Changing
Social work, sport and culture
Fitness and recreation instructor
#144Changing
Key facts
+4.4%jobs, 2025 to 2035
United StatesEmployment in this job is holding up or growing in the United States, but it is highly exposed to AI. AI exposure: very low according to the ILO, high according to the BLS. Employment change in the United States by 2035: +4.4% (BLS). Working well with AI is becoming an asset.
The job
Fitness and recreation instructors and program leaders (ISCO 3423). Fitness and recreation instructors and programme leaders lead, guide and instruct groups and individuals in recreational, fitness or outdoor adventure activities.
Page built from official classifications (ILO, ESCO); figures cover all the jobs grouped here.
164 job titles linked to this page
Titles from the European ESCO classification. They are also used for search.
- activities coordinator
- activities manager
- activity leader
- aerobics instructor
- alpine guide
- aqua aerobics instructor
- aqua fitness instructor
- assistant open-air activities instructor
- assistant open-air activities teacher
- assistant outdoor activities teacher
- assistant outdoor animator
- canoeing teacher
- climbing guide
- climbing instructor
- climbing teacher
- club attendant
- cruise ship instructor
- cultural activities leader
- dance fitness instructor
- educator in survival techniques
- exercise consultant
- exercise specialist
- exercise therapist
- expedition guide
- expedition leader
- fitness assistant
- fitness attendant
- fitness class instructor
- fitness club attendant
- fitness group instructor
- fitness instructor
- fitness specialist
- group fitness instructor
- gymnastics instructor
- health exercise specialist
- helm
- helm instructor
- helm teacher
- helmsman
- helmsman instructor
- helmsman teacher
- hiking guide
- holiday resort activity leader
- holiday village activity leader
- horse riding coach
- horse riding instructor
- horse riding teacher
- horseback riding instructor
- indoor cycling instructor
- indoor cycling trainer
- instructor in outdoor activities
- instructor in outdoor pursuits
- instructor in survival techniques
- junior instructor
- kayak & canoe instructor
- kayak and canoe instructor
- leisure activities leader
- leisure attendant
- leisure centre assistant
- leisure club assistant
- marine vessel captain
- matwork pilates teacher
- mountain guide
- mountain holiday leader
- mountain leader
- mountain safety coach
- mountain walking guide
- outdoor activities assistant instructor
- outdoor activities centre worker
- outdoor activities coordinator
- outdoor activities facilitator
- outdoor activities instruction practitioner
- outdoor activities instructor
- outdoor activities manager
- outdoor activities supervisor
- outdoor activities trainer
- outdoor activity instructor
- outdoor adventure instructor
- outdoor adventures facilitator
- outdoor animator
- outdoor education instructor
- outdoor education specialist
- outdoor instructor
- outdoor instructor for disabled people
- outdoor leader
- outdoor personal development tutor
- outdoor pursuits group leader
- outdoor pursuits instructor
- outdoor recreation instructor
- paddlesports instructor
- paragliding instructor
- personal coach
- personal fitness trainer
- personal instructor
- personal progress manager
- personal trainer
- personal trainer & nutritionist
- personal trainer & sport therapist
- personal trainer and nutritionist
- personal trainer and sport therapist
- pilates and movement specialist
- pilates coach
- pilates instructor
- pilates matwork instructor
- pilates matwork teacher
- Pilates teacher
- pilates teacher & personal trainer
- pilates teacher and personal trainer
- pilates trainer
- pool attendant
- practitioner of instruction in outdoor activities
- quad bike instructor
- quad bike teacher
- rafting instructor
- rafting teacher
- recreational activities leader
- riding coach
- riding instructor
- riding teacher
- rock climbing guide
- scuba diving instructor
- senior outdoor instructor
- ship steering instructor
- ship steering teacher
- ski guide
- ski instructor
- ski teacher
- ski-touring guide
- skydiving instructor
- special needs outdoor instructor
- specialised outdoor animator
- spinning instructor
- sport & exercise therapist
- sport and exercise therapist
- sport therapist
- sports assistant
- sports attendant
- sports club attendant
- sports inclusion coordinator
- strength and conditioning coach
- survival education instructor
- survival instructor
- survival techniques instructor
- survival trainer
- swimming instructor
- teacher of pilates
- therapeutic riding instructor
- vessel steering instructor
- vessel steering teacher
- water aerobics instructor
- weight room attendant
- well-being personal trainer
- wellness & fitness attendant
- wellness attendant
- wilderness instructor
- wilderness survival instructor
- wilderness survival trainer
- workshop leader
- workshop presenter
- yoga and pilates matwork teacher
- youth activities coordinator
- youth activities leader
- youth coordinator
- youth leader
Training
Check any training provider through official public services before paying.
Gauges
Risk 3/5 · Moderate
AI exposureHighBLS AI exposure category "high" (2026), higher than the ILO 2025 index (very low)
Employment outlookGrowthBLS, 2025-2035 projections (Exercise trainers and group fitness instructors; Recreation workers; Self-enrichment teachers (+5))
Hiring difficultyNot availableNo US indicator measures hiring difficulty job by job
PayAverageBLS, 2025 median annual wage: $65,321
EntryMediumBLS, typical education needed for entry
No US indicator measures hiring difficulty job by job: this gauge stays empty. How countries are compared
Sources
- AI exposure categories and employment projections, 2025-2035 (XLSX file)Bureau of Labor Statistics, United States · August 2026 · official statistics
- Generative AI and Jobs: a refined global index of occupational exposureInternational Labour Organization and NASK · May 2025 · large survey
- ESCO, European classification of skills, competences, qualifications and occupations (job titles and O*NET crosswalk)European Commission · version 1.2 · official statistics
- Jobs in 2030: projections by occupational family (summary table)Dares and France Stratégie · March 2022 · official statistics
- Labour needs survey (BMO) 2026France Travail · 2026 · large survey
- EURES report on labour shortages and surpluses 2025, annexEuropean Labour Authority · June 2026 · official statistics
Checked on 27 October 2026.