How to Become A Personal Trainer in North Carolina
North Carolina employs approximately 10,670 personal trainers according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $46,450 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 North Carolina, including certification options, training programs, and salary data.
Quick Answers About Becoming A Personal Trainer in North Carolina
How do I become a personal trainer in North Carolina? North Carolina requires credentials such as Licensed Athletic Trainer. The licensing authority is the NC Board of Athletic Trainer Examiners 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 North Carolina? Yes. North Carolina has licensing or registration requirements for personal trainers. The NC Board of Athletic Trainer Examiners oversees licensing 3. See the licensing section below for details.
What do personal trainers earn in North Carolina? The median annual wage for personal trainers in North Carolina is $46,450 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $24,910 and experienced professionals can earn $74,210 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: NC Board of Athletic Trainer Examiners
- Median wage (North Carolina): $46,450 per year 1
- Exam requirement: Third-party exam required
Personal Trainer License Requirements in North Carolina
The NC Board of Athletic Trainer Examiners oversees personal trainer licensing in North Carolina 3.
License Types
| License | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Licensed Athletic Trainer | A person who, under a written protocol with a physician licensed under Article 1 of Chapter 90 of the General Statutes and filed with the North Carolina Medical Board, carries out the practice of care… |
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 North Carolina
Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors Wages by Metro Area in North Carolina
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 OES data), exercise trainers and group fitness instructors wages in North Carolina vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia | 3,470 | $48,540 | $48,730 | $24,990 | $74,850 |
| Raleigh-Cary | 2,680 | $48,800 | $50,750 | $24,850 | $76,660 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk | 2,050 | $38,610 | $43,120 | $27,600 | $61,550 |
| Durham-Chapel Hill | 730 | $49,410 | $51,970 | $31,130 | $74,680 |
| Greensboro-High Point | 560 | $44,630 | $44,490 | $21,990 | $64,150 |
| Wilmington | 550 | $46,450 | $51,390 | $28,100 | $75,000 |
| Winston-Salem | 530 | $38,080 | $42,490 | $23,710 | $64,300 |
| Asheville | 380 | $47,910 | $49,540 | $30,340 | $69,820 |
| Fayetteville | 180 | $45,620 | $48,570 | $28,820 | $71,650 |
| Greenville | 180 | $44,920 | $46,370 | $29,120 | $60,580 |
| Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton | 180 | $40,010 | $42,130 | $24,070 | $62,180 |
| Burlington | 170 | $36,650 | $41,570 | $22,820 | $61,730 |
| Jacksonville | 100 | $39,330 | $45,470 | $27,180 | $69,470 |
| Pinehurst-Southern Pines | 100 | $37,260 | $39,310 | $21,690 | $61,200 |
| Rocky Mount | 70 | $30,330 | $38,420 | $23,710 | $60,060 |
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 North Carolina
The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest personal trainer employment within North Carolina according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia | 3,470 | $48,540 |
| Raleigh-Cary | 2,680 | $48,800 |
| Durham-Chapel Hill | 730 | $49,410 |
| Greensboro-High Point | 560 | $44,630 |
| Wilmington | 550 | $46,450 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for personal trainers in North Carolina? North Carolina currently employs approximately 10,670 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 North Carolina with an out-of-state license? Contact the NC Board of Athletic Trainer Examiners for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.
What training programs are available in North Carolina? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in North Carolina.
How much do personal trainers earn in North Carolina compared to the national average? The median annual wage for personal trainers in North Carolina is $46,450, which is $270 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/ ↩︎ ↩︎
NC Board of Athletic Trainer Examiners - Licensing Information: http://www.ncbate.org/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
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) |