### Bureau of Labor Statistics U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Coaches and Scouts Summary
                        
            
                                                        
                                    
            
            
            
                            
                                                
                                                
                                                
                                                
            						
							
				                                                
                                            




            			coaches and scouts imageCoaches instruct amateur and professional athletes, teaching them the fundamental skills of sports.							
						Quick Facts:     Coaches and Scouts2023     Median Pay
            						$45,910     per yearTypical Entry-Level Education
                                    Bachelor's degreeWork Experience in a Related Occupation
                                    NoneOn-the-job Training
                                    NoneNumber of Jobs, 2022
                                    275,200Job Outlook, 2022-32
                                    9% (Much faster than average)Employment Change, 2022-32
                                    25,300What Coaches and Scouts Do
                                                
                        
                        
Coaches teach amateur or professional athletes the skills they need to succeed at their sport. Scouts evaluate athletes as possible recruits.
            
                        Work Environment
                        
Part-time work is common for coaches and scouts. Full-time coaches may work more than 40 hours a week for several months during the sports season. Work schedules for coaches and scouts vary and may involve irregular hours, including evenings, weekends, and holidays. They may need to travel frequently.
            
                                                How to Become a Coach or Scout
                                                
                        
Coaches and scouts typically need a bachelor’s degree. However, educational requirements may vary from no formal educational credential to a bachelor’s or higher degree. These workers also need extensive knowledge of the sport. Coaches typically gain this knowledge through their own experiences playing the sport at some level. Although previous playing experience may be beneficial, it is typically not required for most scouting jobs.
            
                        Pay
                        												                            																				    														The median annual wage for coaches and scouts was $45,910 in May 2023.									                                					
						
            
                        Job Outlook
                        						
												Employment							of coaches and scouts is projected to grow							 9 percent from 2022 to 2032, much faster than the average for all occupations.
						About 38,400 openings for coaches and scouts are projected each year, on average, over the decade.
            			
            			 Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
						State & Area Data
                       Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for coaches and scouts.
            
            
						
                        Similar Occupations
                        
                                                    Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of coaches and scouts with similar occupations.
            
            
                        More Information, Including Links to O*NET
                        
                                               
                        Learn more about coaches and scouts by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
 What Coaches and Scouts Do 
            

			Coaches and scoutsCoaches and scouts analyze the strengths and weaknesses of individual athletes and opposing teams.			
Coaches teach amateur and professional athletes the skills they need to succeed at their sport. Scouts look for new players, evaluating their skills and likelihood for success at the amateur, college, or professional level. Many coaches also are involved in scouting potential athletes for their team.
Duties
Coaches typically do the following:
Plan, organize, and conduct practice sessions
Analyze the strengths and weaknesses of individual athletes and opposing teams
Plan strategies and choose team members for each competition
Direct, encourage, and motivate athletes to prepare them for competitions
Call plays and make decisions about strategy and athlete substitutions during competitions
Plan and direct physical conditioning programs that enable athletes to reach maximum performance
Instruct athletes on proper techniques, strategies, sportsmanship, and the rules of the sport
Keep records of athletes’ and opponents’ performances
Identify and recruit potential athletes
Arrange for and offer incentives to prospective playersCoaches teach amateur and professional athletes the fundamental skills of individual and team sports. They hold practice and training sessions to improve the athletes’ form, skills, and stamina. Along with refining athletes’ individual skills, coaches are responsible for instilling the importance of good sportsmanship, a competitive spirit, and teamwork.
Many coaches evaluate their opponents to determine strategies and to establish particular plays to practice. During competition, coaches call specific plays intended to defeat, surprise, or overpower the opponent, and they also may substitute players to get optimum team chemistry and success.
Some high school coaches are teachers or school administrators who supplement their income by coaching part time.
Coaches may assign specific drills and correct athletes’ techniques. They may spend their time working one-on-one with athletes, designing customized training programs. Coaches also may specialize in teaching the skills of an individual sport, such as golf, ice skating, or tennis. Some coaches, such as baseball coaches, may teach individual athletes involved in team sports.
Scouts typically do the following:
Research news media and other sources to find athletes to consider
Attend competitions, view videos of the athletes’ performances, and study data about the athletes to determine their talent and potential
Talk to the athlete and the coaches to gauge whether the athlete is likely to be successful
Report to the coach, manager, or owner of the team for which he or she is scouting
Arrange for and offer incentives to prospective playersScouts assess the skills of both amateur and professional athletes. Scouts seek out top athletic candidates for colleges or professional teams and evaluate their likelihood of success at a higher competitive level.
 Work Environment
			Coaches and scoutsCoaches provide direction, encouragement, and motivation to athletes.			

	    
				
	
	
	
	
	
	
	    					 Coaches and scouts held about 275,200 jobs in 2022. The largest employers of coaches and scouts were as follows:
        Colleges, universities, and professional schools; state, local, and private
                24%Arts, entertainment, and recreation
                21Elementary and secondary schools; state, local, and private
                18Self-employed workers
                11Some scouts work for organizations that deal directly with high school athletes. These scouts collect information on the athlete and help sell his or her talents to potential colleges.
At the college level, scouts typically work for scouting organizations or are self-employed. In either case, they help colleges recruit the best high school athletes.
Scouts who work at the professional level are typically employed by the team or organization directly.
Those who coach and scout for outdoor sports may be exposed to all weather conditions of the season. In addition, they travel often to attend sporting events. This is particularly true for those in professional sports.
Work Schedules
Part-time work is common for coaches and scouts. Their work schedules vary and may involve irregular hours, including evenings, weekends, and holidays. Full-time coaches may work more than 40 hours a week for several months during the sports season. High school coaches may work part time and have other jobs aside from coaching.
 How to Become a Coach or Scout

			Coaches and scoutsCoaches and scouts must have overall knowledge of the game or sport.			
Coaches and scouts typically need a bachelor’s degree. However, educational requirements for coaches and scouts may vary from no formal educational credential to a bachelor’s or higher degree. These workers also need extensive knowledge of the sport. Coaches typically gain this knowledge through their own experiences playing the sport at some level. Although previous playing experience may be beneficial, it is not required for most scouting jobs.
Education
Many coaches and scouts have a bachelor's degree, but educational requirements vary. Part-time workers and those in smaller facilities or youth leagues may be less likely to need formal education.
Coaches and scouts who attend college may study a recreation and fitness field, such as kinesiology, physical education, or sports medicine. Others major in a business field, such as marketing or sports management.
High schools typically hire teachers or administrators at the school for most coaching jobs. If no suitable teacher is found, schools hire a qualified candidate from outside the school. For more information on education requirements for teachers, see the profile on high school teachers.
Other Experience
College and professional coaching jobs typically require experience playing the sport at some level.
Scouting jobs may not require experience playing a sport at the college or professional level, but doing so can be beneficial. Employers look for applicants who have a passion for sports and an ability to spot players who have exceptional athletic ability and skills.
Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations
Certification often requires that coaches be at least 18 years old and be trained in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and first aid. Coaches also may need to attend classes related to sports safety and coaching fundamentals.
Public high school coaches may need to be certified or complete mandatory education courses. Coaches who are also teachers must meet state licensing requirements, including a background check. For information about specific requirements, contact the state’s high school athletic association or visit the National Federation of State High School Associations.
College and university coaches may need to meet certification or training requirements as outlined by college athletic associations, such as the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) or the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA).
Organizations specific to various sports, such as golf or tennis, may offer certification for coaches. Check with the sport’s national governing body for information on approved programs.
Advancement
To reach the rank of a professional coach, a candidate typically needs years of coaching experience and a winning record at a college. Coaches who do not have coaching experience may still be hired at the professional level if they were successful as an athlete in their sport.
Some college coaches begin their careers as graduate assistants or assistant coaches to gain the experience and knowledge needed to become a head coach. Large schools and colleges that compete at the highest levels require a head coach who has had substantial experience at another school or as an assistant coach.
Other college coaches may begin out as high school coaches before moving up to the collegiate level.
Scouts may begin working as talent spotters in a particular area or region. They typically advance to become supervising scouts responsible for a whole territory or region.
Important Qualities
***Communication skills*.** Because coaches instruct, organize, and motivate athletes, they must be able to convey information clearly. They must communicate proper techniques, strategies, and rules of the sport effectively enough for every player on the team to understand.
***Decision-**making**skills.*** Coaches must choose the appropriate players to use during a game and the proper time to use game-managing tools, such as timeouts. Coaches and scouts also must be selective when recruiting players.
***Dedication*.** Coaches must attend daily practices and assist their team and individual athletes in improving their skills and physical conditioning. Coaches must be dedicated to their sport, as it often takes years to become successful.
***Interpersonal skills*.** Being able to relate to athletes helps coaches and scouts foster positive relationships with their current players and in recruiting potential players.
***Leadership skills*.** Coaches must motivate, develop, and direct athletes to help them reach their potential.
***Resourcefulness*.** Coaches must find and develop a strategy that yields the best chances for winning a competition. Coaches often need to create original plays or formations that provide a competitive advantage and confuse opponents.
 Pay

			



	
 
                                                     
            
    
                Coaches and ScoutsMedian annual wages, May 2023Entertainers and performers, sports and related workers$53,360  Total, all occupations$48,060  Coaches and scouts$45,910Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy.Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics
 

	
	



		
	
	
	
The median annual wage for coaches and scouts was $45,910 in May 2023. 


The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $27,040, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $95,620.





		
	    					 In May 2023, the median annual wages for coaches and scouts in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:	
        Colleges, universities, and professional schools; state, local, and private
                $50,530Elementary and secondary schools; state, local, and private
                47,730Arts, entertainment, and recreation
                45,670Part-time work is common for coaches and scouts. Their work schedules vary and may involve irregular hours, including evenings, weekends, and holidays. Full-time coaches may work more than 40 hours a week for several months during the sports season. High school coaches may work part time and have other jobs aside from coaching.
 Job Outlook

   
        
    
          
        
    
                Coaches and ScoutsPercent change in employment, projected 2022-32Coaches and scouts9%  Entertainers and performers, sports and related workers6%  Total, all occupations3%Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy.Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program
            
            
			 
	
	
	

			Employment				of coaches and scouts is projected to grow				 9 percent from 2022 to 2032, much faster than the average for all occupations.
			
			About 38,400 openings for coaches and scouts are projected each year, on average, over the decade.
			
			 Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
			Employment
	
			
The growing interest in college sports, professional sports, and sports recreation instruction will increase demand for coaches and scouts. To remain competitive, colleges often seek the best athletes for their sports teams. Successful teams help colleges enhance their reputation, recruit future students, and raise donations from alumni. Therefore, colleges will rely on scouts to recruit the best high school athletes.
Growth in the demand for sports instruction is expected to rise, as concerns about lack of physical activity continue to be a focus for the public.
			

                        Employment projections data for     coaches and scouts, 2022-32
                Occupational Title
                        SOC Code
                        Employment, 2022
                        Projected Employment, 2032
                        Change, 2022-32
                        Employment by IndustryPercent
                        NumericSOURCE: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program**Coaches and scouts**
			27-2022
			275,200
			300,500
			9
			25,300
			Get data
 State & Area Data **Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)** The Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program produces employment and wage estimates annually for over 800 occupations. These estimates are available for the nation as a whole, for individual states, and for metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas. The link(s) below go to OES data maps for employment and wages by state and area. Coaches and scouts **Projections Central** Occupational employment projections are developed for all states by Labor Market Information (LMI) or individual state Employment Projections offices. All state projections data are available at www.projectionscentral.com. Information on this site allows projected employment growth for an occupation to be compared among states or to be compared within one state. In addition, states may produce projections for areas; there are links to each state’s websites where these data may be retrieved. **CareerOneStop** CareerOneStop includes hundreds of occupational profiles with data available by state and metro area. There are links in the left-hand side menu to compare occupational employment by state and occupational wages by local area or metro area. There is also a salary info tool to search for wages by zip code.
 Similar Occupations This table shows a list of occupations with job duties that are similar to those of coaches and scouts. Occupation
                Job Duties
                ENTRY-LEVEL EDUCATION
                2023     MEDIAN PAY**Athletes and Sports Competitors**
            Athletes and sports competitors participate in organized, officiated sporting events to entertain spectators.
            No formal educational credential
            $70,280**Athletic Trainers**
            Athletic trainers specialize in preventing, diagnosing, and treating muscle and bone injuries and illnesses.
            Master's degree
            $57,930**Dietitians and Nutritionists**
            Dietitians and nutritionists plan and conduct food service or nutritional programs to help people lead healthy lives.
            Bachelor's degree
            $69,680**Fitness Trainers and Instructors**
            Fitness trainers and instructors lead, instruct, and motivate individuals or groups in exercise activities.
            High school diploma or equivalent
            $46,480**High School Teachers**
            High school teachers teach academic lessons and various skills that students will need to attend college and to enter the job market.
            Bachelor's degree
            $65,220**Kindergarten and Elementary School Teachers**
            Kindergarten and elementary school teachers instruct young students in basic subjects in order to prepare them for future schooling.
            Bachelor's degree
            $63,670**Middle School Teachers**
            Middle school teachers educate students, typically in sixth through eighth grades.
            Bachelor's degree
            $64,290**Umpires, Referees, and Other Sports Officials**
            Umpires, referees, and other sports officials preside over competitive athletic or sporting events to help maintain standards of play.
            High school diploma or equivalent
            $35,820
 Contacts for More Information
								
For more information about coaching and scouting for team and individual sports, visit
National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA)
National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA)
National Collegiate Scouting Association (NCSA)
National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS)
National High School Coaches Association (NHSCA)
For more information related to individual sports, contact the sport’s national governing body or coaches’ association.
CareerOneStop
For a career video on coaches and scouts, visit
Coaches and Scouts

                                                
                                                        
                                                                                                    O*NET
                                        Coaches and Scouts
 Suggested citation: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S.  Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Coaches and Scouts, 
        	 at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/entertainment-and-sports/coaches-and-scouts.htm (visited *May 21, 2024*).
 **Last Modified Date:**
                        Wednesday, April 17, 2024


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