How To Become A Riding Instructor: What It Is and Career Path

What is a riding instructor and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

2 min read

Quoted expert

David McMahan Ph.D.

There is more than meets the eye when it comes to being a riding instructor. For example, did you know that they make an average of $15.86 an hour? That's $32,988 a year! Between 2018 and 2028, the career is expected to grow 19% and produce 57,800 job opportunities across the U.S.

What general advice would you give to a riding instructor?

David McMahan Ph.D.

Charles A. Dana Professor of Religious Studies, Franklin and Marshall College

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.

ScoreRiding InstructorUS Average

Salary

2.6

Avg. Salary $32,988

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

4.9

Growth rate 19%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

8.1

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.64%

Asian 4.02%

Black or African American 10.89%

Hispanic or Latino 12.68%

Unknown 5.86%

White 65.91%

Gender

female 87.55%

male 12.45%

Age - 43

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 43

Stress level

4.9

Stress level is manageable

7.1 - high

Complexity level

5.9

Complexity level is intermediate

7 - challenging

Work life balance

10.0

Work life balance is excellent

6.4 - fair

Key steps to become a riding instructor

Explore riding instructor education requirements

Most common riding instructor degrees

Bachelor's

66.1 %

Associate

14.8 %

High School Diploma

9.2 %

Start to develop specific riding instructor skills

Skills	Percentages
CPR	45.62%
Emergency Situations	15.86%
Group Lessons	9.03%
Private Lessons	6.16%
RAN	4.97%

Complete relevant riding instructor training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 3-6 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New riding instructors learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a riding instructor based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real riding instructor resumes.

Research riding instructor duties and responsibilities

Demonstrate responsibility managing and maintaining boats and equipment.
Cover the fundamental concepts of chemistry and biology including cell biology, metabolism, microbiology, genetics, evolution and histology.
Instruct adults in a variety of topics including; emotional psychology, biological psychology, anatomy and physiology, motivational psychology ...

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