Sports & FitnessUpdated Q1 2026

Fitness Director Salary
in Irvine, CA

Manage fitness facility operations, programs, and staff. Median salary in Irvine: $120K/year. Data from BLS, O*NET, and H-1B disclosures.

Median salary
$120K
per year
Take-home: $73K

Salary range in Irvine

Entry level (25th)$89,000
Median (50th)$120,000
Senior (75th)$163,000
Top earner (90th)$220,000
Data freshness

Figures represent annual base salary in Irvine, California. Reviewed by SalaryOptics Editorial Β· How we calculate this β†’

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What the numbers say for Irvine

Analysis derived from the salary, COL, tax, and labor-market figures above β€” specific to this role and city.

71% premium vs national median

Fitness Directors in Irvine earn approximately 71% higher than the US national median for this role β€” a $50,000 premium on annual base salary. This reflects Irvine's position as a higher-cost labor market where employers must match local wage norms.

9.3% state tax = $11,160/yr

California's 9.3% state income tax reduces take-home by roughly $11,160 per year at the median salary. A Fitness Director relocating to a no-tax state like Texas, Florida, or Tennessee would retain that amount without changing gross pay.

Strong 6.5% annual wage growth

This role's national salaries are growing at 6.5% year-over-year, well above the BLS all-occupations average of ~3.5%. If that pace holds, the Irvine median reaches $164,410 in five years.

Key facts for Irvine

Median salary
$120K
annual
Take-home pay
$73K
after fed/state tax
COL index
172
100 = US avg
State income tax
9.3%
effective rate
Avg 1BR rent
$2,800
per month
YoY growth
+6.5%
salary trend

Salary forecast: Irvine Fitness Director to 2030

Based on BLS 2022–2032 Employment Projections and WEF Future of Jobs Report 2026. At current growth rates, median salary reaches $120K by 2030.

Salary trend & forecast β€” Irvine

Historical (2019–2025) + projected to 2030 based on BLS growth rates

HistoricalProjected
Fitness Director salary trend 2019–2030PROJECTED β†’$100K$109K$118K$127K$136K201920212023202520272029
2026
$123K
projected
2027
$126K
projected
2028
$129K
projected
2029
$132K
projected
2030
$136K
projected

Projections based on BLS Employment Projections 2022–2032 CAGR and WEF Jobs Report 2025. Not financial advice.

YearProjected median salaryvs today
2027 projected$120,000+$0
2028 projected$120,000+$0
2029 projected$120,000+$0
2030 projected$120,000+$0

Projections use compound annual growth rate (CAGR) from BLS occupational outlook data. Actual salaries may vary.

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Fitness Director Salary in Irvine, California: Complete Guide (2026)

The median Fitness Director salary in Irvine, CA is $120,000 per year as of Q1 2026. This figure represents the midpoint of all reported compensation for this role in the Irvine–CA metropolitan area, based on data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment Statistics, H-1B visa disclosures from the Department of Labor, and O*NET occupational data.

Salary range for Fitness Director in Irvine

Entry-level Fitness Directors in Irvine with 0–2 years of experience typically earn between $89,000 and $120,000 annually. Mid-career professionals with 3–7 years command $120,000 to $163,000, while senior-level practitioners with 8+ years of experience regularly earn $163,000 to $220,000 or more.

Cost of living in Irvine for Fitness Directors

Irvine has a cost of living index of 172 compared to the US national average of 100. Irvine's cost of living is above the US average, so the salary figures above reflect local market rates. California has a 9.3% state income tax rate.

Education requirements for Fitness Director

Bachelor's in Exercise Science; ACE/ACSM certification; management experience. 15% of these roles offer some remote flexibility.

Fitness Director salary in nearby cities

CityMedian salaryCOL index
Irvine (current)$120K172
Los Angeles$91K163
San Diego$88K148
San Jose$102K210
San Francisco$105K224
Fresno$67K102