Dreaming of a career where you can inspire others, stay fit, and earn a living that keeps getting better? Pilates instruction might just be your calling. With the wellness industry exploding and Pilates studios popping up in every city, now is the time to turn your passion for health into a thriving profession. What’s even better? The financial rewards are catching up to the life-changing work instructors provide.
In this blog, we’ll break down just how much Pilates instructors are making—spoiler alert: it’s often double the national average—and show you the pathways to maximize your earning potential. Whether you’re looking to teach in exclusive studios, attract high-paying private clients, or specialize in growing niches like prenatal or rehab-focused Pilates, this guide is packed with insights to help you take the leap and succeed.
Let’s explore why Pilates instruction isn’t just a job—it’s a fast-growing career that puts you at the heart of a movement transforming lives, including your own.
Average Pilates Instructor Salary
The salary outlook for Pilates instructors looks very positive! Although salaries change based on location, demand, and other factors, many experienced instructors in high-demand areas are earning great rates across the US. This is encouraging news for those considering a career in Pilates instruction! The popular job-posting site Indeed.com puts the average base salary for certified Pilates teachers at $34.83 an hour.
Here are some exciting highlights about this figure that we think you’ll find interesting:
- Instructors enjoy consistent block schedules, which helps them maintain a great work-life balance.
- The average salary for Pilates instructors doesn’t just cover their base pay. Many instructors receive wonderful benefits as part of their overall compensation package. Across the U.S., they enjoy perks like employee discounts, flexible schedules, free gym memberships, health benefits, paid sick time, a 401K, and much more!
- Relying solely on teaching regular classes may not always provide enough income. This encourages instructors to explore teaching to different fitness levels to increase their earnings.
- Double the national average: Statista.com pegs the average hourly wage in the U.S. at $15.35 an hour. That means Pilates instructors, on average, are making more than double the average hourly wage in the U.S.
- Private sessions generally yield higher rates for instructors than group classes.
- You have a great opportunity to earn even more! The average salary is $34.83 per hour across the U.S., but keep in mind that different locations can offer much higher rates. According to Indeed, some areas report top-earning salaries are quite impressive, at $56.72 per hour in certain cities.
- Pilates instruction ranks among the highest-paid positions in the health and wellness field in the U.S. For instance, yoga instructors earn an average of $29.85 per hour, while personal trainers earn about $22.41.
- Job availability for Pilates instructors changes throughout the year, often peaking in January.
Pilates instruction is a growing and rewarding career choice, and it is lucrative! With the right certification and a strong reputation, you can boost your earning potential in this exciting field. Don’t worry about finances or what others might think—embracing this path leads to great success!
Ways to Increase Your Earnings Potential as a Pilates Instructor
After you’ve established your career path as a Pilates instructor, it’s a great time to focus on ways to grow and improve your career. By doing this, you can boost your own rates and thus earnings potential in the field. There are plenty of friendly strategies you can use to build your reputation and develop your personal brand as an exceptional Pilates instructor, no matter where you are.
Strategies to use to help your team build on your earnings potential include:
Focusing Your Offerings
In the past, marketing often took a broad approach, trying to reach as many people as possible. Companies spend a lot of money hoping to catch the attention of their target audience. However, we’ve learned that this method is expensive and not very effective. Instead, why not take a more strategic approach? By focusing on specific markets, you’ll improve and refine your offerings and build a strong reputation centered around what you love to do.
To make your marketing efforts a bit more effective, consider grouping your ideal clients into categories. This way, you create tailored campaigns that engage them and encourage them to sign up for your classes.
Here are a few ways to specialize:
- Focusing on areas like pre/post-natal leads to increased income.
- Offering classes in different settings, such as luxury gyms or community centers, affects the demand for Pilates instructors.
- Many instructors find that keeping clients is key to maintaining a steady income.
- You can specialize in specific equipment like the Pilates Reformer, which is popular for advanced techniques and higher-paying clients.
You can segment your market in several ways, such as by addressing specific conditions (like Pilates for spine health or for post-cancer patients), age, fitness level, or even specific Pilates routines. For instance, if you enjoy working with older clients, consider reaching out to this audience. You might partner with assisted living facilities or gyms that offer programs like SilverSneakers® and organize workshops just for them. Over time, you’ll establish a strong reputation in your niche, helping your services stand out and positioning yourself as a trusted authority in the field.
Getting Certified
Going ahead full-time and getting your Pilates certification helps to provide the educational foundation required to teach the many different forms of Pilates safely, and it also sets your services apart. As a certified Pilates instructor, you show students you completed tough certification courses. These courses usually mix in-person and online learning. This helps deepen your understanding of Pilates. This blend not only improves your skills but also enriches the learning experience for everyone involved.
- Instructors may be required to adapt to the unique methods of the studios they work for, such as those at New York Pilates.
There are a number of really high-quality Pilates certification courses out there, including through the Athletics and Fitness Association of America (AFAA) and Pilates Method Alliance (PMA).
Asking For Referrals
One of the most powerful marketing techniques for your Pilates classes at a very localized level is word-of-mouth. As you build your practice, you’re building dedicated students who see the value in the services you provide. These students are usually more than willing to share their good experiences with others. You can help encourage this by incentivizing referrals. Consider an offer like a free or discounted class when a new referral signs up for classes to turn all of your students into some of your best brand evangelists.
Expanding Your Online Presence
These days, just about every company has a web presence to reach customers. According to Pew Research, 9 out of 10 Americans own smartphones, which means the first thing most potential students do when searching for new Pilates classes is to enter “Pilates instruction near me” into their search engine.
Having a strong online presence can really help you connect with students who are looking for Pilates classes. If you join IFG, you’ll not only get access to great Pilates Instructor Insurance, but you’ll also receive a beautiful new professional website that you can launch right away!
- Online teaching opens up exciting opportunities for instructors to reach more clients.
- As a Pilates instructor, freelancing means you can manage your own taxes and marketing, which is rewarding!
Additionally, understanding how to balance class sizes in your studio can improve your income and student experience.
Attending & Hosting Workshops or Retreats
Promoting your name will strengthen your brand, and workshops are a fantastic way to connect with a variety of Pilates enthusiasts all in one place. You’ll meet people interested in classes, discover vendors who boost your services, and connect with fellow Pilates instructors who share your passion. As you gain confidence, think about hosting your own workshops or even Pilates retreats. These events are a rewarding way to earn money while sharing your expertise and love for Pilates!
Protect What You’ve Built with Pilates Insurance
Building out your brand, developing your Pilates prowess, and strategizing how to up your game are all excellent ways to maximize your earnings potential in the industry. However, there’s one more piece of the puzzle that spells long-term success as a top Pilates studio instructor.
- Some instructors start by offering classes out of their homes or shared spaces before opening a full studio.
- Working as an independent contractor often comes with higher per-session rates but requires managing taxes and insurance.
Pilates insurance is the career-long protection that follows you wherever and however you choose to continue to offer services. We’ll explore a few of the many ways that securing insurance coverage early pays huge dividends throughout your career as a Pilates instructor.
Benefits of getting Pilates insurance include:
- Liability protection: $1,000,000 per occurrence, $3,000,000 per year
- Personal Injury & Advertising Injury Coverage: $1,000,000 per occurrence, $3,000,000 per year
- Identity protection: IFG includes up to $25,000 in identity restoration services with every policy.
- Member benefits: aside from all the great protections you get with Pilates insurance, there’s also a host of additional benefits that truly maximize the value of the investment. Awesome discounts, curated content, and more are all included with the cost of your Pilates insurance policy.
By getting insurance early, you feel you’re helping yourself beat the odds should an unfortunate event ever come up. Even for the most practiced Pilates instructors, the risk remains that an accident or other unforeseen event could pop up unexpectedly. Without insurance, these events would require a Pilates instructor to pay any costs out-of-pocket.
The best part is that Pilates insurance with IFG takes just a few minutes to sign up, check out, and enjoy complete coverage.
Secure Your Future as a Pilates Instructor
Creating a rewarding career as a Pilates instructor involves more than just perfecting your skills or making a good hourly wage. It’s also about protecting everything you’ve worked so hard to build. As you grow your reputation, organize retreats, or focus on specific markets, having complete Pilates insurance is fundamental. It allows your love for teaching to flourish without the worry of unexpected challenges.
Pilates insurance from Insure Fitness Group covers you with up to $3,000,000 a year in coverage for less than $0.52 per day.
Ready to Protect Your Passion?
Don’t let unexpected events disrupt your progress. Buy your policy today to enjoy peace of mind and focus on what you do best—helping your clients achieve their fitness goals. Have questions?
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average hourly wage for a certified Pilates instructor?
According to Indeed.com, the average base salary for certified Pilates teachers is $34.83 per hour.
How does this compare to the national average hourly wage?
The average hourly wage in the U.S. is $15.35, meaning Pilates instructors earn more than double the national average.
What factors can influence a Pilates instructor’s salary?
Factors such as geographic location, demand, experience, and whether you work independently or for a studio can influence earnings.
Are there additional benefits beyond the base salary?
Yes, many Pilates instructors receive benefits like employee discounts, flexible schedules, free gym memberships, health benefits, paid sick time, and 401(k) plans.
How can I increase my earnings as a Pilates instructor?
Focusing your offerings, targeting specific markets, and building a solid reputation can help increase your earnings potential in this field.
