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Performance coach vs head coach

The differences between performance coaches 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 performance coach and a head coach. Additionally, a performance coach has an average salary of $48,571, which is higher than the $44,062 average annual salary of a head coach.

The top three skills for a performance coach include customer service, rehabilitation and kids. The most important skills for a head coach are CPR, NCAA, and athletic program.

Performance coach vs head coach overview

Performance CoachHead Coach
Yearly salary$48,571$44,062
Hourly rate$23.35$21.18
Growth rate20%20%
Number of jobs18,11622,027
Job satisfaction-3
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 72%Bachelor's Degree, 73%
Average age3636
Years of experience66

What does a performance coach do?

The duties of a performance coach depend on one's line of work or industry of employment. In a company setting, their responsibilities revolve around conducting inspections and observations to identify the workforce's needs, understanding the vision and mission of the company, and developing programs to train employees and improve their skills. Furthermore, as a performance coach, it is essential to motivate and encourage the workforce to reach goals, all while monitoring their progress and implementing the company's policies and regulations.

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.

Performance coach vs head coach salary

Performance coaches and head coaches have different pay scales, as shown below.

Performance CoachHead Coach
Average salary$48,571$44,062
Salary rangeBetween $29,000 And $79,000Between $30,000 And $63,000
Highest paying CityAmherst, MANew York, NY
Highest paying stateMassachusettsNew York
Best paying companyUMass LowellKern Community College District
Best paying industryTechnologyEducation

Differences between performance coach and head coach education

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

Performance CoachHead Coach
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 72%Bachelor's Degree, 73%
Most common majorKinesiologyKinesiology
Most common collegeNorthwestern UniversityNorthwestern University

Performance coach vs head coach demographics

Here are the differences between performance coaches' and head coaches' demographics:

Performance CoachHead Coach
Average age3636
Gender ratioMale, 67.3% Female, 32.7%Male, 66.3% Female, 33.7%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 8.9% Unknown, 5.6% Hispanic or Latino, 13.2% Asian, 5.4% White, 66.7% 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 performance coach and head coach duties and responsibilities

Performance coach example responsibilities.

  • Achieve experience training NFL prospects training for the NFL combine.
  • Perform additional responsibilities as deemed appropriate by school and district supervisors such as organizing and managing elementary school mathematics information nights.
  • Head volleyball coach for the JV program.
  • Shadow CSCS coaches and aid with training athletes.
  • Prepare collegiate and NFL athletes for their athletic seasons.
  • Motivate and instruct kids and adults to live a healthy lifestyle.
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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

Performance coach vs head coach skills

Common performance coach skills
  • Customer Service, 18%
  • Rehabilitation, 13%
  • Kids, 12%
  • Training Sessions, 12%
  • Training Programs, 11%
  • Fitness Programs, 4%
Common head coach skills
  • CPR, 31%
  • NCAA, 7%
  • Athletic Program, 5%
  • Player Development, 4%
  • Softball, 4%
  • Leadership, 4%

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