How to become a Coach or Scout

Official title: Coaches and Scouts

Also called: Baseball Coach, Basketball Coach, Coach, Cross Country Coach, Football Coach, Gymnastics Coach, Soccer Coach, Softball Coach, Track and Field Coach, Volleyball Coach

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.

Main 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.
• Monitor the academic eligibility of student athletes.
• Counsel student athletes on academic, athletic, and personal issues.
• Analyze the strengths and weaknesses of opposing teams to develop game strategies.

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.

Typical education to start: Bachelor's degree

Read the full guide from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Ways in

• College: Education & Teaching degrees, Offered by 35 universities in the US
• Licence: A licence is required in 9 states.

Pay · Outlook · AI and this job

• Median pay: $47,320 a year The middle half earn $35,330 to $64,710.
• About 298,800 people work in this job now, and about 316,900 are projected by 2035. (+6.1%)
• People already use generative AI for some of this work. Microsoft Research rates its AI applicability as medium.

Related jobs

• Umpires, Referees, and Other Sports Officials
• Athletes and Sports Competitors
• Actors
• Producers and Directors
• Dancers
• Media Programming Directors

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Questions people ask

How do I 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.

How much does a Coach or Scout earn in the US?

Median full-time pay is $47,320 a year (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). The middle half earn $35,330 to $64,710.

Is a Coach or Scout a growing career in the US?

Yes. Employment is projected to grow 6% by 2035, from about 298,800 to about 316,900 people (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics).

Do you need a degree to become a Coach or Scout?

Usually. 71% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Will AI change the work of a Coach or Scout?

People already use generative AI for some of this work. Microsoft Research rates its AI applicability as medium.

Sources

• Microsoft Research: Working with AI: AI applicability by occupation (2025-12-22 (built on O*NET 29.0)), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-03
• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Employment Projections (2025-35 (released 2026-08-27)), Public domain (BLS), retrieved 2026-10-03
• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Outlook Handbook (2025-35 edition (published 2026-08-27)), Public domain (BLS); photographs excluded, retrieved 2026-10-03
• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Public domain (BLS), retrieved 2026-10-03

Updated 2026-10-03

This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.