The Health & Fitness Association (HFA) announced the publication of its 2026 Employee & Compensation Benefits Report for the Commercial Health & Fitness Industry, a comprehensive benchmarking resource examining compensation, benefits, turnover, and workforce practices across US fitness facility operators.
Now in its fifth iteration, the report draws on data from 88 operators representing 1,400 facilities and provides detailed insight into pay practices, employer-provided benefits, workforce characteristics, and human capital trends across corporate, club-level, and frontline roles. Results are segmented by organizational size, region, club type, and other key variables where sufficient sample sizes allow for reliable benchmarking.
“This is a highly requested tool,” says HFA Vice President of Research Anton Severin. “The 2026 Employee & Compensation Benefits Report is the most industry-specific report of its type, making it an ideal resource for strategic decision making tied to employee salaries and benefits packages. It offers vital information for fitness leaders that need to make smart decisions to attract and retain staff.”
Key insights from the report include:
- Compensation Benchmarks Across Roles: Median and average total compensation for some 50 job titles across executive leadership, corporate professionals, club-level managers, and hourly positions.
- Benefits Prevalence and Structures: Employer offerings for health insurance, retirement plans, paid leave, and other workforce benefits, with contribution levels where available.
- Turnover and Hiring Patterns: Industry turnover rates for salaried and hourly staff, along with hiring timelines and recruiting channel effectiveness.
- Segmented Insights: Breakouts by annual sales volume, region, and facility type for segments with robust sample sizes, ensuring meaningful comparisons.
The report also includes analysis of tenure patterns, certification and educational attainment, and remote work practices among corporate teams.
“As the labor market continues to evolve and competition for talent intensifies, operators need data that reflects the realities of today’s workforce,” added Severin. “The 2026 report delivers that insight, helping fitness businesses evaluate their positioning and strengthen their talent strategy in a competitive hiring environment.”
The 2026 Employee & Compensation Benefits Reportis available now to HFA members and other companies that participated in the research. Non-members may purchase access through the association’s website.