Although West Virginia has been called the outdoor recreation capital of the East, there is still a great need for highly skilled personal trainers here. And those that become pros at motivating, educating, and challenging their clients toward a healthier future are sure to earn top salaries.
In 2013, the President’s Council on Fitness, Sports and Nutrition found that adults in West Virginia were among the least likely to exercise three or more times a week compared to other states in the country. As a result, West Virginia is launching a huge initiative called the 2015 West Virginia Physical Activity Plan to give residents the resources to develop fuller, more active lifestyles.
One of the main objectives of this initiative is to develop a referral system for fitness professionals, including personal trainers, to encourage physical activity in schools and workplaces. This objective is great news for personal trainers, as it will open up more job opportunities, which will likely result in more competitive salary offers.
Personal Trainer Salary and Wage Estimates for West Virginia
In 2013, the United States Department of Labor discovered that a personal trainer’s income relied heavily on their previous work experience.
So, in order to earn the big bucks in West Virginia, you should focus on involving yourself in as many education, training, and job opportunities as possible. Luckily, there are many avenues for personal trainers to get the professional development that employers value:
- Earning your certification in cardiopulmonary resuscitation
- Earning your personal trainer certification
- Earning your college degree in a field-related major
To understand just how important experience matters to your earning potential, take a look at the United States Department of Labor’s salary and wage statistics for fitness trainers working in West Virginia in 2013:
Annual Salaries
- Entry-Level: $16,100/yr.
- Mid-Career: $19,100/yr.
- Experienced: $38,300/yr.
Hourly Wages
- Entry-Level: $7.75/hr.
- Mid-Career: $9.17/hr.
- Experienced: $18.39/hr.
Personal Trainer Salaries and Wages by Location in West Virginia
Of course, experience is not the sole factor influencing a personal trainer’s pay in West Virginia.
Since local communities often have different levels of need for personal trainers, you will find that the average pay changes between geographic regions of the state. In 2013, the United States Department of Labor released the following salary and wage statistics for fitness trainers employed in several major metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas of West Virginia: