Research Summary. Using a combination of public government and company data as well as data gathered from thousands of job postings, the Zippia data team has created average salary estimates for jobs across the US. Using that data set, the team has identified the types of coaches that are the highest paid based on their average annual salaries.
Here is a summary of our findings for the highest-paying types of coaches:
-
Strength And Conditioning Coach is the highest-paid type of coach with an average salary of $49,382 and an average hourly rate of $23.74.
-
The second highest-paying type of coach is assistant track and field coach, with an average salary of $45,352.
-
The average coach salary is $42,716 per year, and the average hourly pay is $20.54.
Table Of Contents: Background | Table | Methodology | FAQs
Background
Choosing a career path can be difficult, and while pay shouldn’t be the only thing you consider in your decision, it is a significant factor. So if you’d like to work as a coach, it helps to have an idea of what the highest-paid types of coaches are so that you can plan your career progression.
Here are the top salaries for different types of coaches:
-
Strength And Conditioning Coach
Average Salary: $49,382
A Strength And Conditioning Coach designs, implements, and supervises the strength and conditioning programs for multiple sports programs. They generally work with athletes.
-
Assistant Track And Field Coach
Average Salary: $45,352
Assistant track and field coaches are sports professionals who are responsible for supervising and instructing athletes involved in the areas of sprints, relays, or jumps. These coaches are required to recruit high caliber student-athletes and create a competitive and positive learning environment for them. They must assist track athletes with their events to prepare them for their upcoming track meets. Assistant track and field coaches must also complete training in first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) for adults and infants.
-
Assistant Football Coach
Average Salary: $45,329
-
Volunteer Coach
Average Salary: $45,232
-
Basketball Coach
Average Salary: $44,858
A basketball coach is responsible for training players for school or basketball tournament leagues. A basketball coach prepares the players by providing them game techniques, developing their maximum potential through a series of practice and games. Basketball coaches identify each player’s strengths and weaknesses, creating unique strategies during the mentorship. They must be highly knowledgeable of basketball’s disciplines and rules, guiding them to improve their stance and movement. A basketball coach must have excellent communication and organizational skills, especially in handling the team’s performance.
Below is a full table of the average pay for various coach that pay the most followed by a more detailed explanation of our methodology.
Highest-Paying Types Of Coaches
| Rank | Job Title | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Strength And Conditioning Coach | |
| 2 | Assistant Track And Field Coach | |
| 3 | Assistant Football Coach | |
| 4 | Volunteer Coach | |
| 5 | Basketball Coach | |
| 6 | Baseball Coach | |
| 7 | Assistant Softball Coach | |
| 8 | Assistant Baseball Coach | |
| 9 | Head Baseball Coach | |
| 10 | Assistant Basketball Coach | |
| 11 | Head Coach | |
| 12 | Softball Coach | |
| 13 | Assistant Soccer Coach | |
| 14 | Assistant Coach | |
| 15 | Soccer Coach | |
| 16 | Tennis Coach | |
| 17 | Lacrosse Coach | |
| 18 | Youth Soccer Coach | |
| 19 | Cheerleading Coach | |
| 20 | Trampoline Team Coach |
Methodology
Zippia uses publicly published information from government sources such as the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Foreign Labor Certification Data Center (FLC), and the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to create its salary estimates.
Our data science team also checks job postings and company-published resources for additional up-to-date salary information for coaches.
Once they’ve gathered the data, the team calculates a weighted average for each job title they’re estimating a salary for. For more details on our salary estimates, you can read the detailed methodology.
Highest-Paying Types Of Coach Jobs FAQs
-
What is the highest-paid coach job?
The highest-paid coach job is a strength and conditioning coach. Strength And Conditioning Coaches earn an average salary of $49,382, which is $ 23.74 hourly.
A Strength And Conditioning Coach designs, implements, and supervises the strength and conditioning programs for multiple sports programs. They generally work with athletes.
-
What is a good salary for a coach?
A good salary for a coach is $42,716 or more. The average coach salary is $42,716, so those making at least $42,716 are earning above-average paychecks.
Keep in mind, however, that the average coach salary does fluctuate based on location, as companies will adjust their pay scales based on the cost of living in that area. Research what the average salary is in your area for someone of your expertise and experience level to get a more accurate view on how well you’re being paid.
In addition, if you’re just starting your career as a coach, the average entry level salary is $0, so don’t base your opinion of your salary on the $42,716 average, as this includes all coaches of all skill and experience levels.
-
Do Coach jobs pay well?
No, coach jobs don’t pay well. As in any industry, some coach jobs pay better than others, but the average coach salary of $42,716 is times the average national salary of about $44,225 per year.
In addition to this, many coach jobs have high earning potential, with the top 10% of coaches earning $0 a year on average.
Coaches’ salaries will fluctuate based on their experience level, industry, and location, so pay attention to these factors when you’re looking for a job as a coach. Do your research on the going rate for a coach in your area with your expertise, and don’t be afraid to negotiate your salary based on that information.
-
Where do coaches get paid the most?
Coaches get paid the most in Hawaii. In Hawaii, coaches earn an average annual salary of $72,032 and an average hourly wage of $34.63.
Following HI, the states with the highest-paid coaches are Louisiana, New Jersey, and District of Columbia, with average annual salaries of $53,397, $59,695, and $54,244 respectively.
The cities with the highest-paid coach salaries are:
-
Piscataway, NJ – $59,635
-
Washington, DC – $54,233
-
El Paso, TX – $51,851
-
Author
Chris Kolmar is a co-founder of Zippia and the editor-in-chief of the Zippia career advice blog. He has hired over 50 people in his career, been hired five times, and wants to help you land your next job. His research has been featured on the New York Times, Thrillist, VOX, The Atlantic, and a host of local news. More recently, he's been quoted on USA Today, BusinessInsider, and CNBC.
