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Athletic Coach, Educator, Instructor, Professional Coach, Teacher
In Canada, the federal government groups and organizes occupations based on a National Occupational Classification (NOC) system. This alis occupation may not reflect the entire NOC group it is part of. Data for the NOC group can apply across multiple occupations.
The NOC system is updated every 5 years to reflect changes in the labour market. Government forms and labour market data may group and refer to an occupation differently, depending on the system used. Here is how this occupation has been classified over time:
| Starting | $16.39 |
|---|---|
| Overall | $19.31 |
| Top | $27.87 |
Interest in co-ordinating information to develop, plan and organize competitive schedules and programs; and in developing game plans and in directing athletes and players during athletic events
Interest in instructing athletes; and in nurturing and developing athletes' potential skills and abilities, and in motivating and preparing athletes and teams for competitive events
Interest in analyzing and evaluating athletic and team performance; and in modifying training programs
The interest code helps you figure out if you’d like to work in a particular occupation.
It’s based on the Canadian Work Preference Inventory (CWPI), which measures 5 occupational interests: Directive, Innovative, Methodical, Objective and Social.
Each set of 3 interest codes is listed in order of importance.
A code in capital letters means it’s a strong fit for the occupation.
A code in all lowercase letters means the fit is weaker.
Coaches direct athletes’ physical and mental training. They conduct regular practices and develop strategies for competitions. Their duties and responsibilities vary depending on the sport and level of competition. However, in general, coaches:
During the pre-season, coaches:
During the season, coaches continue to direct fitness programs, conduct practices and analyze performance. They also:
In the off-season, coaches may:
In some sports, there is no off-season and coaches have year-round responsibilities.
Coaching can be a rigorous, high-pressure, demanding occupation. Coaches often face criticism from the public and media, particularly if their team or one of their athletes performs poorly. The stability of a coaching position often depends on the performance of the team or athlete. In professional sports, it can also depend on box office or gate receipts. In recent years, when a player has been caught using sport enhancements, responsibility has been placed on the coach as well as the player.
Coaches in paid positions often work long, irregular hours and travel extensively. They often work evenings, weekends and holidays, when games and competitions most often take place. Depending on the sport, they may work indoors or outdoors. When they work outdoors, they may sometimes work in adverse weather conditions.
Coaches need:
In addition, they should model an active lifestyle and ideally be physically fit. They need to be:
They should enjoy observing and assessing athletes’ skills, working with people and directing the work of others.
Coaches often are former athletes, especially at the professional level. Other requirements vary from one sport to another and from one level of a sport to another.
Most sport organizations have a formal screening process for coaches. In general, the preferred qualification is NCCP certification (see below) combined with a bachelor’s degree in physical education or kinesiology (for more information, see the Kinesiologist occupational profile). However, preferred qualifications vary a great deal. Prospective coaches are strongly advised to obtain detailed information from the pertinent provincial sport association or national sport federation.
The National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP) provides training and certification in 66 different sports. All types of coaches, from first time coaches to head coaches of national teams, can take the program. There are 3 streams and a total of 8 contexts, each with its own coaching requirements. Each sport identifies how many of the 8 contexts pertain to their sport.
Coaches of amateur teams (clubs, provincial, national or international) should become qualified through education and practical experience, and achieve minimum NCCP certification levels. Even volunteer coaches may need to attend specific clinics to earn coaching certification.
Coaches of university or college teams usually need a bachelor’s or master’s degree in physical education or kinesiology, with an emphasis on coaching. Their responsibilities often include teaching related post-secondary courses.
The following schools offer programs or courses that are related to this occupation but are not required to enter the field.
For a broad list of programs and courses that may be related to this occupation try searching using keywords.
Certification is not required, as no legislation currently regulates this occupation. However, various national or provincial sporting associations expect coaches to achieve and maintain Registered Coach status of Chartered Professional Coach (ChPC) designation. For details, see the Coaching Association of Canada (CAC) website.
Most coaches are volunteers. Those in paid positions usually work on a contract basis for:
Assistant coaches may become head coaches. Some go on to become general managers of athletic teams. Others take on coaching and general manager responsibilities at the same time. Coaches also may become professional sport scouts, sport program directors or administrators in provincial sport associations and national sport federations.
With a related degree, coaches can become teachers, sport administrators or coaching consultants. Some coaches work in public relations and marketing.
In Alberta, 83% of people employed as coaches work in the following industries:
The employment outlook [pdf] in this occupation is influenced by a wide variety of factors including:
In Alberta, the 5252: Coaches occupational group is expected to have a below-average annual growth of 1.6% from 2019 to 2023. In addition to job openings created by employment turnover, 39 new positions are forecasted to be created within this occupational group each year.
Note
NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For example, only some of the 39 new positions to be created will be for this occupation. It also applies to other data for the NOC group such as number of people employed.
Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.
Some volunteer coaches receive an honorarium. Coaches in paid positions often receive salaries based on their history of sporting achievements (as coaches or athletes) and the required certification level. Salaries vary greatly from one sport to another and from one level of sport to another.
| Wages* | Low (5th percentile) | High (95th percentile) | Average | Median |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting | $15.00 | $25.00 | $16.39 | $15.00 |
| Overall | $15.64 | $28.85 | $19.31 | $16.50 |
| Top | $20.00 | $60.00 | $27.87 | $24.00 |
Swipe left and right to view all data. Scroll left and right to view all data.
* All wage estimates are hourly except where otherwise indicated. Wages and salaries do not include overtime hours, tips, benefits, profit shares, bonuses (unrelated to production) and other forms of compensation.
Lower Reliability, represents a CV of between 15.01% and 33.00% and/or if fewer than 20 survey observations and/or if survey observations represent less than 33% of all estimated employment for the occupation.
| Educational Services | $16,802 |
|---|---|
| ALL INDUSTRIES | $12,121 |
| Information, Culture, Recreation | $9,423 |
Canadian Sport Institute - Calgary website: csicalgary.ca
Coaching Association of Canada (CAC) website: www.coach.ca
Edmonton Sport Council website: www.edmontonsport.com
Get information and referrals about career, education, and employment options from Alberta Supports.
Updated Mar 31, 2020. The information contained in this profile is current as of the dates shown. Salary, employment outlook, and educational program information may change without notice. It is advised that you confirm this information before making any career decisions.