Should personal trainers REALLY be earning more than doctors?

I was in the hospital during the week with my fellow medical student colleagues and a discussion started about the wages we were likely to receive during our first few years out in the "real world."

It suddenly dawned on me how absurd the current personal training market can be in terms of earnings potential. This is especially true when examining personal trainers in Sydney where costs are generally higher than other major cities. 

Due to government regulation, or lack there of, a personal trainer in Sydney can obtain the minimum industry qualification in 12 WEEKS. Personal trainers in the Sydney CBD are likely to earn upwards of $60/hr when they first graduate. Thus calculated at 38hrs/week with 4 weeks annual leave, a new graduate could potentially earn $109,440. Now of course it takes time to build up a clientele of that size and the personal trainer must invest some time and money initially in marketing efforts but contrast this scenario to that of the graduate doctor. Having studied INTENSELY for at least 6 YEARS the young graduate can expect to earn $68,000 in their first year whilst working on night shifts, dealing with life and death situations and missing out on a "lunch break."

Hardly seems fair.

Perhaps governments need to examine more closely how variously health industries are regulated to balance any inequalities that may exist both in terms of educational minimums and remuneration.

I am always happy to talk to new faces regarding health and personal training. Visit www.anthonybloomfield.com.au for more info on my personal training services in the Sydney CBD.

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Kind regards,

Anthony