How to Become A Personal Trainer in South Dakota
South Dakota employs approximately 950 personal trainers according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $40,070 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 South Dakota, including certification options, training programs, and salary data.
Quick Answers About Becoming A Personal Trainer in South Dakota
How do I become a personal trainer in South Dakota? South Dakota requires credentials such as Athletic Trainer. The licensing authority is the South Dakota Board of Medical & Osteopathic 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 South Dakota? Yes. South Dakota has licensing or registration requirements for personal trainers. The South Dakota Board of Medical & Osteopathic Examiners oversees licensing 3. See the licensing section below for details.
What do personal trainers earn in South Dakota? The median annual wage for personal trainers in South Dakota is $40,070 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $30,090 and experienced professionals can earn $58,730 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: South Dakota Board of Medical & Osteopathic Examiners
- Median wage (South Dakota): $40,070 per year 1
Personal Trainer License Requirements in South Dakota
The South Dakota Board of Medical & Osteopathic Examiners oversees personal trainer licensing in South Dakota 3.
License Types
| License | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Athletic Trainer | A person whose responsibility is the prevention, evaluation, emergency care, treatment, and reconditioning of athletic injuries under the direction of the team or treating physician. |
License information sourced from CareerOneStop 4.
Personal Trainer Wages by Metro Area in South Dakota
Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors Wages by Metro Area in South Dakota
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 OES data), exercise trainers and group fitness instructors wages in South Dakota vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sioux Falls | 510 | $41,440 | $44,230 | $30,570 | $60,620 |
| Rapid City | 110 | $46,530 | $44,430 | $30,390 | $57,200 |
| Sioux City | 70 | $35,130 | $39,700 | $28,420 | $58,730 |
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 South Dakota
The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest personal trainer employment within South Dakota according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Sioux Falls | 510 | $41,440 |
| Rapid City | 110 | $46,530 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for personal trainers in South Dakota? South Dakota currently employs approximately 950 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 South Dakota with an out-of-state license? Contact the South Dakota Board of Medical & Osteopathic Examiners for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.
What training programs are available in South Dakota? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in South Dakota.
How much do personal trainers earn in South Dakota compared to the national average? The median annual wage for personal trainers in South Dakota is $40,070, which is $6,110 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/ ↩︎ ↩︎
South Dakota Board of Medical & Osteopathic Examiners - Licensing Information: http://www.sdbmoe.gov/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
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) |