Personal Trainer in North Dakota

Requirements, salary data, licensing costs, and career ROI for ND. Updated with 2024 BLS OEWS wage data.

Median annual salary
$36,970
trending_down -19.9% vs. national

BLS OEWS 2024, North Dakota.

engineering
740

Jobs (ND)

monitoring Surging
+11.9%

10-yr job growth

payments
$400

Licensing fees

schedule
3-6 months (for certification programs)

Time to complete

route How to become a personal trainer in North Dakota

To become a personal trainer in North Dakota, there is no state-level licensing. Instead, you'll need to obtain certification from a nationally recognized private organization such as NASM, ACE, ACSM, or NSCA. Key steps include being at least 18 years old with a high school diploma or GED, completing a certification program (typically 3-6 months), passing a national exam, and holding a current CPR/AED certification. Many employers also prefer or require a college degree in a related field.

bar_chart Salary percentiles

10th percentile (entry) $22,270
25th percentile $30,910
50th (median) $36,970
75th percentile $47,740
90th (experienced) $55,860

Source: BLS OEWS 2024 for North Dakota. Metro-area wages may differ significantly from the state aggregate.

checklist North Dakota requirements

Licensing bodyNo state-level licensing body; certification by private organizations
State license Not required
EducationHigh school diploma or GED; some employers may prefer or require a college degree in a related field (e.g., Exercise Science, Kinesiology)
ExamNational certification exam (e.g., NASM, ACE, ACSM, NSCA) ($400)
NotesMinimum age of 18. Current CPR/AED certification is typically required by employers and certification programs. Liability insurance is also recommended. While there is no state license, some sources mention a state application process and fees, but this appears to be for 'trainers' or 'coaches' in specific fields like early childhood education or diabetes education, not general personal training.

Source: No state-level licensing body; certification by private organizations

work_outline Job outlook

10-year growth
+11.9%
Much faster than average
Annual openings
74,200
Nationwide per year
Total employment
370,100
Nationwide
neurology

AI & tech impact

verified Low exposure -2.11/1.00

This career has low exposure to AI automation. Most tasks require physical presence, human judgment, or hands-on skills that AI cannot easily replicate.

hub

balance Is it worth it?

  • infoNo state license required — lower barrier but weaker signal
  • check_circleStrong 10-year job growth (+11.9%)
  • check_circleLow AI disruption risk
psychology
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Frequently asked questions

How do I become a personal trainer in North Dakota? expand_more
North Dakota requires personal trainers to complete the required education (High school diploma or GED; some employers may prefer or require a college degree in a related field (e.g., Exercise Science, Kinesiology)), and pass the National certification exam (e.g., NASM, ACE, ACSM, NSCA).
Is a state license required for personal trainers in North Dakota? expand_more
personal trainers in North Dakota are not required to hold a state license. Note: Minimum age of 18. Current CPR/AED certification is typically required by employers and certification programs. Liability insurance is also recommended. While there is no state license, some sources mention a state application process and fees, but this appears to be for 'trainers' or 'coaches' in specific fields like early childhood education or diabetes education, not general personal training.
How much do personal trainers make in North Dakota? expand_more
In North Dakota, the median pay for personal trainers comes to $36,970/year. This trails the $46,180 national median by 20%. Wages range from $22,270 (10th percentile) up to $55,860 (90th percentile).
What's the total cost to get personal trainer certified in North Dakota? expand_more
Plan on spending varies total — that covers exam fee ($400) plus your education and training.
What's the timeline to become a personal trainer in North Dakota? expand_more
Most candidates in North Dakota complete the process in 3-6 months (for certification programs), from enrollment in a training program through licensure.

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