How to Become A Personal Trainer in Virginia
Virginia employs approximately 12,100 personal trainers according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $40,820 1. The state’s concentration of personal trainer jobs is 1.42x 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 Virginia, including certification options, training programs, and salary data.
Quick Answers About How to Become a Personal Trainer in Virginia
How to become a personal trainer in Virginia? Virginia requires credentials such as Athletic Trainer. The licensing authority is the Department of Health Professions - Virginia Board of Medicine 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 Virginia? Yes. Virginia has licensing or registration requirements for personal trainers. The Department of Health Professions - Virginia Board of Medicine oversees licensing 3. See the licensing section below for details.
What do personal trainers earn in Virginia? The median annual wage for personal trainers in Virginia is $40,820 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $26,560 and experienced professionals can earn $74,510 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: Department of Health Professions - Virginia Board of Medicine
- Median wage (Virginia): $40,820 per year 1
Personal Trainer License Requirements in Virginia
The Department of Health Professions - Virginia Board of Medicine oversees personal trainer licensing in Virginia 3.
License Types
| License | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Athletic Trainer | “Athletic trainer” means a person licensed by the Virginia Board of Medicine to engage in the practice of athletic training as defined in §54.1-2900 of the Code of Virginia. |
Additional Requirements
- Experience: No experience required
License information sourced from CareerOneStop 4.
Personal Trainer Wages by Metro Area in Virginia
Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors Wages by Metro Area in Virginia
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), exercise trainers and group fitness instructors wages in Virginia vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) |
Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria | 10,440 | $46,190 | $52,140 | $28,070 | $79,720 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk | 2,050 | $38,610 | $43,120 | $27,600 | $61,550 |
| Richmond | 2,000 | $39,110 | $44,280 | $28,380 | $72,680 |
| Charlottesville | 490 | $42,900 | $47,790 | $29,120 | $80,680 |
| Roanoke | 480 | $38,650 | $41,050 | $27,000 | $49,130 |
| Lynchburg | 260 | $36,460 | $39,450 | $25,810 | $59,580 |
| Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford | 140 | $37,290 | $43,250 | $25,810 | $71,690 |
| Harrisonburg | 120 | $35,020 | $39,470 | $25,810 | $63,880 |
| Winchester | 110 | $40,590 | $45,510 | $25,810 | $71,850 |
| Kingsport-Bristol | 90 | $35,750 | $39,700 | $23,390 | $61,400 |
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 .
Top Metros for Personal trainers in Virginia
The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest personal trainer employment within Virginia according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk | 2,050 | $38,610 |
| Richmond | 2,000 | $39,110 |
| Charlottesville | 490 | $42,900 |
| Roanoke | 480 | $38,650 |
| Lynchburg | 260 | $36,460 |
Explore More Trades in Virginia
- Electrician in Virginia
- Plumber in Virginia
- HVAC Technician in Virginia
- Welder in Virginia
- Carpenter in Virginia
- Solar Installation Technician in Virginia
- Auto Mechanic in Virginia
- CNC Machinist in Virginia
- Certified Nursing Assistant in Virginia
- Medical Assistant in Virginia
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for personal trainers in Virginia? Virginia currently employs approximately 12,100 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 Virginia with an out-of-state license? Contact the Department of Health Professions - Virginia Board of Medicine for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.
What training programs are available in Virginia? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in Virginia.
How much do personal trainers earn in Virginia compared to the national average? The median annual wage for personal trainers in Virginia is $40,820, which is $5,360 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/ ↩︎ ↩︎
-
Department of Health Professions - Virginia Board of Medicine - Licensing Information: https://www.dhp.virginia.gov/Boards/Medicine/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
-
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) |