Zone 4: Considerable Preparation

Coach & Scout

Coach & Scout earn $47,320 nationally at the median. The middle 50% of workers fall between $35,330 and $64,710. Where you land depends on specialization, employer, and experience.

About Coach & Scout

Instruct or coach groups or individuals in the fundamentals of sports for the primary purpose of competition. Demonstrate techniques and methods of participation. May evaluate athletes' strengths and weaknesses as possible recruits or to improve the athletes' technique to prepare them for competition. Those required to hold teaching certifications should be reported in the appropriate teaching category.


Median Wage
$47,320
Employed Nationally
249K
Openings / Year
41,800
Entry Education
Bachelor's degree
Job Zone
Zone 4: Considerable Preparation

Also known as:

Athletic Coach Athletic Instructor Athletic Scout Athletics Teacher Baseball Club Manager

How Much Do Coaches & Scouts Make?

Coach & Scout earn $47,320 nationally, below average for bachelor's degree holders. The middle 50% of earners fall between $35,330 and $64,710. Actual pay varies by employer, specialization, and location.

$47,320
National Median (Annual)

Below average for bachelor's degree holders.

$35K–$65K
Middle 50% Range

25th to 75th percentile. Most workers earn within this band.


Earnings Range

The mean wage for this occupation is $60,160, above the median. A concentration of very high earners pulls the average up. The median is the better gauge of typical pay.

What Do Coaches & Scouts Do?

O*NET data identifies 5 core activities and 5 measurable skills for Coach & Scout roles. Use this section to judge whether the day-to-day reality aligns with what you actually want to spend time doing.

What You'll Do

  • Plan, organize, and conduct practice sessions.
  • Provide training direction, encouragement, motivation, and nutritional advice to prepare athletes for games, competitive events, or tours.
  • Adjust coaching techniques, based on the strengths and weaknesses of athletes.
  • Instruct individuals or groups in sports rules, game strategies, and performance principles, such as specific ways of moving the body, hands, or feet, to achieve desired results.
  • Plan strategies and choose team members for individual games or sports seasons.

Core Skills Employers Look For

Instructing Speaking Monitoring Learning Strategies Judgment and Decision Making

Who Thrives Here

S
Social

Working closely with people, teaching, advising, or helping others navigate challenges is a defining feature of this career's daily work.

E
Enterprising

Leadership, influence, and business acumen are rewarded here, where managing teams, driving decisions, or persuading others shapes career outcomes.

R
Realistic

Hands-on tasks, physical activity, or working with tools and real materials are central parts of the daily work here.

Where Do Coaches & Scouts Work?

What the physical and mental conditions of this job actually look like day to day, based on O*NET Work Context data collected from people working in this occupation.

Work Setting
Mixed

Split between indoor and outdoor or field settings.

Physical Demands
Light

Mix of sitting and movement throughout the day.

Stress Level
Moderate

Moderate pressure. Regular deadlines exist but are generally manageable with experience.

What Is the Job Outlook for Coaches & Scouts?

The BLS projects +6.4% employment change for Coach & Scout through 2034, roughly in line with the national average of +5%. About 41,800 openings per year keep the field accessible to new entrants.

↗ +6.4%
10-Year Growth (2024–2034)

About as fast as average.

41,800
Annual Openings

New positions plus replacements for retirees and career-changers.

249K
Currently Employed

Total US employment as of BLS May 2024.

Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034 and Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2024.

Where the Jobs Are

The five states below employ the most Coach & Scout professionals nationwide. State-level wages can differ significantly from the $47,320 national median. Research your specific market before committing to a program.

# State Jobs Median Wage vs. National
1 California 31,850 $46,120 -2.5%
2 Ohio 17,660 $38,480 -18.7%
3 Texas 15,780 $36,080 -23.8%
4 Florida 13,270 $46,680 -1.4%
5 Illinois 11,320 $45,920 -3.0%

Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024. Employment figures rounded. Read our methodology →

How to Get Here

Most Coach & Scout positions require a bachelor's degree to qualify. The 3 programs below are the most common academic pathways into this field, ranked by how many graduates they produce each year.

Bachelor's degree
Zone 4: Considerable Preparation

These positions typically require a bachelor's degree and several years of related experience before advancing into senior roles.


Degree Programs That Lead Here

# Program Graduates/yr 4yr Median Colleges
1 Kinesiology 65,385 $54,562 1,406
2 Teaching Specific Subjects 40,101 $51,389 1,276
3 Counseling Psychology 39,326 $50,523 799

Top Colleges for Aspiring Coaches & Scouts

Colleges offering the degree programs that lead to this career, ranked by UCD Score. A strong program plus solid outcomes is a good place to begin your search.

# College UCD Score Net Price Salary 10yr
1 United States Military Academy West Point, NY 96
2 CUNY Bernard M Baruch College New York, NY 93 $3,033 $75,971
3 University of California-Los Angeles Los Angeles, CA 93 $12,548 $82,511
4 University of California-San Diego La Jolla, CA 93 $12,470 $84,943
5 University of Florida Gainesville, FL 93 $6,541 $71,588
6 University of California-Irvine Irvine, CA 92 $14,251 $80,735

Plan Your Path

Once you've sized up Coach & Scout, these tools turn the numbers into a plan. Estimate the real cost of a degree that leads here, weigh the long-term payoff, compare specific colleges side-by-side, and find programs that match your profile.

Coach & Scout Pros & Cons

The data on Coach & Scout shows 2 measurable strengths and 3 real trade-offs. All points are drawn from BLS wage data, employment projections, and IPEDS program completions.

PROS
  • Steady job outlook The BLS projects +6.4% growth through 2034, keeping pace with the national average. Demand is stable and annual openings remain consistent.
  • Wide job market 249K professionals are employed in this field, large enough to offer geographic flexibility and multiple entry paths.
CONS
  • Modest median salary At $47,320 median, this career lags STEM and business fields. High-cost degree programs may be difficult to justify on salary alone.
  • Multi-year ramp before career-level pay This is a Job Zone 4 occupation, these positions typically require a bachelor's degree and several years of related experience before advancing into senior roles. Most workers in this field spend their first several years at entry-level pay well below the $47,320 median while building the experience employers require.
  • Entry-level pay well below the national median The 25th percentile wage of $35,330 is considerably below the $47,320 median. Early-career workers typically spend 5 or more years building toward typical pay. Factor this into any program ROI calculation.

Coach & Scout Frequently Asked Questions

How much do Coach & Scout professionals earn?
The national median annual wage for Coach & Scout is $47,320, below the national median, program ROI depends heavily on keeping tuition costs low. The middle 50% of earners fall between $35,330 and $64,710. Pay varies by employer size, industry sector, specialization, and geography. National figures are a starting point, not a guarantee.
Is Coach & Scout a good career?
Coach & Scout involves trade-offs worth understanding before committing. At $47,320 median, programs with high tuition are difficult to justify on salary return alone. Prioritize in-state public schools or employer-sponsored pathways. Job growth is projected at +6.4% through 2034. Genuine interest in the work, not just the salary, matters most here.
How long does it take to become a Coach & Scout?
Expect 4 years of undergraduate education followed by 2 or more years of field experience before most employers consider you qualified for career-level positions. A bachelor's degree is the typical minimum credential. Degree programs like Kinesiology are typical entry paths. Early-career pay during this ramp-up period will be meaningfully below the $47,320 national median. Factor that gap into any program ROI calculation.
What is the job outlook for Coach & Scout?
The BLS projects +6.4% employment change for Coach & Scout through 2034, about as fast as average compared to all occupations. About 41,800 job openings per year are projected, including new positions and replacements for workers who retire or change careers. 249K people currently work in this occupation nationwide (BLS May 2024).
What skills do Coach & Scout professionals need?
O*NET data identifies the core skills employers consistently prioritize for Coach & Scout roles: Instructing, Speaking, Monitoring, Learning Strategies, and Judgment and Decision Making. These develop through formal education and hands-on work. Programs with internship or co-op requirements give you a meaningful head start on the ones that take time to build.

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