How much does a coach make?
a year · about $23 an hour
A typical coach in the United States makes $47,320 a year, about $23 an hour, about the same as a typical US worker (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).
What do they do?
A coach plans drills, demonstrates skills, and corrects players at practice, then studies opponents and sets a game plan. In games, they call plays and substitute players; scouts watch events or video, assess athletes, and write reports.
Did you know? Scouts do more than watch games live: they also study game videos and athlete data before recommending players.
Is that a lot?
Compared with jobs you knowIf 100 people had this job
Most earn between $28,790 and $98,860How do you become one?
Many U.S. coaches earn a bachelor’s in kinesiology, physical education, or sports management; playing experience helps, while youth jobs may need less school. High-school rules vary; certificates often require age 18+, CPR/first aid, and safety courses.
School needed: Usually a bachelor's degree
Good for people who like helping and teaching and leading and selling
Why does pay differ?
Pay can differ with experience and a winning record, required safety or coaching certificates, and the employer (a school, college, or pro team). In the U.S., location, the sport or role, and hours also matter: seasonal or part-time work differs from full-time work.
Where does it pay most?
Highest in New Jersey ($76,700), lowest in Kentucky ($35,570).
See every state
Top 5 and bottom 3 states, typical (median) yearly pay.
Jobs like this
Data table and sources
| Lower earner (10th from bottom) | Typical person (median) | Higher earner (10th from top) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|---|
| $28,790 | $47,320 | $98,860 | about 249,000 |
| State | Typical person (median) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey | $76,700 | about 6,000 |
| District of Columbia | $65,360 | about 630 |
| Louisiana | $60,960 | about 3,000 |
| Vermont | $59,990 | about 630 |
| New York | $59,920 | about 11,000 |
Official definition: Instruct or coach groups or individuals in the fundamentals of sports for the primary purpose of competition. Demonstrate techniques and methods of participation. May evaluate athletes’ strengths and weaknesses as possible recruits or to improve the athletes’ technique to prepare them for competition. Those required to hold teaching certifications should be reported in the appropriate teaching category. Excludes “Athletic Trainers” (29-9091).
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025 (bls.gov); descriptions and related jobs from O*NET 31.0. Figures as of May 2025, full-time yearly pay (hourly × 2,080 hours). bls.gov/oes · O*NET OnLine
Pages used for the text
- www.bls.gov/ooh/entertainment-and-sports/print/coaches-and-scouts.htm
- www.onetonline.org/link/summary/27-2022.00
- nfhs.org/stories/nfhs-unveils-new-national-coaching-credentials
- www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2015/article/wage-differences.htm
Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025 · 1 USD = 150 JPY