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Job outlook for health coaches in the United States
Health coach job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected health coach job growth rate is 12% from 2018-2028.
About 15,200 new jobs for health coaches are projected over the next decade.
Health coach salaries have increased 6% for health coaches in the last 5 years.
There are over 23,121 health coaches currently employed in the United States.
There are 63,129 active health coach job openings in the US.
The average health coach salary is $38,671.
Are health coach jobs in demand?
Health coach job and salary trends over time
Health coach jobs over time
Health coach job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 23,121 | 0.01% |
| 2020 | 21,723 | 0.01% |
| 2019 | 22,102 | 0.01% |
| 2018 | 21,162 | 0.01% |
| 2017 | 19,719 | 0.01% |
Average health coach salary over time
Health coach salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $38,671 | $18.59 | +2.3% |
| 2025 | $37,795 | $18.17 | +1.8% |
| 2024 | $37,111 | $17.84 | +0.5% |
| 2023 | $36,919 | $17.75 | +1.6% |
| 2022 | $36,324 | $17.46 | +2.1% |
Health coach jobs by state
Most common states for health coaches
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 186 | 27% |
| 2 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 1,060 | 19% |
| 3 | Vermont | 623,657 | 115 | 18% |
| 4 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 97 | 17% |
| 5 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 1,104 | 16% |
| 6 | Indiana | 6,666,818 | 1,047 | 16% |
| 7 | Iowa | 3,145,711 | 499 | 16% |
| 8 | Kansas | 2,913,123 | 401 | 14% |
| 9 | Idaho | 1,716,943 | 232 | 14% |
| 10 | Michigan | 9,962,311 | 1,271 | 13% |
| 11 | Arizona | 7,016,270 | 914 | 13% |
| 12 | Missouri | 6,113,532 | 779 | 13% |
| 13 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 101 | 13% |
| 14 | Ohio | 11,658,609 | 1,404 | 12% |
| 15 | North Carolina | 10,273,419 | 1,266 | 12% |
| 16 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 161 | 12% |
| 17 | Delaware | 961,939 | 116 | 12% |
| 18 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 918 | 11% |
| 19 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 691 | 11% |
| 20 | Wisconsin | 5,795,483 | 649 | 11% |
Most common cities for health coaches
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Annapolis | 1 | 3% | $45,881 |
| 2 | Brighton | 1 | 3% | $39,308 |
| 3 | Dover | 1 | 3% | $37,479 |
| 4 | Castle Rock | 1 | 2% | $39,170 |
| 5 | Cedar Falls | 1 | 2% | $37,603 |
| 6 | Coeur dAlene | 1 | 2% | $42,507 |
| 7 | Arvada | 1 | 1% | $39,292 |
| 8 | Boca Raton | 1 | 1% | $29,337 |
| 9 | Cedar Rapids | 1 | 1% | $37,345 |
| 10 | Flagstaff | 1 | 1% | $34,574 |
| 11 | Fort Collins | 1 | 1% | $39,533 |
| 12 | Boston | 2 | 0% | $38,065 |
| 13 | Denver | 2 | 0% | $39,259 |
| 14 | Atlanta | 1 | 0% | $36,923 |
| 15 | Baton Rouge | 1 | 0% | $41,103 |
| 16 | Colorado Springs | 1 | 0% | $39,071 |
| 17 | Des Moines | 1 | 0% | $37,174 |
Health Coach job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of health coach experts
Michigan Technological University
University of Akron
University of South Florida
University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee
University of Nevada - Las Vegas
Wake Forest University
Springfield College
University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire
Clemson University
University of Nebraska at Omaha
University of Bridgeport
University of Florida Health
University of Illinois at Chicago
University of Texas at San Antonio
Utica College
California University of Management and Sciences (CALUMS)
Augusta University
YMCA of Greater Fort Wayne
University of Mary Washington
What general advice would you give to a Health Coach?
Tayler Haapapuro MS: Preventative health measures, educating people on the importance of movement, interpersonal skills and the ability to explain to clients and patients their health. Having a deep understanding of anatomy, physiology, & biomechanics and how it relates to daily health.
What Health Coach skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Tayler Haapapuro MS: Continuing education, conferences, and certifications. Making sure you are apart of an organization with continuing education (AKA, ACSM, CSCS etc). Staying on top of the ever evolving world of health can give you an edge in many areas of treatment.
What will help Health Coaches increase their earning potential?
Tayler Haapapuro MS: Take advantage of the connections you've made during your undergraduate degree. Professionals that you've met shadowing, interning, at conferences can all help you and guide you. Don't be afraid to continue your education through certifications and conferences. There is always more to learn and it can make you even more marketable, and will help you expand your connections.
What general advice would you give to a Health Coach?
Melissa Smith MS, CHES, NBC-HWC: For new graduates, I would say they now have a solid foundation of knowledge, skills and abilities in the field, but that their learning experiences have just begun! My advice is that they count every experience on the job – good, bad, or ugly – as a learning opportunity to grow their professionalism and expertise. It takes about a year to learn any new job, so give yourselves time and grace along the way. Every experience has the opportunity to make you into a better professional and person.
What Health Coach skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Melissa Smith MS, CHES, NBC-HWC: Health and wellness coaching skills continue to gain incredible momentum in the health care industry and many other professional fields. Treat every patient/client relationship as a partnership: you are the expert in your field and they are the expert on their life. Behavior change that stems from strength-base approaches that allow the client/patient to take ownership of their plan increases long-term compliance tremendously. Additionally, insurance billing skills may become more important and prevalent in the field as (hopefully) efforts to expand current procedural terminology” or “CPT” codes for Qualified Exercise Professionals (QEPs) are successful.
What will help Health Coaches increase their earning potential?
Melissa Smith MS, CHES, NBC-HWC: There is a two-pronged approach I recommend to maximizing salary potential as a new graduate: 1) expand your professional network and 2) pursue additional certifications in areas of interest. Ways to expand your professional network are to leverage your LinkedIn account to connect to professionals you meet at work and at professional conferences. Volunteer to serve on committees to organize community events related to your work, such as fundraising events put on by the American Heart Association (e.g., Heartwalk) or American Cancer Society (e.g., Relay for Life), or a local health fair. As you discover your strengths in the workplace, pursue additional certifications to enhance your qualifications.
What general advice would you give to a Health Coach?
Maureen Chiodini-Rinaldo: God gave you two ears and one mouth. Listen twice as much as you talk. Remain open-minded and stay in touch with your mentors. We should always be learning. Find your path and your niche by doing what makes you happy. Don't chase the money. If you are happy and doing what you love and are passionate about, the money will come.
What Health Coach skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Maureen Chiodini-Rinaldo: Technology is paramount but must also be matched with interpersonal communication skills. There will always be people who want and need personal interaction to achieve their success. Work hard to hone your 'coaching' skills so that you can assist people in achieving their success. Remember, people are created whole and complete with the ability to solve their problems. Often, we lose our innate ability due to experiences. Help people resurrect that innate ability to be healthy. Remember, it is their story, not yours. Additionally, we must be more proactive in using data and analytics. We wear watches that capture so much information, but do we even know whether they are accurate and what to do with the data? Artificial intelligence is coming on strong. How can we use it to enhance people's health? How can we use it to help our businesses?
What will help Health Coaches increase their earning potential?
Maureen Chiodini-Rinaldo: Success in life is about connections. Who knows you (Not who you know!), and how do they know you? Jobs will come to you once you create and live your passion. People will see you and offer you work. Guide your career based on your values. Your rewards will reflect your values. Owning your own business allows you to be your boss but has many pitfalls and risks. If you think you want to own your own business, interview a few people who have been successful and ask them how they did it. Also, work with and for them to learn about operations and culture. Can you do that lifestyle? Research current salaries in your area, and then talk to people doing what you think you want to do. Ask them about the range of wages you should expect. Does that work for you? Be prepared to negotiate your salary. Know what you should get paid before you start the negotiation meeting. I love working with students on budgets. We start with personal budgets and work to budgeting for the operations of their own business. It can be a remarkable learning process especially once they realize that if they can save $100/month every month for 30 years, they will have close to $100,000. Start small and grow big!
Dr. Wendy Huddleston
Doctor of Physical Therapy Program Director, Associate ProfessorUniversity of Wisconsin - Milwaukee
Communication Disorders Sciences And Services
What general advice would you give to a Health Coach?
Dr. Wendy Huddleston: Interprofessional teamwork, cultural humility, flexibility, and innovation will be the keys to a successful future in health and wellness. Healthcare in the US is going to change significantly in the next decade. Methods of delivery, including more telehealth/telecommunications, and the use of AI in clinical practice are some examples.
What Health Coach skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Wendy Huddleston: Be able to identify what differentiates you from other new graduates. Examples might include being able to speak a second language, being mobile, having flexibility in work hours and/or work locations, or having leadership experience of any kind. You'll want to add skills to your resume, not just experience.
What will help Health Coaches increase their earning potential?
Dr. Wendy Huddleston: Treat clients and patients as individuals with unique lived experiences. They can teach you as much or more than what you learned in a classroom. Seek out and volunteer for new experiences. Do not be afraid to ask questions. Recognize the experience of others but know that you bring the value of new knowledge and a fresh perspective.
Van Whaley DC, EdD
Assistant Professor-in-ResidenceUniversity of Nevada - Las Vegas
Nutrition Sciences
What Health Coach skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Van Whaley DC, EdD: Anatomy & Physiology (A&P) is a vital part of so many healthcare and human-performance fields. Understanding how our bodies work creates better therapists, nurses, doctors, experts, trainers, and more understanding people. We all have friends and family members who face health issues - diabetes, high BP, high cholesterol, autoimmune conditions, hormone/chemical imbalances, arthritis, etc. Learning A&P helps us to help others, including being a health advocate for loved ones.
What general advice would you give to a Health Coach?
Van Whaley DC, EdD: Specificity in training or certifications definitely can increase someone's salary potential. Also, there is a wide variety of jobs (and pay rates) within most fields. Someone in private practice may make two times more than someone with the same credentials working at a non-profit. However, those two would have very different experiences and demands in their work demands.
What will help Health Coaches increase their earning potential?
Van Whaley DC, EdD: Integration, cooperation, and critical thinking. Today's top healthcare includes virtual doctor visits, multiple places doing tests, and a centralized location that organizes this data to best help the patient. The days of a lone practitioner treating a community are replaced by a team of healthcare providers taking care of an individual.
Dr. Shari DeVeney Ph.D., CCC-SLP
Graduate Program Chair, Department of Special Education & Communication DisordersOmaha
Health Professions And Related Clinical Sciences
What general advice would you give to a Health Coach?
Dr. Shari DeVeney Ph.D., CCC-SLP: There are a number of skills that will become increasingly important in health and wellness fields over the next 3-5 years. One of these is expanding capacity for interdisciplinary collaboration. Efficiently and successfully addressing complex health, wellness, and/or educational issues often requires collaboration across different professional disciplines. Effective communication is essential for these kinds of collaborations. You will need to be able to contribute to a team and work well with others to explain complex concepts specific to your area of the field with clients and colleagues as well as provide complementary - not overlapping or contradictory - clinical services with your professional partners. Additionally, cultural competence -showing respect and understanding of cultural backgrounds, beliefs, and values that differ from your own - will become increasingly important for effective clinical practices within a pluralistic society. Finally, skills related to successful and appropriate remote care delivery are important to cultivate. The rise of tele-medicine, tele-therapy, and remote client monitoring will require health and wellness professionals to adapt their skill sets so they can not only provide high-quality care through in-person interactions, but also through remote formats.
What Health Coach skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Shari DeVeney Ph.D., CCC-SLP: To maximize your salary potential as a new professional in health and wellness fields, I encourage you to research salary trends and expectations for entry-level positions in your specific professional and geographic areas. Salaries can vary substantially depending on work setting and geographic location. We see this a lot in my own field of speech-language pathology. Research the cost of living in different areas and consider relocating if it's a viable option for you and your salary may be higher relative to living expenses there. Be open to opportunities for professional growth! You can achieve growth not only through advancements or promotions within your organization, but sometimes through lateral moves as well if these lateral opportunities provide you with new experiences and skills that can enhance your overall value as an employee. Enhancing your professional value and capacity for meaningful contributions can lead to increases in your earning potential over time.
What will help Health Coaches increase their earning potential?
Dr. Shari DeVeney Ph.D., CCC-SLP: For new graduates entering the workforce in health and wellness fields, there are a number of important aspects to be mindful of that could help you find success in your new career. Namely, I would encourage you to commit yourself to continued education. Create good habits early for staying current on the latest research and evidence-based practices in your field by seeking out professional development opportunities (e.g., attending conferences and seminars, participating in organizational workshops, etc.), particularly in content areas relevant to your new position. Further, networking and professional relationship building is key. Making connections to others in your field can provide you with valuable insights, mentorship, and even career advancement opportunities. Finally, be sure to take some time for yourself. Starting a new career is challenging and can feel all-consuming at times. Be sure to make time for activities that allow you to feel recharged. This will help you prevent burnout and maintain your own physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing as you embark on your new professional adventure.
Ted Eaves
Associate teaching professorWake Forest University
Sports, Kinesiology, And Physical Education/Fitness
What general advice would you give to a Health Coach?
Ted Eaves: For general advice for graduates with a degree in Kinesiology, I would suggest finding an area that you are passionate about. There are a lot of different directions that graduates can take after school such as health care, research, clinical applications, behavioral medicine, pharmaceutical/device sales, and insurance or other business related programs.
What Health Coach skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Ted Eaves: I think as far as skills are concerned, all graduates need to have the basic knowledge and ability to use that knowledge to help their patients/clients; however, the interpersonal skills are the ones that will be the most important moving forward. Caring/compassionate care is essential, empathy and listening skills help you relate to your patients/clients, and cultural competency is a big emphasis now. Communication and collaboration among constituent groups is also really important if going into health care. Taking care of patients requires an entire team of professionals and being able to interact with these different groups is going to be crucial to offering the best care possible.
Megan Harvey Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Health ScienceSpringfield College
School of Health Sciences
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Health Coach job market given the pandemic?
Megan Harvey Ph.D.: I suspect we'll see a boom in health-related professions, including public health and epidemiology! Health care workers are our front-line heroes, and I suspect many graduating students will consider accelerated nursing degrees and physician assistant graduate programs.
What skills stand out on Health Coach resumes?
Megan Harvey Ph.D.: More than ever, employers want to hear that students are able to work collaboratively on a team to produce a high quality product. We are giving our students as many opportunities to work across disciplines as possible. This has been true for awhile, but we also hear that employers value students who graduate with the ability to problem solve in a productive way - meaning, problem solve a solution when it's appropriate but being able to recognize which situations require asking for help sooner.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Health Coaches to find work opportunities?
Megan Harvey Ph.D.: I assume you mean geographically - rural areas are in desperate need of health care professionals of every kind. It can be difficult to recruit new graduates to rural areas but those who do find themselves working with this population often find it very rewarding. As a bonus, some of these areas are tied to some generous loan forgiveness programs!
Corey Hannah
Program Director, Master of Science in Athletic TrainingUniversity of Wisconsin - Eau Claire
Department of Kinesiology
What skills stand out on Health Coach resumes?
Corey Hannah: Things that stand out to me include didactic and clinical experience, team-based approaches to teaching, collaborative models of pedagogy, innovative practices in the classroom and beyond, and an interprofessional approach to both teaching and learning.
What soft skills should all Health Coaches possess?
Corey Hannah: Empathy, sensitivity, and confidentiality in a medical environment, confidence, and trust to ensure credibility.
What hard/technical skills are most important for Health Coaches?
Corey Hannah: Content and pedagogical knowledge, ability to transfer knowledge from the classroom to clinical experiences. Faculty and students need to have a sense of problem-solving and critical thinking skills that drives their practice.
What skills will help Health Coaches earn the most?
Corey Hannah: Variety and diversity of experiences, international experience is a huge plus, multiple certifications and licensures (CSCS, AT, PT, PA, Graston, Dry needling, cupping, to name a few)
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Health Coaches?
Xia Jing: I think so. The COVID-19 pandemic is a historic event, on the tragic side, though. I think everyone who experiences the pandemic will have some levels of long-lasting impacts in their professional or personal lives. For example, their views about public health, one’s individual privacy versus public health needs regarding health information sharing, how to have a balanced eco-system between humans and the natural environment and other lives on the earth, self-discipline, be responsible to oneself and to the ones we contact, intentionally or unintentionally. If some of the recognitions/understandings are at the philosophical level, then the impacts may last much longer in one’s professional and personal lives.
What's a day at work look like for a Health Coach?
Xia Jing: I think a recent graduate faces some unprecedented realities, which very few of us have prior experience. A recent graduate must be prepared to function and thrive without detailed instruction or guidance. This may take a lot of judgment and creativity, which can be tricky for an inexperienced newly graduate; however, this is a reality we have to cope with on a daily basis. On the bright side, this is a great opportunity to grow, to explore your own boundary, and to become a better version of yourselves rapidly.
What technical skills for a Health Coach stand out to employers?
Xia Jing: Programming skills, analytic skills, Web development experience, a deep understanding of health system operations in the USA, and a great understanding of medicine and health care delivery will be big pluses in the field. In addition to the technical skills, learning capabilities, adaptabilities, creativities, problem solving, pay attention to details, perform in a team are all critical characteristics in health informatics.
Dr. Dustin Russel Slivka
Associate ProfessorUniversity of Nebraska at Omaha
School of Health and Kinesiology
What's a good job out of college for Health Coaches?
Dr. Dustin Russel Slivka: Everyone wants to make a lot of money and have an easy life. That’s not a reality for most people. There will be financial and personal struggles along the way. A good job is one where you are happy, can express your talents, and be able to live within your means. Depending on your personal situation, having insurance and other benefits may be an important aspect of a good job, but you need to like what you do.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Health Coach job market given the pandemic?
Dr. Dustin Russel Slivka: I believe we will continue to see all aspects of health and wellness come to the forefront. The pandemic has been a big wake-up call for individuals as well as governments to take our health seriously. This could be from a research perspective but also a practitioner’s perspective. I think this will become evident in the job market.
What technical skills for a Health Coach stand out to employers?
Dr. Dustin Russel Slivka: For most jobs you need to at least check all the boxes of the technical skills. In today’s market that may still not be enough to get that job. You need to find a way to set yourself apart. You need to seek out additional opportunities during your training. You need to be involved in the field and in your community. You need to be yourself and explore your own interests that make you an individual and not just another application that checks the boxes. I think UNO does a great job at helping students discover themselves, find unique opportunities, and become more than just checked boxes of technical skills.
Steve Jackowicz Ph.D.
Chair of the Doctoral Program in Traditional Chinese Medicine, Assistant Clinical ProfessorUniversity of Bridgeport
Acupuncture Institute
What soft skills should all Health Coaches possess?
Steve Jackowicz Ph.D.: The TCM provider needs a good bedside manner. In the US, TCM is mostly outpatient services. As such, the TCM Doctor must develop a long term relationship with the patient, and be able to diagnose and treat the conditions that present. The doctor needs the soft skills of patient management which allows the development of trust and maintenance of the dignity and ethical considerations of healthcare.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Health Coaches?
Keith Benson: There will be an ongoing impact on graduates. The extent of the impact is yet to be determined. Many healthcare organizations are delaying or limiting the hiring of new personnel due to financial concerns caused by the pandemic. However, as some administrators retire early or leave the healthcare management field there may be new opportunities. From what I have seen since March 2020 is that it is taking longer for some graduates to find a healthcare management job.
What certifications/licenses/courses can have the biggest impact for Health Coaches?
Keith Benson: An understanding of financial concepts and data analytics will be beneficial. A basic understanding of AI, Cybersecurity, and the IOT will also be beneficial. Another item that may be useful is having a COVID-19 vaccine.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Health Coach job market given the pandemic?
Frank Borgers Ph.D.: While the pandemic has created short-term financial distress and driven some degree of organizational reorganization, the longer-term impact may be to increase the focus on the nation's need to create a far more robust public health infrastructure, that in many ways, begins with, and sits top primary care. The 2020 elections should accelerate this focus as the new administration and congress seek to secure and expand the provisions of the Affordable Care Act.
But, healthcare is of course a huge, vibrant sector, and the underlying drivers of sector growth (in particular the large baby boomer population that will continue to drive acute, outpatient, and nursing home demand) remain, and thus the job market outlook across healthcare jobs remains incredibly robust.
When it comes to health care administration , the future looks very bright. The most recent US News and World Report's, ranks "Medical and Health Services Manager" as #4 amongst its "100 Best Jobs" across all economic sectors, and #1 amongst "Best Business Jobs"!
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics we can anticipate over 30% employment growth for medical and health services managers over the next decade and the creation of an estimated 133,200 new jobs.
In short, despite the pandemic, the job market for health care administration looks incredibly promising.
What general advice would you give to a Health Coach?
Frank Borgers Ph.D.: Humility, in particular toward the clinicians and clinical teams you end up working with. Our clinicians are "at the coal-face" of health care, currently undergoing extraordinary challenges, but beyond the pandemic, the clinical teams are where the value of health care is created and where the healing of healthcare is practiced.
While, as I said, there are incredible opportunities in health care administration, the work can be hard and demanding. So, it really helps to have authentic passion for the mission of health care. Again, the closer you are to those enacting that mission, the easier it is to sustain that commitment.
Finally, while the jobs will be plentiful, health care is an industry undergoing rapid change, and this is likely to remain true and even increase in intensity in the coming decade. So, it is important to develop resilience, emotional intelligence, and a growth mentality to manage the personal and professional challenges that can accompany change. Likewise, it is critically important to stay closely attuned to industry changes - both trends and underlying drivers - and to have an ongoing professional development plan that anticipates these changes, so that you are ready to leverage opportunities when they arise.
Probably the best way to accomplish all these goals is to become an active member within the professional association that is most relevant for your health care administration sub-specialty -- there are many great ones!
Sara Oswalt Ph.D.
Department Chair and ProfessorUniversity of Texas at San Antonio
Department of Public Health
What Health Coach skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Sara Oswalt Ph.D.: Communication - both oral and written - and contact tracing. In the virtual world, how we communicate in email and online platforms has been increasingly important. As we return to more in-person interactions, these skills -- communicating professional and clearly -- remain important to distinguish yourself from others. If it is possible to get a part-time job as contact tracer, do it. While contact tracing has gained attention because of the pandemic, it's a standard practice in public health related to other infectious diseases and STIs (think back to HIV/AIDS in 1990s). Talking with people about their health and their behaviors is a skill that many graduates don't have "real world" experience in; getting that experience can distinguish your application.
What Health Coach skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Patrice Hallock Ph.D.: Volunteer! Work in any setting that will allow one to learn communication and collaborative skills. The participation in any system that is focused on caring for others, whether it is healthcare, social services, or education, will help graduates to better understand the varied settings in which they can apply their academic skills. Graduates must be open to the vast range of settings in which they can apply their skills, and volunteering helps people to learn about opportunities they didn't even know existed (or that they would like!).
What general advice would you give to a Health Coach?
Dr. Patrice Hallock Ph.D.: Remain open to possibilities. Try jobs or roles that you may not know a lot about. Volunteer. Stay engaged in your community. Network. Many times a job opportunity presents itself because you are in the right place at the right time and have already demonstrated an ability to communicate effectively and work collaboratively.
Dr. Mohammad Tohemer Ph.D.
Adjunct FacultyCalifornia University of Management and Sciences (CALUMS)
Healthcare Management
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Health Coach job market given the pandemic?
Dr. Mohammad Tohemer Ph.D.: Given the pandemic situation, we will see high demands on healthcare professions in general. However, Registered Nurses' demands will increase significantly, especially for the specialties in Infection Control and Prevention, Administrators, and Operational Managers. According to the Employment Projections program (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, September 2019), the change of employment from 2019 to 2029 for Nurses will increase by 7.2 percent, Operational Managers jobs increases by 5.8 percent, Medical and Health Services Managers increases by 31.5 percent, Management analysts increases by 10.7 percent, and project management specialists increases by 5.9 percent.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Health Coach job market given the pandemic?
Amanda Barefield: For several years now, we have seen the evolution of health administration services into a consolidated structure, with positions such as finance, health information services, and quality management being embedded throughout the healthcare organization. The traditional "walls" surrounding departments continue to come down and health administration professionals serve as key members of the healthcare team.
The pandemic has reinforced the need for health administration professionals to be well versed in a diversified skill set, including clinical concepts, leadership, and technology. During this unprecedented time in healthcare, it has allowed healthcare administrators to utilize our skills in data analytics, reimbursement, and quality improvement to better manage the new variety of healthcare delivery formats and the patients we serve.
What general advice would you give to a Health Coach?
Amanda Barefield: Any experience is good experience, whether through an employer or as a volunteer. Don't isolate yourself to positions based on titles. Think "outside the box" and look at all job descriptions, keeping your skill set and experience in mind. Be willing to accept a position that may not be your dream job but will give you opportunities for future improvements. Always show enthusiasm to sit at the table and utilize your broad skill set in healthcare administration, even if that means volunteering for projects or committees.
Nicole Hansen
Director of Mission AdvancementYMCA of Greater Fort Wayne
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Health Coaches?
Nicole Hansen: Some companies have thrived during the pandemic financially. These companies have been in a growth mode and will be hiring as long as the pandemic is a threat. Their future success will depend on whether or not they have plans in place to maintain their size after the threat is gone. Some companies have had to downsize and make radical changes due to forced shutdowns and in consumer behavior. As the economy rebounds, companies will right-size, hire more staff, and potentially create jobs that weren't in existence in 2020. Jobs in companies that are more immune to fluxuations in the economy are always safer and more secure. Graduates looking to become employed in 2021 may be expected to provide proof of vaccination, especially while the threat is so top of mind.
What type of skills will young Health Coaches need?
Nicole Hansen: Along with a four-year degree, new graduates will need to demonstrate good interpersonal skills, a positive attitude, and the ability to be cross-trained into more than one department. People who become "utility players" are more valuable because they can pitch in when the need arises. Graduating with a four-year degree communicates that the student is disciplined, responsible, and mature and manages time. Soft skills are also very important because no one wants to work with someone who isn't friendly or cooperative. Being reliable and dependable is also important, especially when beginning a new job. Employers want to know that you can be counted on to arrive on time and to meet deadlines without constant reminders about the expectations. A successful, newly-graduated employee will be known for stepping up and taking on new assignments with eagerness and confidence. The future is unclear, and we are all looking for the type of person who is ready for the challenges ahead.
What experience really stands out on Health Coach resumes?
Nicole Hansen: Experience that stands out on a resume is that which aligns to the job being applied for. For example, listing child care and tutoring experience are good if applying for a teaching position. If the job being applied for requires independence, list jobs that included that skill. If your work experience was volunteer or unpaid but relates to the job being sought, list that too. Any experience that can be tied into the job you want puts you ahead of the candidate with no experience. It's also important to list certifications or licenses that are relevant to the job, such as CPR and First Aid.
Janine Davis Ph.D.
Associate ProfessorUniversity of Mary Washington
College of Education
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Health Coaches?
Janine Davis Ph.D.: For our teacher education graduates, the impact of the pandemic will most likely work in their favor when it comes to finding jobs-the pandemic has led to many retirements, which will mean that we will need even more teachers to fill those empty positions. At the same time, the advent of increased virtual learning means that it will no longer be an option that teachers know and use technology, including teaching online and using learning management and data analysis systems-those skills will almost certainly be a non-negotiable for future teaching positions. Finally, I think that this event has highlighted the importance of working as part of a team of teachers and other school leaders.