How to become a Coach
Official title: Coaches
Also called: Ski coach, Head coach, Luge coach, Swim coach, Hockey coach, Hockey scout, Soccer coach, Sports coach, Sports scout, Tennis coach, Bobsled coach, Cycling coach
Coaches prepare and train individual athletes or teams for competitive events. They are employed by national and provincial sports organizations, professional and amateur sports teams, sports clubs and universities or they may be self-employed. This unit group also includes sports scouts who identify and recruit athletes for professional sports teams. They are employed by professional sports organizations.
Main tasks
- Coaches
- Identify strengths and weaknesses of athletes or teams
- Plan, develop and implement training and practice sessions
- Nurture and develop athletes' potential skills and abilities
- Develop, plan and coordinate competitive schedules and programs
- Motivate and prepare athletes or teams for competitive events or games
- Formulate competitive strategies, develop game plans and direct athletes and players during games or athletic events
- Analyse and evaluate athletes' or teams' performances and modify training programs
How to become one
Coaches Completion of the National Coaching Certificate program is usually required for individual and team sports coaches in all sports. National Coaching Certificate Level 3 is usually required for provincial coaches. National Coaching Certificate Level 4 is usually required for coaches of national team athletes. A degree in physical education may be required. Experience in, and technical knowledge of, the sport is required. Sports scouts Experience in, and technical knowledge of, the sport is required.
Ways in
- University: Education & Teaching degrees, Offered by 16 universities in Canada
- University: Allied Health degrees, Offered by 9 universities in Canada
Pay · Outlook
- Median pay: $48,750 a year The middle half earn $35,100 to $64,682.
- About 13,300 people worked in this job in 2023, and about 15,000 are projected by 2033. (+12.8%)
- Projected labour market to 2033: balance.
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Questions people ask
How do I become a Coach?
Coaches Completion of the National Coaching Certificate program is usually required for individual and team sports coaches in all sports. National Coaching Certificate Level 3 is usually required for provincial coaches. National Coaching Certificate Level 4 is usually required for coaches of national team athletes. A degree in physical education may be required. Experience in, and technical knowledge of, the sport is required. Sports scouts Experience in, and technical knowledge of, the sport is required.
How much does a Coach earn in Canada?
Median full-time pay is $48,750 a year (Employment and Social Development Canada (Job Bank)). The middle half earn $35,100 to $64,682.
Is a Coach a growing career in Canada?
Yes. Employment is projected to grow 13% by 2033, from about 13,300 to about 15,000 people (Employment and Social Development Canada).
Do you need a degree to become a Coach?
Not always. 51% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Ways in include: Education & Teaching degrees; Allied Health degrees.
Sources
- Statistics Canada: Census 2021: employment by occupation, gender and education (98-10-0449) (2021 Census), Statistics Canada Open Licence, retrieved 2026-10-03
- Statistics Canada: National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021 (Version 1.0), Open Government Licence - Canada, retrieved 2026-10-03
- Employment and Social Development Canada: Canadian Occupational Projection System (COPS) (2024 to 2033), Open Government Licence - Canada, retrieved 2026-10-03
- Employment and Social Development Canada (Job Bank): Wages by occupation (2025 (revised 2025-11-19)), Open Government Licence - Canada, retrieved 2026-10-03
Updated 2026-10-03