Arts, Design, Media & Sports
Coaches and Scouts
Also called: Baseball Coach, Basketball Coach, Coach, Cross Country Coach
US median pay
$47,320
per year, 2025
Job growth 2025–35
+6.1%
faster than average
Openings a year (US)
36,400
298,800 employed
Typical entry education
Bachelor's degree
Preparation 4/5 · Considerable preparation
What this job is
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.
What they do day to day
- 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.
- Monitor the academic eligibility of student athletes.
- Counsel student athletes on academic, athletic, and personal issues.
- Analyze the strengths and weaknesses of opposing teams to develop game strategies.
- Coordinate travel arrangements and travel with team to away contests.
- Evaluate athletes' skills and review performance records to determine their fitness and potential in a particular area of athletics.
Skills and knowledge that matter most
Skills
- Instructing4.8/5
- Social Perceptiveness4.0/5
- Judgment and Decision Making4.0/5
- Time Management3.9/5
- Systems Analysis3.9/5
- Persuasion3.9/5
- Management of Personnel Resources3.9/5
- Coordination3.9/5
Knowledge
- Education and Training3.8/5
- English Language3.7/5
- Administration and Management3.6/5
- Psychology3.6/5
- Customer and Personal Service3.5/5
- Communications and Media3.2/5
Importance rated by people working in the job (1 = not important, 5 = extremely important).
Education and preparation
Preparation level 4 of 5 — Considerable preparation. Usually a bachelor's degree and several years of related experience.
Typical entry education (BLS): Bachelor's degree.
Highest education of people in this job:
- Bachelor's degree49%
- Master's degree19%
- Associate's degree17%
Who this job suits
Mostly Social
Helping, teaching and caring for people
Enterprising
Leading, persuading and starting things
Realistic
Hands-on work with tools, machines, plants or animals
Based on the Holland (RIASEC) interest profile for this occupation.