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Head instructor job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected head instructor job growth rate is 19% from 2018-2028.
About 57,800 new jobs for head instructors are projected over the next decade.
Head instructor salaries have increased 6% for head instructors in the last 5 years.
There are over 4,302 head instructors currently employed in the United States.
There are 32,924 active head instructor job openings in the US.
The average head instructor salary is $47,768.
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 4,302 | 0.00% |
| 2020 | 4,816 | 0.00% |
| 2019 | 6,319 | 0.00% |
| 2018 | 5,988 | 0.00% |
| 2017 | 5,437 | 0.00% |
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $47,768 | $22.97 | +0.3% |
| 2024 | $47,627 | $22.90 | +1.4% |
| 2023 | $46,955 | $22.57 | +1.6% |
| 2022 | $46,235 | $22.23 | +2.8% |
| 2021 | $44,997 | $21.63 | +5.5% |
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 582 | 10% |
| 2 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 97 | 9% |
| 3 | Delaware | 961,939 | 88 | 9% |
| 4 | North Carolina | 10,273,419 | 779 | 8% |
| 5 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 658 | 8% |
| 6 | Alaska | 739,795 | 58 | 8% |
| 7 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 45 | 8% |
| 8 | Georgia | 10,429,379 | 767 | 7% |
| 9 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 499 | 7% |
| 10 | South Carolina | 5,024,369 | 361 | 7% |
| 11 | Oregon | 4,142,776 | 308 | 7% |
| 12 | Iowa | 3,145,711 | 212 | 7% |
| 13 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 93 | 7% |
| 14 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 76 | 7% |
| 15 | New Jersey | 9,005,644 | 553 | 6% |
| 16 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 343 | 6% |
| 17 | Vermont | 623,657 | 36 | 6% |
| 18 | New York | 19,849,399 | 915 | 5% |
| 19 | Connecticut | 3,588,184 | 163 | 5% |
| 20 | Maine | 1,335,907 | 63 | 5% |
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Colleyville | 1 | 4% | $55,057 |
| 2 | Allen | 1 | 1% | $54,905 |
| 3 | Lewisville | 1 | 1% | $54,976 |
| 4 | Loveland | 1 | 1% | $46,877 |
| 5 | Houston | 1 | 0% | $55,312 |
College of the Marshall Islands
Montgomery College
University of Central Missouri
Howard University

Next College Student Athlete

Kentucky Wesleyan College

Brigham Young University–Hawaii

Wright State University

Arkansas Tech University
Northern Seminary
Chadron State College

Denison University

Lafayette College

Northern Illinois University
Franklin and Marshall College
Belhaven University
CREP - Coalition for the Registration of Exercise Professionals
AGWA - American Grant Writers' Association, Inc.

Texas State University

University of Mount Union
Alexander Velasquez: My general advice to any graduate beginning their career in their field is to continue to learn and be a student of your craft. Be open to learning new things because you never know how they will improve your skills and qualifications. For example, I am currently learning video editing. I never thought I would bother to learn video editing, but it makes me a more versatile instructor being able to give students the option of doing video projects, combining and editing them, and having a digital record of what students have learned in the classroom. And given the rise of online learning, it's important nowadays to be an effective instructor both in the traditional in-person format and within the digital landscape.
Alexander Velasquez: I think that in the next three to five years the most important skills to have—and I mean this—will be critical thinking and imagination. This may sound a bit outlandish, and maybe even a bit naive, but hear me out: Artificial intelligence is making strides to the point where papers are writing themselves with simple instructions, videos are generating themselves with simple instructions, and software is beginning to write itself; and all this has been happening within the last few years. We may begin to see that in the next three to five years, once coveted programming jobs could become automated. Now, what I'm *not* saying is don't go to school for computer programming; but what I *am* saying is that the nature of work and employment *is* changing. For example, if you and and AI are making a video, and both of you have the same script, same voiceover, and so on, the only thing separating your final product from the AI's is the way you *think and imagine*, the perspective that you have as someone who can think critically about the information and lay it out in a visually appealing manner. AI can't do that—at least not yet—because it simply spits out the information it's given. But critical thought, metalevel thinking about information, is what will be one of the most important assets to have in the coming three to five years.
Alexander Velasquez: I think everyone should look into their career fields and find out what it is that makes you more valuable in that field. Are there any certifications that you can get? What is it that you need to know or learn that companies will find valuable? Much can be learned online, so pick up as many of those skills as you can, and make sure they're on your resume or CV. I believe all those things could maximize salary potential, especially when starting out.
Montgomery College
Department of Performing Arts
R. Scott Hengen: Basic skills in more than one department are helpful. The more a technician can understand other areas that may overlap, the better the chance of more opportunities. This does not exclude the importance of focusing on one technical area, but the technician who understands how that one area, or several areas, influences each other, the better the technician will understand the collaborative nature of theatre.
R. Scott Hengen: The combination of both hard and soft skills is best. They work hand-in-hand for the technician to achieve their goals. Hard skills are a great foundation, but without the soft skills needed to collaborate with others, the opportunities to use foundation and advanced skills will be limited.
University of Central Missouri
School of Teaching and Learning
Dr. Kenneth Bias: The gap year really depends on the level in which they want to use their degree. Those going into collegiate coaching would be well served to volunteer coach to gain experience. Those choosing to go into the sports and recreation side would be better severed working on their knowledge of what opportunities there are in their region of the country and enhancing their knowledge in those areas.
Dr. Jason Perry: It is unclear what the long-term effects will be on the sports business industry moving forward. A lot is unknown of how live sporting events will be impacted in the future. We may find that fans do not rush back to attend games in-person as they did prior to the coronavirus pandemic. Thus, leaving some gaps in the positions that employers are hiring for in the foreseeable future.
However, it is likely that many facets of the industry will continue to move towards making processes easier for consumers through technology even after the pandemic. As a result, graduates must be tech-savvy. Further they must be flexible and possess the ability to adapt quickly as changes occur related to the pandemic. Graduates that have obtained practical work experience that has introduced them to various job responsibilities in the field can stand out in the talent pool.
A specific job experience on a graduate's resume can be the deciding factor in receiving an interview during these challenging times. Previous experience in the desired area of employment can also help graduates to adapt more quickly to working in a new position during the pandemic.
Dr. Jason Perry: It is best that graduates have some of the traditional skills such as communication, teamwork, leadership, organizational, and time management. In addition, depending on the position in the sports business industry, the ability to handle a fast-paced work environment is important. These skills translate well in a variety of business environments and employers are looking to add those who adapt well to their organizational landscape.
Additional skills that are key at this time include analytical, critical thinking, digital, and emotional intelligence. I think that emotional intelligence should be on the top of the list of skills that young professionals should have as they transition into careers in sports and recreation. The ability to foster meaningful relationships with people in the workplace and the capacity to manage stress, conflicts, and one's emotions is needed to finding sustainability in the profession.
Dr. Jason Perry: Due to the high level of competition for jobs in the industry, sports management students cannot simply wait until the pandemic is over to gain professional experience in the field. Many sports businesses and professional organizations have altered internship positions during the pandemic and are still offering opportunities to budding professionals. A growing number of professional sports organizations have implemented virtual internships, distance-learning experiences, and other programs in lieu of the traditional internships that were available prior to the pandemic. Experience in sports analytics, sales, marketing, and digital communication are areas that stand out to employers.

Lisa Strasman: Adaptability, great communication skills, time-management, strong work ethic/grit, teamwork, resilience, humility.

Kentucky Wesleyan College
Department of Exercise Science
Julie Richardson: As the world becomes more aware of the detrimental effects of society's current lifestyle, more opportunities will arise within the health sciences. Graduates should pursue higher education within this field to gain an edge over other applicants. This will allow them to access the many job opportunities available in research labs and sports facilities.

Joel Reece Ph.D.: I teach my students that the experience that stands out most on a resume is the experience that best matches the job posting. A resume is only a selected snapshot of your experiences. Choose to display the experiences you have had with what the job posting is looking for.
Joel Reece Ph.D.: It depends on what they want to do. Look at the job postings or graduate school applications you want to apply for. Of course, there are universal skills that apply across jobs/graduate programs. For example, communication skills (e.g., writing, oral), collaboration, leadership, critical thinking, etc... However, it is also important to find opportunities to develop or observe skills in people that have the job you want. If you want to apply to a physical therapy program and you have a gap year, reconsider taking a year off to travel, and look for a job that puts you in a setting that will help you observe the in and outs of being a physical therapist. Be a sponge and soak up everything you can about the business.

Dr. Karla Huebner Ph.D.: Have no idea about technology for the future.
Dr. Karla Huebner Ph.D.: Grads in art and art history need to be very flexible in their job search, as positions in these fields for people with the BA and BFA are often hard to get and low in pay. That is not to say students should not pursue these fields. Still, they should be open and creative in job searching--be available to positions that seem less in the field or contingent to it, in areas like library science, graphic design, arts journalism, etc. Graduate degrees can improve job prospects, but the same caveats apply.
Dr. Karla Huebner Ph.D.: Salaries are generally low, but now and then, artists and art historians can make good incomes--don't expect to.

Sam Strasner: The New York Times reported, early in the pandemic, that 36,000 journalism jobs had been lost in the United States. Poynter observed that later in summer 2020, that figure does not account for freelancers and others who count on their journalism skills supplement their regular income. The rate at which those jobs return and the quality of the opportunities will most likely reflect the pandemic's overall economic recovery. A more robust economy will allow for more advertising expenditures by companies and more subscriptions by consumers. Through it all, the quality will remain paramount. Those who can tell compelling and accurate stories that resonate with an audience will gain access to the best career options.
Sam Strasner: It will be fascinating to see if the pandemic convention of Zoom-style interviews becoming permissible for broadcast television and internet news websites will carry over in a post-pandemic world. If it does, distance technology interviews will open up a cost-efficient way to access a much greater variety of sources, stories, and content. I hope that is the case.
Sam Strasner: I think it depends upon how one defines the field. The data says we are in the middle of a 10-year period that will see a 10.1 percent decline in journalism jobs. I noticed that trend early in my career and pivoted to public relations. Our society needs journalists. It is essential that we have people who are willing to, and have the skills necessary to, do real reporting. I believe there will always be a need for that. The question is how prevalent that need will be. As a result, my recommendation to someone pursuing a journalism degree today would be to focus their electives in some combination of digital marketing, public relations, or another closely related field based on communication. That subtle diversification in skills could be the key to a new graduate getting that first job and beginning a career journey toward whatever their ultimate dream might be.
Rev. Tracey Bianchi: In pastoral ministry, the pandemic has forced many religious institutions and organizations to deliver worship and other elements of spiritual practice online. How faith-based communities do everything from weddings to funerals to worship services has shifted online. While churches and other religious gatherings must continue to employ pastors and still need ordained leaders, the job market has shifted to favor those who also have skills in producing and creating rich online content. Churches with resources are now pivoting to hire content managers and production teams who can help shape and craft meaningful online content that is easy to deliver.
Rev. Tracey Bianchi: It is likely that once the pandemic ends, doing church at home will remain an option for millions of people of faith. As the epidemic goes on, families and communities have become comfortable with the flexible, on-demand church option. It may be hard to get many of them back into the pews once it is safe to return to worship. The technology to support this reality will be necessary for the foreseeable future. Career options in production, streaming, and recording will be more prevalent in religious organizations than in the past.
Dr. Brittany Helmbrecht: The most significant trend I have noticed is a move to online and outdoor workouts. Many trainers are offering recorded or live activity classes delivered online. Others are hosting group fitness classes outdoors, where social distancing is possible. The ability to market oneself as a fitness professional will be a necessary skill as these trends continue.

Denison University
Department of Health, Exercise, and Sport Studies
Dr. Eric Winters Ph.D.: I look for young professionals who can examine and identify current, unfulfilled needs within the community, and effectively design programs that draw upon technology's strengths to augment professional practice. The influence of a knowledgeable, caring practitioner will remain central to the profession of Kinesiology, but the needs we address and how we intervene have changed. The young professionals who seek unique settings and opportunities to engage in practice with creativity will always be valued colleagues.
Karina Skvirsky: Don't worry if you don't yet know what you want to be when "you grow up." Allow yourself to try different jobs to figure it out.
Karina Skvirsky: That's hard to predict! I believe Facebook will become dated, and no one under 30 will be using it in the future.
Karina Skvirsky: Art careers are not known to pay well, but they produce enough and can be very satisfying for the mind and the soul.

Northern Illinois University
World Languages and Cultures
Linda Saborío: For foreign language majors, study abroad experiences stand out on a resume because they demonstrate an in-depth cultural immersion from living and learning how to thrive in an environment unlike your own. Many employers will view a study abroad experience as a moment of personal growth and independence, especially among younger candidates. Also, any volunteer work with non-profit organizations in other countries will stand out on a resume.
Linda Saborío: With second language acquisition, it is of utmost importance to continue practicing that language. This means that students needing to take a gap year should consider finding ways to immerse themselves in experiences where they will be using the target language. Many students opt for volunteer work with international NGOs and non-profit organizations. Before agreeing to work for any aid organization, however, you do need to research the organization's quality and standards, their expectations of you and vice versa, and what, if any, will be your out-of-pocket expenses.
Linda Saborío: The recent switch in classroom modality from a traditional classroom to virtual learning has led to innovative technology uses in the foreign language classroom. Technology tools provide students with opportunities to connect to foreign lands, where they can be introduced to a different perspective and experience a distinct way of life. There are many innovative and interactive tools available, including Quizlet, Flipgrid, and Audacity; music videos, blogs, and even video chats with partners in another country are all excellent tools for second language acquisition.
In terms of translation technology, one cannot ignore the rapid changes in accuracy. The current technology, neural machine translation, reaches near human-level performance for direct translation. However, language localization, the process of translating images, idiomatic expressions, and a product's overall adaptability from one country to another, requires cultural understanding beyond current technological capabilities.
David McMahan Ph.D.: Keep open to possibilities beyond the narrow range of what your diploma lists as your major or minor. Whatever job you get trained for today, in 10-20 years, it may be very different. Or it may not exist. Focus on obtaining and maintaining flexibility, critical thinking, creativity, and passion for learning. Being an interesting person is as vital as any credential.
David McMahan Ph.D.: Technology is moving so fast that it is unpredictable. One of the most important skills you can have is working with a several thousand years old technology: writing. If you're a good writer, it opens up possibilities that aren't there for those who can't write.
David McMahan Ph.D.: Graduates in Religious Studies don't necessarily go into careers in religion. The standard career path for those involved is going to graduate school, spending several years getting a Ph.D., and facing a tough job market. Starting salaries can vary widely depending on the college or university.
Belhaven University
Department of Sports Medicine and Exercise Science Faculty
Dr. Benjamin Carr Ph.D.: Very few of our Sports Medicine & Exercise Science graduates enter the workforce once completing their Bachelor of Science. The vast majority (80-90%) of my students will go to graduate/professional school for physical therapy, occupational therapy, athletic training, chiropractic, exercise physiology, or physician assistant.
Dr. Benjamin Carr Ph.D.: Technology is a vital part of all the occupations in sports medicine/exercise science, with most of the rehabilitative sciences' careers. Therapeutic modalities, such as ultrasound, electrical stimulation, cryotherapy, and infrared, are commonly employed in physical therapy, athletic training, and chiropractic. Since I don't work directly in those fields, I'm not a useful resource regarding the specifics of technology/equipment. From an educational standpoint, technology will be vital for moving more coursework to a virtual format shortly. Things like virtual cadavers and other physiological laboratory experiences will play a critical educational role over the next few years. Due to Covid-19, we've already moved a number of our courses to a strictly virtual format. Video conferencing technology, such as Zoom, has made this relatively easy. With Zoom's screen sharing and whiteboard capabilities, lecturing virtually has become a legitimate alternative to in-person courses.
CREP - Coalition for the Registration of Exercise Professionals
Brian Biagioli: Covid has had a diverse impact on the fitness industry; in the positive sense, it has restored work-life balance for some, forced others contemplating entrepreneurial pursuits to leap successfully, and made facilities realize the importance of engagement relationships in maintaining a clientele. Additionally, depending on the political theatre following the election and signs pointing to a potential Covid-rebound, many more exercise professionals will likely embrace the different opportunities to train online, write and manage individual programs, and even establish home-based businesses the industry pivots further away from a club-based, face-to-face interaction. As for the different sized boxes, the overhead the facility carries and where it's located will determine the level and effects of ongoing business stress. That said, 2021, as a whole, will bring a new demand for exercise professionals to replace those who have left the clubs and the industry altogether.
Brian Biagioli: Regardless of the type of job a professional pursues in the fitness or sports industry, employers cite three critical areas of deficiency among new graduates: (1) business acumen and communication skills; (2) proficiency in human engagement; and (3) a lack of organizational efficiencies, related to task completion. Many graduates have a skill set associated with the technical competencies of being in the fitness or sports industry; these are often tested successfully on certification exams, but they lack business and corporate/organizational insight. These skills require positive internship experiences and mentoring and should be a capstone of any educational process.
John Porter Ph.D.: Grant writing is a very consistent business. It does not matter if the market is up or down or which party is in office. If the economy is down and money is tight, business tends to turn towards grant funding to supplement revenue. If the economy is strong, the company has a little extra cash and is willing to explore grant funding.
When unemployment rises and it isn't easy to find employment, more people will start their own business. If that business is a non-profit, it could receive grant funding for their programs and activities.
Grant writing is an excellent full-time, and part-time opportunity. Many, mostly non-profit organizations, seek Certified Grant Writers to help compensate for the lack of revenue, which has occurred from the recent economic shutdown. Independent Grant Consultants have a lot of control over the number and type of clients they work with, from a few each month to as many as there is time to do.
Certified Grant Writers are in high demand to compensate for issues like the recovery from the economic shutdown, rising taxes, and other financial strains,
John Porter Ph.D.: This will depend on what happens in the next six months or so. If the economy stays open and business can operate as it did a year ago, the trend will be more positive. When the economy is working, people are more financially secure. They have money to donate to foundations, and corporations have more profits to put into their funding resources.
If the economic shutdown increases where both businesses and individuals earn less money, there will be less money available for grant funding. The majority of grant funding comes from donations by everyday individuals.
If the economic shutdown is prolonged, then there will be an increase in government grant programs. The government gets its financial resources for things like grants by taxation. So individual taxes will likely increase.
Another line to balance is the excessive taxation of the rich. Nearly all very wealthy people have established a foundation where they give some of their wealth to grant awards to community non-profit organizations. When the government increases the taxes on this group, the excess money goes to the government to spend rather than local non-profits.
John Porter Ph.D.: There is not a lot of technology required in grant writing. The most critical and prevalent skill in grant writing, which is lacking, is appropriately writing. Over the past decade, there has been an increase in abbreviation and slang. When put into a standard text, these expressions can become confusing.
The technology is that younger, individual writers may like to stay up on the most recent software and communication methods. Whereas funders, private, corporate, and government, tend not to keep up as fast and have older software versions. This means that the newest and glitziest software may not be compatible with the funder's software when submitting grant proposals and applications.

Dr. Rodney Rohde Ph.D.: I like to tell everyone that the Medical Laboratory degree (at any level, Associates, Bachelors, Masters, and now Doctoral, DCLS) is like majoring in four areas. One of the most rigorous degrees one can obtain, and the professional career is no different because we are continually learning, based on the real-time, best medical evidence of laboratory medicine.
Here are some broad strokes for what new graduates will need in the coming years - 1. Communication skills; 2. Problem-solving and troubleshooting; 3. Use their math and science skills, especially the core foundations of medical laboratory science - hematology, immunohematology (blood bank), clinical chemistry, and microbiology; 4. Professionalism (manage yourself, others, time, and things); 5. Self-starter with the ability to work alone and in groups across healthcare and with the public; 6. Empathy and sympathy for colleagues as well as the patients we serve.
Dr. Rodney Rohde Ph.D.: There are large vacancy rates all over the country. This is a good news/bad news issue. However, with a degree in medical laboratory science (also known as a clinical laboratory science) AND certification, one can find employment anywhere in the U.S. One of the great things about this career is that graduates honestly can decide where they "fit best" with regard to geography and employer (urban, rural, large, or small).
Dr. Rodney Rohde Ph.D.: Technology in laboratory automation and laboratory information systems (LIS) will continue to explode in the future. We've seen this over the past decade or two, and there is no reason to believe that technology, especially in the area of molecular diagnostics, will not continue to increase.

University of Mount Union
Music Department
Dr. Jerome Miksell: The short answer is an experience that is similar to the desired job and place. This is undoubtedly true of very specialized university jobs.
In the performance world, a resume for entry-level jobs is a secondary matter. Your playing ability matters first and foremost. For example, most symphony orchestra auditions are blind, and resumes are not looked at until the final round.
For someone interested in music, sales experience with the products is critical.
Dr. Jerome Miksell: An aspiring performer should be practicing and looking for performance opportunities. I would also recommend travel that might enhance understanding of a particular style of music.
Those interested in business opportunities could consider finding a part-time job in a music store.
Dr. Jerome Miksell: Anything that makes live sound reinforcement and home studio recording better and more affordable will always have a future. I also think the digitization of sheet music could enjoy great success if someone released a cheap tablet.