Understanding Pilates Instructor Pay Rates in the United States

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Are you considering a career as a Pilates instructor? Or perhaps you’re already in the field and curious about how your pay stacks up against others in the industry? Understanding the common pay rates and structures for Pilates instructors in the United States can help you better navigate your career path.

Factors Affecting Pay Rates

The pay that Pilates instructors earn can vary significantly based on a variety of factors. Factors like location, size of studio, price of classes, and years of experience can play a role in the rate you receive as a Pilates instructor. If you are thinking about becoming an instructor, are a new instructor navigating a new industry or an existing instructor looking to learn if they are compensated fairly, it's important that you do your own research in your community. You may ask other instructors if they are willing to share their personal rates, or reach out to studios to understand their pay scales so that you can be prepared to maximize on your skillset.

Employment Type

In the Pilates industry in the United States, Pilates instructors can be hired as a direct employee of a studio (W-2 Employment), be contracted by a studio as an Independent Contractor of a studio, or work entirely for themselves. It is important to understand your employment status -- it will affect your tax liabilities, your rights under employment law, and your overall take home pay.

Common Pay Structures

Flat Pay Per Class / Session Type

For example, instructor receives a flat rate of $38 per group class and $60 per private session. The pro to this structure is that you have consistent income regardless of class attendance. The con is that there is no opportunity to increase your pay for one single class and if you get caught talking to a client for 15 minutes after class as a part of your rate, your income for time is diluted. It's also important to understand if you are still paid for a class you are schedule for that has 0 sign ups, and if you are holding time and showing up with the possibility of no income for that time.

Base Pay Per Class + Per Head Bonus

For example, the instructor receives a base rate of $25 for 0 - 6 sign ups plus $2 per person over 6. The pro to this structure is there is an opportunity to increase your pay if you teach popular classes. The cons to this structure are that the pay is not consistent or reliable, and there are many factors that are out of your control (even if you teach an amazing class,) and just like the flat rate option, your rate can be diluted if you get caught helping a client or studio after the class time has ended. It is also important to understand if you get compensated for late cancels or no-shows.

Percentage Split

For example, the instructor receives 50% of the revenue the studio brings in for that class or session. The pro to this structure is that if the studio charges premium rates, you can benefit from that. The cons to this structure are that the pay is not consistent or reliable and there are many factors out of your control.

Rental Fees

For example, the instructor rents the studio space for $30/hour and charges clients a personal rate. The pros to this is that you set your own rates, can charge whatever you believe you are worth or what your clients are willing to pay to train with you, and you own your own book of business that you can ethically take anywhere with you. The cons include that you are responsible for client acquistion and are still in competition with whatever that studio may charge directly with other trainers. If the studio charges $95 for a private training and you charge $135, you have to really market why you are worth that much more than someone training with another instructor--and "I have to pay a rental fee" usually isn't enough for a client to justify the difference.

Hourly Rate

Hourly rates are sometimes used by W-2 employers to ensure they are compensating instructors for time spent working for the studio outside of the class itself and protect themselves against legal implications of asking someone to work and not compensating them for that time. It is common for W-2 instructors to be paid an hourly rate for studio operations, team meetings, or mandatory trainings.

Negotiated Rates

While most studios will have a set rate for their instructors depending on particular criteria, like any job, you may be able to negotiate your rates. If you are a highly skilled, popular, and in-demand Pilates teacher, you may be able to counter an offer you receive to increase your earning potential.

Salaries

Salaries are not common; however, some studios may offer a salary to instructors who also act as a General Manager or accept a non-compete offer. The pros to salary are that it is a consistent and predictable source of income; however if you are a General Manager, you have an additional set of responsibilites to juggle and if you have signed a non-compete, you cannot increase your income through teaching in other studios or online, for example.

Benefits

It's very uncommon for Pilates instructors will receive benefits like health insurance and paid time off, for example. You will want to factor this into your decision making process. There may be other benefits like free group classes, access to the studio for self-practice, access to wellness offerings within the studio, and discounts on retail purchases.

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