Group Exercise Coordinator Salary and Compensation Guide

Group Exercise Coordinators blend programming, people management, and occasional teaching duties. In 2025, these professionals are more critical than ever—shaping group fitness culture, managing instructor teams, and sometimes delivering classes themselves. While IDEA’s legacy data from 2010 gives us historical perspective, today’s landscape reflects broader managerial roles across group fitness. This article offers a contemporary look at the role through current salary data, employment trends, and strategic considerations.
Role Definition & Employment Context
A Group Exercise Coordinator traditionally oversees hiring, training, scheduling, and supervising group fitness instructors while also teaching classes. Though specific public data for this exact role is sparse, compensation trends for closely related positions like Group Fitness Manager and Fitness Coordinator provide a solid proxy.
According to Salary.com (2025), the average Group Fitness Manager earns $51,901 annually (≈ $25/hour), with typical pay ranging from $38,397 to $70,094, depending on experience and location. This reflects the managerial responsibilities and oversight such roles entail.
Compensation Trends in 2025
Pay structures for coordinators and managers vary significantly:
Compensation Benchmarks
- Group Fitness Coordinator (Glassdoor, 2025):
Average salary: $58,740/year, with total compensation (including bonuses) around $64,752 - Fitness Coordinator (Salary.com, June 2025):
Average: $48,098/year. Range spans $39,916 to $58,810 - Fitness Coordinator (Zippia, 2025):
Average: $39,963/year or $19.63/hour, ranging from $29,000 to $55,000 - Fitness Coordinator Hourly (Payscale, 2025):
Median rate: $19.89/hour (range: $15–$28)
These figures suggest that managerial roles in group fitness generally offer salaries between $50K and $65K annually, with venue, market, and individual experience driving variability.
Job Market & Growth Context
While specific employment outlook data for this role is limited, broader industry trends remain positive. The fitness sector continues to grow, driven by increasing public focus on wellness, corporate fitness programs, and community group class offerings. Roles that blend management and delivery, like a Group Exercise Coordinator role, are particularly valuable in facilities aiming to scale programming and maintain instructor quality.
Job posting analysis (e.g., Group Exercise Managers) shows median advertised salaries around $52,096/year or $25/hour, with growth trends of 22% in recent years—highlighting strong demand.
Strategic Insights for Professionals
To thrive or transition into this role, consider the following:
- Develop Leadership Skills: Effective scheduling, instructor mentoring, conflict resolution, and staff development are key components beyond fitness delivery.
- Upskill Technologically: Proficiency with scheduling software, roster management systems, and virtual class platforms can differentiate you.
- Consider Geography: Urban and high-cost regions offer premium pay. Salaries like $58K–$65K for coordinators or managers reflect elevated metropolitan markets.
- Diversify Your Programming: Expertise in multiple formats (e.g., HIIT, recovery, yoga) and hybrid delivery (in-person + digital) makes you an asset in diverse facility models.
2025 Snapshot
Role | Avg Annual Salary | Hourly Rate (approx.) |
---|---|---|
Group Fitness Manager | $51,900 | $25/hr |
Group Fitness Coordinator | $58,740 | – |
Fitness Coordinator (Salary.com) | $48,100 | – |
Fitness Coordinator (Zippia) | $39,900 | $19.63/hr |
Fitness Coordinator (Payscale) | – | $19.89/hr |
Group Exercise Coordinators occupy pivotal roles that shape both programming and culture in fitness facilities. In 2025, compensation reflects their managerial responsibilities, typically ranging from $48K to $65K annually, depending on market and scope. Developing leadership, technological, and programming skills; combined with strategic operating models, positions fitness professionals for successful ascension into these vital roles.
Group Exercise Coordinator Job Description & Stats
A group exercise coordinator hires, trains and supervises group exercise instructors; schedules classes and teachers; may teach classes; follows budget.
Employment Status | |
employee | 85% |
independent contractor | 12% |
both | 3% |
Payment Methods | |
salary | 50% |
per hour | 30% |
per class/session | 20% |
per participant | 0 |
- 70% of directors/coordinators teach classes/sessions in addition to management responsibilities.
- 42% of directors/coordinators are paid separately for classes/sessions taught.
Position Perks | |
benefits | 60% |
cash incentives | 12% |
education fund | 65% |
Pay by Hour, Class or Session | Hours per Week (n = 28) | Hourly Rate (n = 28) |
mean | 25 | $25 |
median | 26 | $24 |
mode | 20 | $20 |
minimum | 3 | $15 |
maximum | 40 | $55 |
Pay by Salary | Hours per Week (n = 19) | Salary (n = 13) |
mean | 37 | $55,000 |
median | 38 | $52,000 |
mode | 40 | $50,000 |
minimum | 10 | $38,000 |
maximum | 50 | $70,000 |
References
Salary.com. (2025, July 1). Group Fitness Manager salary in the United States. https://www.salary.com/research/salary/recruiting/group-fitness-manager-salary
Glassdoor. (2025). Group Fitness Coordinator total pay estimate. https://www.glassdoor.com/Salaries/united-states-group-fitness-coordinator-salary-SRCH_IL.0%2C13_KO14%2C39.htm
Salary.com. (2025, June 1). Fitness Coordinator salary. https://www.salary.com/research/salary/position/fitness-coordinator-salary
Zippia. (2025). Fitness Coordinator salary estimates. https://www.zippia.com/salaries/fitness-coordinator/
Payscale. (2025). Fitness Coordinator hourly pay. https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job%3DFitness_Coordinator/Hourly_Rate
Franklin University Career Guide. (2023). Median salary for group exercise managers. https://www.franklin.edu/career-guide/exercise-physiologists/how-much-salary-do-group-exercise-managers-make