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Job outlook for sports leadership instructors in the United States
Sports leadership instructor job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected sports leadership instructor job growth rate is 12% from 2018-2028.
About 159,400 new jobs for sports leadership instructors are projected over the next decade.
Sports leadership instructor salaries have increased 12% for sports leadership instructors in the last 5 years.
There are over 3,912 sports leadership instructors currently employed in the United States.
There are 26,501 active sports leadership instructor job openings in the US.
The average sports leadership instructor salary is $47,790.
Are sports leadership instructor jobs in demand?
Sports leadership instructor job and salary trends over time
Sports leadership instructor jobs over time
Sports leadership instructor job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 3,912 | 0.00% |
| 2020 | 4,157 | 0.00% |
| 2019 | 4,482 | 0.00% |
| 2018 | 4,654 | 0.00% |
| 2017 | 4,694 | 0.00% |
Average sports leadership instructor salary over time
Sports leadership instructor salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $47,790 | $22.98 | +3.0% |
| 2024 | $46,413 | $22.31 | +2.8% |
| 2023 | $45,144 | $21.70 | +4.1% |
| 2022 | $43,363 | $20.85 | +1.6% |
| 2021 | $42,664 | $20.51 | --0.2% |
Sports leadership instructor jobs by state
Most common states for sports leadership instructors
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 539 | 10% |
| 2 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 57 | 10% |
| 3 | South Carolina | 5,024,369 | 389 | 8% |
| 4 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 89 | 8% |
| 5 | Delaware | 961,939 | 73 | 8% |
| 6 | Georgia | 10,429,379 | 770 | 7% |
| 7 | North Carolina | 10,273,419 | 689 | 7% |
| 8 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 633 | 7% |
| 9 | Oregon | 4,142,776 | 291 | 7% |
| 10 | Alaska | 739,795 | 55 | 7% |
| 11 | Iowa | 3,145,711 | 177 | 6% |
| 12 | South Dakota | 869,666 | 49 | 6% |
| 13 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 44 | 6% |
| 14 | Vermont | 623,657 | 40 | 6% |
| 15 | New Jersey | 9,005,644 | 488 | 5% |
| 16 | Michigan | 9,962,311 | 461 | 5% |
| 17 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 274 | 5% |
| 18 | Nevada | 2,998,039 | 162 | 5% |
| 19 | Utah | 3,101,833 | 144 | 5% |
| 20 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 55 | 5% |
Most common cities for sports leadership instructors
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jupiter | 1 | 2% | $50,370 |
| 2 | Fort Collins | 1 | 1% | $35,985 |
| 3 | Chicago | 1 | 0% | $40,903 |
Sports Leadership Instructor job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of sports leadership instructor experts
University of Central Missouri
Howard University
Next College Student Athlete
Kentucky Wesleyan College
Brigham Young University–Hawaii
Chadron State College
Denison University
Belhaven University
CREP - Coalition for the Registration of Exercise Professionals
University of Southern Mississippi
Center of Excellence for Sport Science and Coach Education
Dr. Kenneth Bias
Professor & Program CoordinatorUniversity of Central Missouri
School of Teaching and Learning
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Sports Leadership Instructor job market given the pandemic?
Dr. Kenneth Bias: Jobs are really becoming more limited when it comes to the sports and recreation side of the degree. Most students who are looking to go into collegiate coaching are doing well finding those first-level positions.
What Sports Leadership Instructor skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
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.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Sports Leadership Instructors?
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.
What type of skills will young Sports Leadership Instructors need?
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.
What experience really stands out on Sports Leadership Instructor resumes?
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.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Sports Leadership Instructors?
Lisa Strasman: With many companies operating remotely throughout the pandemic, recent college graduates face unique circumstances as they enter the workforce. Instead of happy hours with new co-workers, many recent college grads find themselves logging into work from their living room. Great companies find ways to maintain a strong company culture and team unity even in a remote environment. Recent grads should seek out organizations where they can embrace the culture and mission, regardless of where their desk may be located.
What type of skills will young Sports Leadership Instructors need?
Lisa Strasman: Adaptability, great communication skills, time-management, strong work ethic/grit, teamwork, resilience, humility.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Sports Leadership Instructors to find work opportunities?
Lisa Strasman: I am not sure which field specifically you are referring to, so I'll go with working in sports. If you want to work for a team, you will likely need to be in the city that the team resides. Fortunately, most major cities have multiple professional and semi-professional teams. Other sports organizations such as NCSA have a national presence. NCSA has transitioned to a remote-first culture, and team members can work from anywhere within the U.S.
Julie Richardson
Professor of Exercise ScienceKentucky Wesleyan College
Department of Exercise Science
What type of skills will young Sports Leadership Instructors need?
Julie Richardson: With technology continuing to advance, the world is faced with an oversaturation of information that is readily available in the palm of one's hand. Young graduates must be fluent in many fields to remain competitive and provide innovative ideas to their specific clientele. Increasing one's knowledge within the liberal arts will allow them to cater to a broader range of individuals, which will increase their odds of impressing potential employers.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Sports Leadership Instructors to find work opportunities?
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.
How do you envision technology impacting Sports Leadership Instructors in the next 5 years?
Julie Richardson: Technology advancements will allow for more concentrated and complex research to be conducted to further our knowledge regarding the complexities of the human body and how it responds to various stimuli such as exercise and diseases.
What experience really stands out on Sports Leadership Instructor resumes?
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.
What Sports Leadership Instructor skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
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.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Sports Leadership Instructor job market given the pandemic?
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.
Will there be an increase or decrease in demand for Sports Leadership Instructors in the next 5 years?
Dr. Brittany Helmbrecht: I am not sure. I hope this pandemic has caused people to evaluate their health and make positive changes, but I can't say it has. I believe the difference in fitness delivery, when fitness centers and gyms were shut down, changed the fitness industry and how people prefer to work out. Though there are still many who went back to fitness centers as soon as possible, I think many recognized how easy it could be to work out in your own home.
Dr. Eric Winters Ph.D.
Associate ProfessorDenison University
Department of Health, Exercise, and Sport Studies
How do you envision technology impacting Sports Leadership Instructors in the next 5 years?
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.
Dr. Benjamin Carr Ph.D.
Associate Professor and ChairBelhaven University
Department of Sports Medicine and Exercise Science Faculty
What type of skills will young Sports Leadership Instructors need?
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.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Sports Leadership Instructors to find work opportunities?
Dr. Benjamin Carr Ph.D.: Some will even go to medical school. Those who do enter the workforce after completing their BS, typically, go into the fitness industry as personal trainers or into coaching (although that often requires continuing education to complete a teacher certification). I say all this to say that I don't have extensive experience in sending students directly into the workforce. There are ample work opportunities in my field, but almost all of them require some advanced degree. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, job growth for the careers mentioned above is faster than the average job growth in all U.S. fields.
How do you envision technology impacting Sports Leadership Instructors in the next 5 years?
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.
Brian Biagioli
Immediate Past PresidentCREP - Coalition for the Registration of Exercise Professionals
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Sports Leadership Instructors?
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.
What type of skills will young Sports Leadership Instructors need?
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.
What type of skills will young Sports Leadership Instructors need?
Jeff Mitchell: Collaboration tops the list. The ability to listen, learn, and communicate will differentiate those who can collaborate and help build effective teams. Critical thinking skills, including problem-solving competence, and a strong writing capacity, will be highly valued.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Sports Leadership Instructors to find work opportunities?
Jeff Mitchell: I encourage young graduates to choose where they want to live and thrive and limit their work options based solely on location. We're seeing more flexibility in the workplace today as remote collaboration has proven successful.
How do you envision technology impacting Sports Leadership Instructors in the next 5 years?
Jeff Mitchell: Technology unites us across distance and exists as a critically valuable asset for the business. Graduates who enter the workforce with experience using advanced tools or openness to adopt them will find their transition to work more welcoming and empowering. Similarly, leaders can differentiate how to problem solve and create innovative solutions by leveraging data to improve fiscal operations, team engagement, and human resource management.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Sports Leadership Instructors?
Meg Stone: There is no doubt that the coronavirus, to state the obvious, has had a tremendous impact on everyone. Wither there will be an enduring impact on the field of sport and sport coaching has yet to be determined. Presently, there is no doubt that sport has been detrimentally affected with everything from potential school sports closures, to NCAA restrictive guidelines, sports being dropped at the D1 level, and NFL/NBA reorganized schedules.
A few of our former graduates have been placed on furloughs or restrictive coaching schedules involving pay cuts. One of the positive aspects of the Sports Science program at ETSU is the dual-track aspect of our doctoral program. One track is physiology and research-orientated, and the other is heavily practical coaching, but each track must take classes in the other, so the students coming out of the program have two options for employment teaching/researching and/or coaching. With the present uncertainness in sport and coaching positions, with this background, the graduate from our program is equipped to make the transition into a more stable job opportunity in teaching at the collegiate level.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Sports Leadership Instructors to find work opportunities?
Meg Stone: The ETSU program of sports science and strength and conditioning has been in operation for the past ten years, and presently 100% of the graduates from our program have attained a position in their chosen field. They are finding job opportunities in the following areas:
- Collegiate athletic departments
- Teaching - University faculty positions tenured and non-tenured
- Fitness industry private clubs
- Presently, we have students working/coaching in the NBA, NFL, MBA, and Track and Field
- International relationships: 5 of our former students are working with NGB's in Taiwan and China
How do you envision technology impacting Sports Leadership Instructors in the next 5 years?
Meg Stone: In the past ten years or so, technology has become an ever-increasing part of the sport both at the grassroots level and especially at the collegiate and professional level. This discrepancy is mainly due to cost. Schools at the D1 level with a big budget have invested heavily in technology to support their programs. It is my opinion this serves two purposes.
Firstly, a genuine effort to quantify exactly what factors influence athletic development. Secondly, and much less important, is the recruiting aspect. Young recruits are heavily influenced by "bells and whistles," and demonstrating these tools in recruiting can be an advantage. Professional sports have benefited substantially from technological advancement in sports such as soccer. Alex Ferguson, while manager of Manchester United, has been quoted as saying that one of the main reasons for that team's success was developments in sport science, particularly GPS tracking systems.
I believe presently we are reaching a plateau in the application of technology in sport, but there will always be ongoing developments. However, I believe the application of technology in sport is slowing considerably compared with the past ten years. Technology in the future may take us into the realm of Star Trek with transports etc. My concern is for the role of the coach, the human relationship with the athlete, the coaching eye (which is very much undervalued), and the motivational aspect through human interaction.