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How to hire a high school coach

High school coach hiring summary. Here are some key points about hiring high school coaches in the United States:

  • There are a total of 37,361 high school coaches in the US, and there are currently 35,727 job openings in this field.
  • The median cost to hire a high school coach is $1,633.
  • Small businesses spend $1,105 per high school coach on training each year, while large companies spend $658.
  • It takes between 36 and 42 days to fill the average role in the US.
  • It takes approximately 12 weeks for a new employee to reach full productivity levels.
  • HR departments typically allocate 15% of their budget towards recruitment efforts.
  • Larkspur, CA, has the highest demand for high school coaches, with 5 job openings.

How to hire a high school coach, step by step

To hire a high school coach, you should create an ideal candidate profile, determine a budget, and post and promote your job. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to hire a high school coach:

Here's a step-by-step high school coach hiring guide:

  • Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
  • Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
  • Step 3: Make a budget
  • Step 4: Write a high school coach job description
  • Step 5: Post your job
  • Step 6: Interview candidates
  • Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new high school coach
  • Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

What does a high school coach do?

High school coaches are often fondly remembered by student athletes long after they have left high school. A high school coach's primary job is to improve the performance of high school athletes by motivating and instructing. Coaches should be well educated in the sport they teach, and they should be able to communicate their ideas to their athletes in an easily understandable way. They must be committed to the student community.

Learn more about the specifics of what a high school coach does
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  1. Identify your hiring needs

    Before you post your high school coach job, you should take the time to determine what type of worker your business needs. While certain jobs definitely require a full-time employee, it's sometimes better to find a high school coach for hire on a part-time basis or as a contractor.

    Determine employee vs contractor status
    Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

    Hiring the perfect high school coach also involves considering the ideal background you'd like them to have. Depending on what industry or field they have experience in, they'll bring different skills to the job. It's also important to consider what levels of seniority and education the job requires and what kind of salary such a candidate would likely demand.

    This list presents high school coach salaries for various positions.

    Type of High School CoachDescriptionHourly rate
    High School CoachCoaches teach amateur or professional athletes the skills they need to succeed at their sport. Scouts look for new players and evaluate their skills and likelihood for success at the college, amateur, or professional level... Show more$13-32
    Coach/InstructorA 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.$17-34
    Basketball CoachA 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... Show more$13-32
  2. Create an ideal candidate profile

    Common skills:
    • CPR
    • Student Athletes
    • Kids
    • Public Schools
    • Volleyball
    • Soccer
    • Professional Development
    • Softball
    • Athletic Program
    • Role Model
    • Varsity Girls
    • Leadership
    • Player Development
    • NCAA
    Check all skills
    Responsibilities:
    • Lead the boys and girls teams to strong sectional outcomes, which lead their qualification for the state championship meet.
    • Certify to perform CPR and transport team.
    • Create and implement the curriculum/lesson plans for the school's first freshman geography program.
    • Train in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and all necessary training and education programs require by the state.
    • Assist players in selecting schools for attendance for collegiate careers and getting paperwork together nor the NCAA clearinghouse requirements.
    • Select players with great potential, provide training, organize soccer camps, and participate in various local soccer competitions.
    More high school coach duties
  3. Make a budget

    Including a salary range in your high school coach job description is one of the best ways to attract top talent. A high school coach can vary based on:

    • Location. For example, high school coaches' average salary in wyoming is 57% less than in district of columbia.
    • Seniority. Entry-level high school coaches 57% less than senior-level high school coaches.
    • Certifications. A high school coach with certifications usually earns a higher salary.
    • Company. Working for an established firm or a new start-up company can make a big difference in a high school coach's salary.

    Average high school coach salary

    $44,789yearly

    $21.53 hourly rate

    Entry-level high school coach salary
    $29,000 yearly salary
    Updated December 19, 2025

    Average high school coach salary by state

    RankStateAvg. salaryHourly rate
    1New York$55,337$27
    2California$51,681$25
    3Connecticut$51,069$25
    4Florida$49,499$24
    5Massachusetts$49,383$24
    6Nevada$46,420$22
    7Texas$45,926$22
    8Oregon$43,291$21
    9New Mexico$40,313$19
    10Michigan$40,241$19
    11Colorado$39,746$19
    12Pennsylvania$39,744$19
    13Minnesota$39,636$19
    14Washington$39,567$19
    15Maryland$38,640$19
    16Arizona$38,097$18
    17Tennessee$37,749$18
    18Kansas$32,450$16

    Average high school coach salary by company

  4. Writing a high school coach job description

    A good high school coach job description should include a few things:

    • Summary of the role
    • List of responsibilities
    • Required skills and experience

    Including a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager is also appreciated by candidates. Here's an example of a high school coach job description:

    High school coach job description example

    Job DescriptionSalary: $20-$25

    Join our network of Recess and Physical Education Coaches!

    Be Part of Our Movement to Inspire the Next Generation


    WHO WE ARE

    Kids in the Game sport and enrichment-based programs can be found in schools and communities across New York City, serving thousands of children every year. Our goal is to provide positive experiences and opportunities through sports and creative play. We inspire kids to embrace new experiences, adopt a healthy lifestyle, and build integrity. Our work is focused on achieving five ultimate impacts:

    • Enhancing emotional intelligence
    • Creating a positive sense of self
    • Developing NYC into the nation’s top talent hub Integrating our communities
    • Narrowing the income inequality gaps

    Kids in the Game is a Certified B Corporation and we’re committed to doing business for good. We are striving every day to have a positive impact in the lives of our youth, and we believe that it all starts with being the best part of their day.

    To learn more about our programs and our team, visit www.kidsinthegame.com.


    WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR

    We’re currently interviewing and hiring coaches, college students, and youth development specialists to join our network of Recess and Physical Education (PE) coaches as of Fall 2022. Positions would start in September 2022 and last through May-June 2023.


    About the role: Recess & PE Coaches lead group games and physical education classes in schools across New York City during the school year. Coaches organize games and challenges that promote physical activity and positive interaction among children and young adults from Pre-K to middle school. Your goal is to develop motor skills and physical development among younger children and encourage proper exercise and eating habits among older children. You must be able to adapt your activities to accommodate and include children with different physical and development abilities.


    Qualifications: If you have experience leading games for large groups of kids, want to become a PE teacher or stronger coach, or already have an educational background in PE / sports management, this role is for you!


    As a Recess coach, you should expect to facilitate group games in an outdoor yard or gym space for 20-100 students. As a PE coach, you should expect to teach a full PE curriculum for class sizes of 15-20 students. We provide training and curricula resources that will give you a wealth of games and class lessons to help you lead a year-round recess and physical education classes for different age groups and sizes.


    Besides possessing a strong background in physical fitness and group instruction, Recess & PE coaches must have strong speaking and listening skills to effectively lead class sessions and maintain a well-structured learning environment.


    Weekly Schedule: Our Recess & PE coaches are expected to work 15-20 hours per week in different schools throughout the week. Most recess programs operate 3-5 days per week for 2-3 hours per day (morning hours). Most PE programs operate 3-5 days per week for 4-5 hours per day (morning and afternoon).


    Position Responsibilities :

    • Teach skills and enhance children’s knowledge of physical fitness, health education, rhythm and dance, as well as individual and team sports, through Kids in the Game curriculum
    • Work cooperatively with other Kids in the Game staff members in planning a balanced recess & physical education program
    • Analyze, demonstrate, and explain basic skills, knowledge, and strategies of formal sports, games rhythms, and fundamentals of body movement
    • Provide individualized and small group instruction in order to adapt the curriculum to the developmental needs of each child
    • Provide appropriate safety instruction and conduct safety checks on equipment and field areas to insure the overall safety of all sports equipment and school spaces
    • Implement best practices in child behavior management to provide an orderly, productive environment in physical education classes and group activities
    • Evaluate each child's growth in physical skills, knowledge, and contribution in team sports, and share regular progress reports with school administrators and Kids in the Game’s program management team
    • Collaborate with school administrators to develop the method by which he/she will be evaluated in conformance with district guidelines.
    • Communicate with parents and school counselors on each child’s progress
    • Performs other duties as may from time to time be assigned by the supervisor to successfully implement the physical education program


    Compensation: This is a part-time, hourly position. We offer competitive hourly rates in the range of $20-$25 per hour for recess and PE coaches based on prior experience as a general coach and background in school-based or PE instruction.


    WHAT WE ARE GOING TO LOVE ABOUT YOU

    Our ideal candidate would meet some or all of the following qualifications:

    • Currently pursuing a bachelor’s or advanced educational degree in physical education is highly preferred
    • Possess at least two years of experience leading physical education and fitness classes in school-based settings
    • Must be able to demonstrate positive group management and engagement through a structured interview and demo process
    • Must be able to work within a team environment and independently. You may be asked to lead PE classes on your own or with a co-coach, so you should be adaptable to different class structures!
    • Act as a Kids in the Game ambassador and communicate efficiently with the People & Culture and Program Management team to stay informed about program updates
    • Be a positive and influential role model for the children you work with and contribute meaningful to the school culture while you are at the school


    WHAT YOU ARE GOING TO LOVE ABOUT US

    • We are a youthful, passionate, committed team of individuals that care about our youth and city
    • We are committed to developing innovative, creative programs that promote creative play and sports skill development
    • We work hard and push each other personally and professionally to keep growing
    • We offer you the freedom to reach new parts of NYC while working in diverse communities
    • We are an active team and regularly participate in company social leagues, team-building activities, and sporting events


    OUR COMMITMENT TO YOU

    At Kids in the Game, you can expect to be welcomed into an engaging and spirited environment that emphasizes the importance of teamwork, open communication, and collaboration. We are proud to foster an inclusive environment where our team members feel respected by and connected to one another. We value the unique experiences, perspectives, and passions of our employees, and we look forward to adding dynamic personalities to our team.


    Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion : We are committed to creating a diverse, equitable and inclusive work environment for all of our interns and employees. We recruit candidates from across the city, state, and country, from all cultural and socio-economic backgrounds. We have developed partnerships with organizations that allow us to target our hiring practices to include chronically discriminated against or low-income groups, and improve their access to high-quality employment opportunities.


    CONNECT WITH US:

    • Instagram: www.instagram.com/kidsinthegameny/
    • Twitter: twitter.com/KidsintheGameNY/
    • Facebook: www.facebook.com/kidsinthegameny/
    • LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/kids-in-the-game-ny
  5. Post your job

    There are a few common ways to find high school coaches for your business:

    • Promoting internally or recruiting from your existing workforce.
    • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
    • Attend job fairs at local colleges to meet candidates with the right educational background.
    • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to recruit passive job-seekers.
    Post your job online:
    • Post your high school coach job on Zippia to find and recruit high school coach candidates who meet your exact specifications.
    • Use field-specific websites.
    • Post a job on free websites.
  6. Interview candidates

    Your first interview with high school coach candidates should focus on their interest in the role and background experience. As the hiring process goes on, you can learn more about how they'd fit into the company culture in later rounds of interviews.

    It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match your ideal candidate profile. If you think a candidate is good enough for the next step, you can move on to the technical interview.

    The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

  7. Send a job offer and onboard your new high school coach

    Once you've selected the best high school coach candidate for the job, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, this letter should include details about the benefits and perks you offer the candidate. Ensuring that your offer is competitive is essential, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and you should be open to discussion. After you reach an agreement, the final step is formalizing the agreement with a contract.

    You should also follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that you've filled the position.

    Once that's done, you can draft an onboarding schedule for the new high school coach. Human Resources should complete Employee Action Forms and ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc. They should also ensure that new employee files are created for internal recordkeeping.

  8. Go through the hiring process checklist

    • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
    • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
    • Define job responsibilities and requirements
    • Establish budget and timeline
    • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
    • Write job description
    • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
    • Promote the job internally
    • Process applications through applicant tracking system
    • Review resumes and cover letters
    • Shortlist candidates for screening
    • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
    • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
    • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
    • Conduct background checks on top candidates
    • Check references of top candidates
    • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
    • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
    • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
    • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
    • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
    • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)
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How much does it cost to hire a high school coach?

There are different types of costs for hiring high school coaches. One-time cost per hire for the recruitment process. Ongoing costs include employee salary, training, onboarding, benefits, insurance, and equipment. It is essential to consider all of these costs when evaluating hiring a new high school coach employee.

You can expect to pay around $44,789 per year for a high school coach, as this is the median yearly salary nationally. This can vary depending on what state or city you're hiring in. If you're hiring for contract work or on a per-project basis, hourly rates for high school coaches in the US typically range between $13 and $32 an hour.

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