Top Skills for This Career
BLS identifies these as the three highest-rated skills for this detailed occupation. TrustInEd adds the plain-language explanations so visitors understand what each skill means.
Adjusting effectively when priorities, conditions, tools, or expectations change.
Communicating clearly through speech while listening carefully to understand others.
Working effectively with people by building relationships, understanding others, and responding appropriately.
How Do You Prepare for This Career?
BLS describes the typical preparation for this occupation. Requirements can vary by employer, state, licensing rules and individual circumstances.
How to Become One
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. PayThe median annual wage for coaches and scouts was $47,320 in May 2025. Job Outlook Employment of coaches and scouts is projected to grow 6 percent from 2025 to 2035, faster than the average for all occupations. About 36,400 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.
Your Next Step
Compare colleges and education options that can support the typical entry-level education for this career.
Pay
The median annual wage for coaches and scouts was $47,320 in May 2025. Job Outlook Employment of coaches and scouts is projected to grow 6 percent from 2025 to 2035, faster than the average for all occupations. About 36,400 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.
Job Outlook
Employment of coaches and scouts is projected to grow 6 percent from 2025 to 2035, faster than the average for all occupations. About 36,400 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 They 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 $47,320 in May 2025.
Job Outlook
Employment of coaches and scouts is projected to grow 6 percent from 2025 to 2035, faster than the average for all occupations.
About 36,400 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.
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 $47,320 in May 2025.
Job Outlook
Employment of coaches and scouts is projected to grow 6 percent from 2025 to 2035, faster than the average for all occupations.
About 36,400 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.
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.
More Information
Learn more about coaches and scouts by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
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Start with ED →Career data and occupational profile text are sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook and Employment Projections program. Education requirements are typical entry-level requirements and may vary by employer, state, occupation or individual circumstance. View the official BLS profile.