Coach and Scout Salary
Coaches and Scouts earn a median $47,320 a year nationally. Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations
U.S. median
$47,320
$22.75 per hour
Range
$28,790 – $98,860
10th to 90th percentile
Employed
248,950
across the U.S.
▲3.0%
Pay trend: The median for coaches and scouts in the U.S. rose from $45,920 (May 2024) to $47,320 (May 2025). That beat inflation (2.4%), a real raise of about 0.6%.
What coaches and scouts do
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.
- Typical education
- Bachelor's degree
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- None
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +6.1% (faster than average)
- Openings per year
- 36,400
- Self-employed
- 8%
Employment of coaches and scouts is projected to grow 6.1% from 2025 to 2035, faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 36,400 openings are expected each year, on average, including jobs left by workers who retire or switch careers.
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Coach and Scout take-home pay calculator
Starts at the national median. Pick your state to see your real paycheck.
Your take-home pay
$40,202
per year · effective tax rate 15.0%
$3,350Monthly
$1,675Twice a month
$1,546Every 2 weeks
$19.33Hourly
- Federal income tax$3,498
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,934
- Medicare (1.45%)$686
- Texas income tax$0
- Take-home pay$40,202
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 0.00% state
Pay by experience
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home (no state tax) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $28,790 | $13.84 | $25,313 |
| 25th percentile | $35,330 | $16.99 | $30,568 |
| Median (50th) | $47,320 | $22.75 | $40,202 |
| 75th percentile | $64,710 | $31.11 | $54,174 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $98,860 | $47.53 | $78,378 |
Best cities for coaches and scouts (after tax & cost of living)
| # | Metro area | Median | Take-home | Real value* | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New York, NY | $66,110 | $52,326 | $46,486 | 10,930 |
| 2 | Phoenix, AZ | $58,560 | $47,978 | $46,438 | 3,260 |
| 3 | Philadelphia, PA | $56,770 | $46,052 | $44,905 | 3,650 |
| 4 | Cleveland, OH | $48,500 | $40,598 | $43,225 | 2,730 |
| 5 | Columbus, OH | $48,490 | $40,591 | $42,517 | 2,900 |
| 6 | Boston, MA | $56,220 | $44,762 | $41,344 | 4,840 |
| 7 | Atlanta, GA | $49,750 | $40,195 | $40,172 | 2,810 |
| 8 | Chicago, IL | $50,350 | $40,289 | $38,891 | 6,780 |
| 9 | San Francisco, CA | $54,770 | $44,140 | $38,179 | 5,380 |
| 10 | Detroit, MI | $46,970 | $38,175 | $38,061 | 3,000 |
| 11 | Seattle, WA | $49,640 | $42,066 | $37,852 | 5,630 |
| 12 | Washington, DC | $50,680 | $41,027 | $37,679 | 4,350 |
| 13 | Tampa, FL | $43,600 | $37,213 | $36,884 | 2,560 |
| 14 | Minneapolis, MN | $46,620 | $37,964 | $36,217 | 3,390 |
| 15 | Portland, OR | $48,970 | $38,072 | $36,114 | 3,280 |
| 16 | Cincinnati, OH | $39,170 | $33,358 | $34,978 | 2,380 |
| 17 | Nashville, TN | $39,170 | $33,653 | $34,932 | 2,460 |
| 18 | Riverside, CA | $45,260 | $37,158 | $34,909 | 2,500 |
| 19 | Miami, FL | $46,710 | $39,711 | $34,787 | 4,560 |
| 20 | San Diego, CA | $47,230 | $38,632 | $34,528 | 2,890 |
| 21 | Los Angeles, CA | $47,450 | $38,793 | $34,159 | 10,850 |
| 22 | St. Louis, MO | $37,970 | $31,842 | $33,486 | 2,360 |
| 23 | Houston, TX | $36,330 | $31,371 | $31,807 | 3,990 |
| 24 | Dallas, TX | $37,320 | $32,167 | $31,202 | 4,560 |
| 25 | Orlando, FL | $32,280 | $28,117 | $27,724 | 2,550 |
*Take-home pay in U.S.-average dollars (BEA Regional Price Parities).
Highest-paying cities
- New York, NY — $66,110
- Phoenix, AZ — $58,560
- Philadelphia, PA — $56,770
- Boston, MA — $56,220
- San Francisco, CA — $54,770
- Washington, DC — $50,680
- Chicago, IL — $50,350
- Atlanta, GA — $49,750
- Seattle, WA — $49,640
- Portland, OR — $48,970
- Cleveland, OH — $48,500
- Columbus, OH — $48,490
- Los Angeles, CA — $47,450
- San Diego, CA — $47,230
- Detroit, MI — $46,970
Coach and Scout salary by state
| State | Median | 1-yr change | Take-home | Range | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Jersey | $76,700 | +27.1% | $60,093 | $39,720 – $121,960 | 5,670 |
| District of Columbia | $65,360 | +9.4% | $51,895 | $36,400 – $136,000 | 630 |
| Louisiana | $60,960 | +16.6% | $49,719 | $23,310 – $194,130 | 2,550 |
| Vermont | $59,990 | +18.9% | $48,806 | $37,240 – $102,800 | 630 |
| New York | $59,920 | +19.3% | $47,687 | $34,890 – $104,000 | 11,220 |
| Hawaii | $55,860 | +14.9% | $44,348 | $37,040 – $116,120 | 760 |
| Massachusetts | $55,130 | +14.3% | $43,940 | $35,940 – $109,380 | 6,310 |
| Connecticut | $54,790 | +2.9% | $44,663 | $34,010 – $105,170 | 4,070 |
| Rhode Island | $53,630 | +9.2% | $43,877 | $34,580 – $101,000 | 1,170 |
| Arizona | $53,130 | +11.9% | $43,750 | $36,880 – $99,850 | 4,120 |
| West Virginia | $52,050 | +3.6% | $42,390 | $31,040 – $101,530 | 910 |
| New Hampshire | $51,490 | +2.7% | $43,552 | $31,540 – $102,550 | 870 |
| Nevada | $51,020 | +6.4% | $43,175 | $25,410 – $105,920 | 2,390 |
| Maryland | $50,590 | −14.9% | $40,790 | $32,820 – $110,620 | 3,960 |
| New Mexico | $49,980 | +32.4% | $41,156 | $32,660 – $111,220 | 590 |
| Wyoming | $49,420 | −18.5% | $41,889 | $26,900 – $108,220 | 470 |
| Iowa | $49,350 | +20.7% | $40,609 | $19,010 – $97,980 | 3,410 |
| Illinois | $49,120 | +7.0% | $39,361 | $31,200 – $122,720 | 8,840 |
| Oregon | $48,960 | +0.2% | $38,065 | $34,860 – $101,140 | 3,930 |
| Pennsylvania | $48,730 | +2.5% | $39,839 | $21,170 – $119,060 | 8,170 |
| Georgia | $48,210 | +22.4% | $39,037 | $27,190 – $80,900 | 4,510 |
| Minnesota | $48,050 | +1.9% | $39,036 | $29,480 – $87,910 | 4,680 |
| Washington | $48,030 | +1.5% | $40,772 | $37,180 – $85,590 | 11,790 |
| Montana | $48,020 | +25.9% | $39,264 | $22,530 – $79,000 | 990 |
| Nebraska | $47,810 | −3.4% | $39,300 | $28,940 – $94,920 | 1,180 |
| California | $47,660 | +3.3% | $38,946 | $35,920 – $92,150 | 31,150 |
| Colorado | $47,110 | −0.8% | $38,668 | $31,990 – $86,950 | 4,120 |
| Michigan | $47,050 | +6.4% | $38,236 | $25,960 – $101,970 | 7,910 |
| Idaho | $46,600 | −0.6% | $38,262 | $28,240 – $98,020 | 1,410 |
| Ohio | $46,530 | +20.9% | $39,070 | $28,280 – $81,760 | 13,150 |
| Virginia | $46,290 | +2.0% | $37,526 | $25,810 – $84,680 | 6,810 |
| Utah | $45,680 | +14.4% | $37,794 | $23,330 – $95,000 | 2,940 |
| Delaware | $45,200 | +13.3% | $36,666 | $31,800 – $93,320 | 600 |
| Wisconsin | $44,800 | +7.2% | $36,987 | $28,010 – $76,370 | 5,480 |
| Indiana | $44,480 | +21.1% | $36,637 | $25,270 – $100,180 | 5,960 |
| North Carolina | $43,840 | +5.5% | $36,165 | $25,130 – $87,060 | 8,530 |
| Maine | $43,640 | −11.2% | $35,481 | $31,270 – $102,780 | 1,060 |
| South Carolina | $42,950 | −8.1% | $35,270 | $17,880 – $103,010 | 3,310 |
| Kansas | $42,900 | +7.1% | $35,056 | $15,080 – $82,540 | 3,300 |
| Missouri | $42,790 | −2.3% | $35,488 | $28,910 – $79,480 | 4,730 |
| Alaska | $41,170 | +13.7% | $35,260 | $30,150 – $68,840 | 350 |
| Oklahoma | $41,160 | −1.1% | $33,945 | $19,450 – $105,980 | 2,420 |
| Florida | $39,370 | −15.7% | $33,814 | $29,830 – $90,000 | 18,120 |
| Arkansas | $38,930 | −7.9% | $32,155 | $25,720 – $78,010 | 2,070 |
| Tennessee | $37,780 | +0.9% | $32,536 | $22,990 – $81,080 | 6,250 |
| North Dakota | $37,100 | +3.2% | $31,990 | $24,330 – $75,210 | 1,180 |
| Texas | $36,510 | +1.2% | $31,516 | $22,340 – $78,720 | 15,300 |
| South Dakota | $36,360 | +5.6% | $31,395 | $28,270 – $64,280 | 1,290 |
| Kentucky | $35,570 | −2.3% | $29,633 | $21,810 – $75,710 | 2,800 |
Related jobs
| Job | Median salary | Education | Growth 2025–35 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Umpires, Referees, and Other Sports Officials | $40,710 | High school diploma or equivalent | +5.2% |
| Athlete and Sports Competitor | $66,710 | No formal educational credential | +5.5% |
| Choreographer | $55,310 | High school diploma or equivalent | +3.1% |
| Music Director and Composer | $73,710 | Bachelor's degree | +1.2% |
| Producer and Director | $90,360 | Bachelor's degree | +4.0% |
| Broadcast Announcer and Radio Disc Jockey | $47,340 | Bachelor's degree | -7.6% |
| Craft Artist | $46,080 | No formal educational credential | +2.0% |
| Photographer | $44,660 | High school diploma or equivalent | -0.7% |
| Merchandise Displayer and Window Trimmer | $39,390 | High school diploma or equivalent | +2.7% |
| Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators | $55,490 | Bachelor's degree | -2.9% |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a coach and scout make?
The national median salary for coaches and scouts is $47,320 a year ($22.75 an hour). The lowest-paid 10% earn under $28,790 and the top 10% earn over $98,860. Source: BLS, May 2025.
Which state pays coaches and scouts the most?
New Jersey has the highest median pay at $76,700. After taxes and local prices, New York, NY offers the best real take-home pay of any metro area.
How many coaches and scouts are there in the U.S.?
About 248,950 people work as coaches and scouts nationwide.