SOC 39-9031 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors — Western North Carolina
Western North Carolina nonmetropolitan area · 10 metro areas compared
In Western North Carolina, NC the median wage is $39,490.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
In Western North Carolina, NC the median wage is $39,490. That is 16.3% lower than the national median of $47,160. Pay ranges from under $24,660 at the tenth percentile to more than $62,500 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $32,720 to $50,180.
The area has 380 jobs in this occupation, giving a location quotient of 0.72 — a measure of how concentrated the occupation is here relative to the country as a whole. Within the state, Durham records the highest median at $49,410. Of the 472 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 341st.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $24,660 | −47.7% |
| 25th | $32,720 | −30.6% |
| Median (50th) | $39,490 | −16.3% |
| 75th | $50,180 | +6.4% |
| 90th | $62,500 | +32.5% |
| Mean | $44,040 | −6.6% |
Other metro areas in North Carolina
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Durham | $49,410 | 730 | |
| 2 | Raleigh | $48,800 | 2,680 | |
| 3 | Charlotte | $48,540 | 3,470 | |
| 4 | Asheville | $47,910 | 380 | |
| 5 | Wilmington | $46,450 | 550 | |
| 6 | Fayetteville | $45,620 | 180 | |
| 7 | Greenville | $44,920 | 180 | |
| 8 | Greensboro | $44,630 | 560 | |
| 9 | Hickory | $40,010 | 180 | |
| 10 | Jacksonville | $39,330 | 100 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Western North Carolina run 5.7% below the national average, so the median of $39,490 goes as far as $41,877 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 11.2% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$39,490as reported by BLSLocal price level
94.3US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$41,877US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $39,490 a year, 16.3% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $24,660 to $62,500 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 380 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Durham, at $49,410.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors in Western North Carolina, NC?
The median annual wage is $39,490, or $18.99 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $47,160, so pay in Western North Carolina, NC is 16.3% lower. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in Western North Carolina, NC earns more than $62,500 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $24,660 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in Durham, at $49,410 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 380 jobs in this occupation in Western North Carolina, NC. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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