How much does a coach and scout make?
The median coach and scout in the United States earns $47,320 per year. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all coaches and scouts earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 27-2022.
Coach and scout salary range
Pay for coaches and scouts spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $28,790 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $98,860. The average (mean) wage of $60,160 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $28,790 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $35,330 | |
| Median (50th) | $47,320 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $64,710 | |
| 90th percentile | $98,860 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for coaches and scouts (SOC 27-2022), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Coach and scout salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Coaches and scouts earn the most in New Jersey at $76,700 a year, and the least in Kentucky at $35,570. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey | $76,700 | 5,670 |
| District of Columbia | $65,360 | 630 |
| Louisiana | $60,960 | 2,550 |
| Vermont | $59,990 | 630 |
| New York | $59,920 | 11,220 |
| Hawaii | $55,860 | 760 |
| Massachusetts | $55,130 | 6,310 |
| Connecticut | $54,790 | 4,070 |
| Rhode Island | $53,630 | 1,170 |
| Arizona | $53,130 | 4,120 |
| West Virginia | $52,050 | 910 |
| New Hampshire | $51,490 | 870 |
| Nevada | $51,020 | 2,390 |
| Maryland | $50,590 | 3,960 |
| New Mexico | $49,980 | 590 |
| Wyoming | $49,420 | 470 |
| Iowa | $49,350 | 3,410 |
| Illinois | $49,120 | 8,840 |
| Oregon | $48,960 | 3,930 |
| Pennsylvania | $48,730 | 8,170 |
| Georgia | $48,210 | 4,510 |
| Minnesota | $48,050 | 4,680 |
| Washington | $48,030 | 11,790 |
| Montana | $48,020 | 990 |
| Nebraska | $47,810 | 1,180 |
| California | $47,660 | 31,150 |
| Colorado | $47,110 | 4,120 |
| Michigan | $47,050 | 7,910 |
| Idaho | $46,600 | 1,410 |
| Ohio | $46,530 | 13,150 |
| Virginia | $46,290 | 6,810 |
| Utah | $45,680 | 2,940 |
| Delaware | $45,200 | 600 |
| Wisconsin | $44,800 | 5,480 |
| Indiana | $44,480 | 5,960 |
| North Carolina | $43,840 | 8,530 |
| Maine | $43,640 | 1,060 |
| South Carolina | $42,950 | 3,310 |
| Kansas | $42,900 | 3,300 |
| Missouri | $42,790 | 4,730 |
| Alaska | $41,170 | 350 |
| Oklahoma | $41,160 | 2,420 |
| Florida | $39,370 | 18,120 |
| Arkansas | $38,930 | 2,070 |
| Tennessee | $37,780 | 6,250 |
| North Dakota | $37,100 | 1,180 |
| Texas | $36,510 | 15,300 |
| South Dakota | $36,360 | 1,290 |
| Kentucky | $35,570 | 2,800 |
State median wages for coaches and scouts (SOC 27-2022), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2025. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for coaches and scouts
The BLS projects employment of coaches and scouts to grow 6.1% from 2025 to 2035. That is faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 298,800 jobs in 2025 moving toward 316,900 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 36,400 openings a year for coaches and scouts. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a coach and scout
The typical entry-level education for coaches and scouts is a bachelor's degree, according to the BLS.
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a coach and scout earns
Employer, market size, reputation, and whether the work is staff or freelance drive a wide pay spread. A small group of top earners pulls the high end of this field well up.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (New Jersey, $76,700) and the lowest (Kentucky, $35,570) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 248,950 people work as coaches and scouts in the United States. At $47,320 a year, the job pays below the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Coach and scout salary FAQ
How much does a coach and scout make an hour?
Coaches and scouts are generally salaried rather than paid by the hour, so the BLS does not publish an hourly wage for this job. The median annual salary is $47,320.
What is the highest coach and scout salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of coaches and scouts earn more than $98,860 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a coach and scout make a year?
The median annual salary for a coach and scout is $47,320. The average (mean) wage of $60,160 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being a coach and scout a well paid job?
At $47,320 a year, a coach and scout earns below the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 248,950 people work as coaches and scouts in the United States.
Which state pays coaches and scouts the most?
New Jersey has the highest median salary for coaches and scouts at $76,700 a year. District of Columbia ($65,360) and Louisiana ($60,960) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being a coach and scout a good career?
Employment of coaches and scouts is projected to grow 6.1% from 2025 to 2035, faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 36,400 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a coach and scout?
The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for coaches and scouts as a bachelor's degree, so a college degree is usually expected.
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