The leading benchmarking guide for compensation, benefits, and workforce trends in the health and fitness industry.
Recruiting and keeping high-performing employees continues to be one of the biggest challenges for fitness facility operators. The 2026 Employee Compensation & Benefits Report for the Commercial Health & Fitness Industry delivers the most detailed benchmarking insights available, enabling owners and operators to assess pay strategies, employee benefits, and workforce policies with confidence.
Compiled from survey responses provided by 88 companies representing approximately 1,400 facilities across the United States and Canada, the report includes extensive compensation and benefits data covering nearly 50 job positions across executive leadership, salaried club-level roles, and hourly staff.
What the Report Covers 2026 Employee Compensation
Comprehensive Compensation Benchmarks
- Median and average total compensation figures for around 50 standard industry positions
- Detailed breakdowns by:
- Annual company revenue
- Geographic region (U.S. census regions)
- Organizational structure
- Primary facility type
- Number of clubs owned or operated
- Separate analysis for Canadian participants
All segmentation is presented only where sufficient data exists to maintain both statistical accuracy and respondent confidentiality.
Executive and Leadership Pay Trends (2026 Employee Compensation )Â
- Compensation growth across various revenue levels
- Bonus and commission structure insights
- Education requirements and tenure patterns
- Pay comparisons between corporate executives and club-level management
Insights on Salaried and Hourly Staff
- Salary and wage benchmarks for key frontline and operational roles
- Average hiring timelines by position
- Employee turnover rates by role type
- Effectiveness of recruiting channels
Benefits, Retirement & Leave Policies
- Prevalence of health coverage options (PPO, HMO, and HSA-qualified plans)
- Employer contribution percentages for individual and family health plans
- Retirement plan access and average employer match rates
- Paid time off benchmarks by employee tenure
- Sick leave structures and accrual methods
- Adoption of remote and hybrid work arrangements for corporate personnel
Research Methodology
In September 2025, fitness facility owners and operators received email invitations to complete a confidential online survey. A total of 88 completed responses were collected, representing roughly 1,400 facilities. Eleven submissions came from Canadian organizations, and their results are reported separately within the study.
The report was developed in collaboration with Industry Insights, an independent research firm known for conducting association-based benchmarking research.
How to Access the Report
The 2026 Employee Compensation & Benefits Report for the Commercial Health & Fitness Industry is available at no cost to HFA members as part of their membership benefits. Professional members are eligible for discounted pricing.Â
Non-members can explore HFA membership options or purchase the full report for $699.Â
