personal trainer employment within Minnesota according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington | 5,530 | $44,790 |
| Rochester | 350 | $40,460 |
| Duluth | 210 | $37,540 |
| St. Cloud | 170 | $38,160 |
| Mankato | 110 | $37,390 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for personal trainers in Minnesota? Minnesota currently employs approximately 7,010 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 Minnesota with an out-of-state license? Contact the Minnesota Board of Medical Practitioners for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.
What training programs are available in Minnesota? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in Minnesota.
How much do personal trainers earn in Minnesota compared to the national average? The median annual wage for personal trainers in Minnesota is $43,620, which is $2,560 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/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Minnesota Board of Medical Practitioners - Licensing Information: http://www.bmp.state.mn.us/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
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) |