Coaches help people learn how to play a sport. They start by
teaching them the basics. They show them the proper form and technique.
Coaches have practice sessions to do drills and improve the athlete's
skills and stamina. They also manage the team during competition.
They help motivate players to do their best.
Coaches also devise strategies to give their teams the best chance
of winning. Coaches may evaluate or "scout" the opposing team
prior to the competition.
Coaches may also select and store equipment and other supplies.
Some coaches are full-time workers. Others just do it part time,
like many high school teachers who also coach a school team.
Coaches get a lot of satisfaction from seeing kids succeed in
Coaches often work irregular work hours. Coaches often work Saturdays,
Sundays, evenings, and holidays. Full-time coaches usually work
more than 40 hours a week for several months during the sports
Coaches who work with outdoor sports have to deal with different
types of weather. Coaches often travel to sporting events by bus
|How do you get ready to become a coach?
Education and training requirements for coaches vary greatly
by the level and type of sport. Some people start by coaching
young kids on recreation teams. Then they might become high school
coaches. To become a professional coach, it takes many years of
coaching experience and a winning record in high school or college
High school coaches who are mainly teachers must have a college
degree. Those who are not teachers must meet State requirements
for certification in order to become a coach. Coaches need to
take courses in exercise, sports science, and physical education.
Coaches must be able to talk to others clearly. They also must
|How much does a coach get paid?
The middle half of coaches and scouts earned between $17,890
and $42,250. The lowest-paid 10 percent earned less than $13,370.
The highest-paid 10 percent earned more than $60,230.
In 2002, there were about 130,000 coaches and scouts. They worked
at schools, sports associations, health clubs, and other places.
More sports and fitness activities means we will need more of
these workers. The number of jobs is expected to grow about as
fast as the average for all occupations between 2002 and 2012.
People who are certified to teach academic subjects, like history
or science, in addition to physical education should have the
best chances for high school coaching jobs. There is a lot of
competition for coaching jobs at the college and professional
|Are there other jobs like this?
- Dietitians and nutritionists
- Physical therapists
- Recreation and fitness workers
- Recreational therapists
|Where can you find more information?
More information about athletes, coaches, umpires, and related
workers can be found in the Careers Database.
Occupational Outlook Handbook -- U.S. Department of Labor Bureau
of Labor Statistics