Coaches and Scouts

Overview

Coaches and Scouts has a national median salary of $47,320 per year, with +6.1% projected job growth from 2025–2035. The Bureau of Labor Statistics lists a bachelor's degree as the typical education needed to enter this occupation.

Description

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.

Work Values

• Achievement
• Relationships
• Independence

Work Styles

Responsibilities

Tasks

• 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.

Work Activities

• Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships
• Making Decisions and Solving Problems
• Coaching and Developing Others
• Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work
• Developing and Building Teams
• Getting Information
• Judging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or People
• Scheduling Work and Activities
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
• Thinking Creatively

Detailed Work Activities

• Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
• Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
• Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.
• Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
• Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.
• Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
• Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.
• Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
• Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
• Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.

T-A-S-K

Technology, Abilities, Skills & Knowledge

Education

Education Levels of Current Workers

The Bureau of Labor Statistics lists a bachelor's degree as the typical education needed to enter this occupation. The chart below shows the highest level of education held by people already working in this field, ages 25 and older. It includes workers who earned more education than the job requires and workers who entered the field under earlier requirements, so the largest bar is not the entry requirement. For example, if someone finished a master's degree and then started working in this field, they are counted under “Master's degree” here, but the job itself typically asks for a bachelor's degree.

Certificates

Certifications applicable to Coaches and Scouts:

Video Resources