The biggest difference between personal trainers and athletic trainers is education. While prerequisites vary by employer, personal trainers typically need only a certification to work with clients. The same can’t be said for athletic trainers. Employers often seek candidates with at least a bachelor’s degree in athletic training, but some require a master’s degree in the field to practice. Clientele is also big difference. Personal trainers work with people who want to improve their health and level of fitness -- “want” being the operative word. Athletic trainers work with people who need to improve their health, range of motion or mobility, among others. Also, salaries are fairly divergent. On average, personal trainers earned $36,900 a year
