What Do Facilities Pay?

Every facility follows a business model, which impacts all costs,
including salary levels. When looking at these figures, keep in mind how costs are associated with revenue. For example, it is simpler to
associate the cost of a personal trainer with the revenue of a session fee than it is to associate the cost of a fitness instructor with the revenue of a membership fee, which allows access to an entire facility. These cost-revenue associations may impact compensation.

Average hours worked and compensation for the industry were reported in the January 2001 issue of IDEA Health & Fitness Source. These statistics report hours worked and compensation based on type of facility. Based on committee member input, corporations and hospital-based facilities are grouped to create a higher number of respondents.

The percentages of survey respondents by geography are: northcentral 26%, west 26%, northeast 23%, south 21% and other (Canada, Hawaii, Puerto Rico) 5%. They work in multipurpose health clubs (26%), personal training studios (13%), group exercise studios (9%), fitness-only health clubs (8%), hospital
fitness centers (8%), colleges/universities (7%), corporate fitness centers (7%), YMCA/YWCA/JCCs (7%) and other locations (10%).

Surveys were mailed in April 2000 to managers and owners in IDEA’s business, program director and professional membership segments. There were 168 usable questionnaires returned, for a 22% response rate. At a 95% level of confidence, there is a ±7.5% margin of error. Questions about pay criteria and methods, continuing education and benefits were aided; all wage, salary and hours questions were unaided. An independent research firm collected and tabulated the data.