Are you considering a career as a Pilates instructor? Are you looking to benchmark your current salary at the local Pilates studio you’re teaching at?  Let's talk money. As we enter 2025, Pilates instructors in the United States earn an average of $33.86 per hour which works out to $70,426.00 per year – but there's more to the story than just the average.

The salary landscape for Pilates instructors is notably diverse, with earnings spanning from $12.26 to an impressive $66.59 per hour. Most instructors fall within the middle range, earning between $23.08 and $41.35 hourly. This wide range isn't just random – it reflects your career's various factors that affect income such as your expertise, location, and years in the field.  Let’s examine some of these factors.

Annual Salary Treemap by State/Province

Location: Top States with the Highest Annual Salary

Salary is highly location-dependent.  The following are the top States with the highest annual salary:

1. Washington - $79,765
2. District of Columbia - $79,583
3. New York - $77,049
4. Massachusetts - $76,914
5. Alaska - $75,845

source: https://www.ziprecruiter.com/Salaries/Pilates-Instructor-Salary#Yearly

The data show that the highest salaries are concentrated in states with dense urban metropolitan areas and higher costs of living. Coincidentally, the lowest salaries are found in states with lower costs of living, such as Florida, West Virginia, and Arkansas.

How are the salaries typically structured?

Salaries in the Pilates industry fall under three compensation models: 

Percentage-based:

• Some instructors receive 50-60% of what each attendee pays
• This can vary based on memberships or packages

Hourly Rates:

• Group classes: $25-$50 per hour for beginners, up to $65-$95 for experienced instructors
• Private sessions: $35-$100+, with most falling in the $85-$100 range
• Duets or semi-private sessions tend to pay slightly more than group classes

Per-class Rates:

• Range from $27-$100 per class, depending on experience and studio type
• High-end gyms may pay $45-$100 per class, with newer instructors at the lower end and experienced ones at the higher end

Other Factors affecting income:

Experience:

• Beginners typically start at lower rates, around $25-$50 per hour
• Experienced instructors with a solid client base can earn significantly more

Type of Employment:

• Studio employees often earn less than independent instructors or those running their own studios
• Some instructors work at multiple studios to increase their income

Class Type:

• Private sessions generally pay more than group classes
• Mat Pilates may pay differently than equipment-based classes

In conclusion salary is dependent on various factors such as employment type, class type location and specialty.