Post job

Coach/instructor vs head coach

The differences between coach/instructors and head coaches can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 4-6 years to become both a coach/instructor and a head coach. Additionally, a coach/instructor has an average salary of $52,182, which is higher than the $44,062 average annual salary of a head coach.

The top three skills for a coach/instructor include classroom management, math and instructional support. The most important skills for a head coach are CPR, NCAA, and athletic program.

Coach/instructor vs head coach overview

Coach/InstructorHead Coach
Yearly salary$52,182$44,062
Hourly rate$25.09$21.18
Growth rate20%20%
Number of jobs40,98622,027
Job satisfaction-3
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 58%Bachelor's Degree, 73%
Average age3636
Years of experience66

What does a coach/instructor do?

A Coach/Instructor teaches athletes the correct way to play a sport. They offer professional development and improvement guidance to high school students, college students, and other individuals.

What does a head coach do?

A head coach is responsible for managing teams, monitoring each player's performance, conditioning the team's skills by conducting training sessions, and encouraging the trainees to reach their full potential. Head coaches assess the team's coordination during training or a game, adjusting strategies and improving techniques as needed. A head coach evaluates the team's strengths and weaknesses while educating them on the proper sports ethic. A head coach must have strong leadership and organizational skills to develop plans and reach set goals.

Coach/instructor vs head coach salary

Coach/instructors and head coaches have different pay scales, as shown below.

Coach/InstructorHead Coach
Average salary$52,182$44,062
Salary rangeBetween $37,000 And $72,000Between $30,000 And $63,000
Highest paying CitySunnyvale, CANew York, NY
Highest paying stateHawaiiNew York
Best paying companySaint Xavier UniversityKern Community College District
Best paying industryGovernmentEducation

Differences between coach/instructor and head coach education

There are a few differences between a coach/instructor and a head coach in terms of educational background:

Coach/InstructorHead Coach
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 58%Bachelor's Degree, 73%
Most common majorElementary EducationKinesiology
Most common collegeNorthwestern UniversityNorthwestern University

Coach/instructor vs head coach demographics

Here are the differences between coach/instructors' and head coaches' demographics:

Coach/InstructorHead Coach
Average age3636
Gender ratioMale, 41.8% Female, 58.2%Male, 66.3% Female, 33.7%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 8.9% Unknown, 5.7% Hispanic or Latino, 13.3% Asian, 5.4% White, 66.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%Black or African American, 9.0% Unknown, 5.8% Hispanic or Latino, 13.4% Asian, 5.5% White, 66.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%
LGBT Percentage8%8%

Differences between coach/instructor and head coach duties and responsibilities

Coach/instructor example responsibilities.

  • Manage and schedule local and national soccer competitions.
  • Present information of math program through PowerPoint presentation to parents and community.
  • Teach students in GED program.
  • Serve on district wide PBIS team.
  • Monitor data on ESE, ESL populations.
  • Assist in IEP development and transition plan development.
  • Show more

Head coach example responsibilities.

  • Coach and lead a group of 50 kids between 10 and 12 years old.
  • Manage JV squad during practice and games, preparing them to move to the varsity level.
  • Lead a professional hockey player camp during the summer consisting of NHL, AHL, NCAA hockey players.
  • Teach young student-athletes to relentlessly pursue their goals and achieve academic success while establishing an exemplary foundation of leadership.
  • Serve in a primary leadership role to manage training academy program logistics and to coordinate team participation in national tournaments.
  • Certify in CPR to ensure the safety of athletes.
  • Show more

Coach/instructor vs head coach skills

Common coach/instructor skills
  • Classroom Management, 8%
  • Math, 6%
  • Instructional Support, 6%
  • Student Learning, 6%
  • Professional Growth, 6%
  • Curriculum Development, 6%
Common head coach skills
  • CPR, 31%
  • NCAA, 7%
  • Athletic Program, 5%
  • Player Development, 4%
  • Softball, 4%
  • Leadership, 4%

Browse arts, entertainment, sports, and media jobs