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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.
2006 NOC
2006 NOC-S
2011 NOC
2016 NOC
2021 NOC
2023 OaSIS
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.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2006 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
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
To identify or change your interest codes, complete the Interests Exercise in CAREERinsite.
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 for this NOC group 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.
To fill in or change the values for your abilities, complete the Abilities Exercise in CAREERinsite.
A Quick Guide
You are born with abilities that help you process certain types of information and turn it into action. These abilities influence which skills you can learn more easily.
The abilities or aptitudes shown for this NOC group come from the General Aptitude Test Battery (GATB). The GATB measures 9 aptitudes. It groups them into 3 categories: mental, visual, and physical.
The abilities scores range from 1 to 5, with 5 being stronger.
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.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
This chart shows which job skills are currently in highest demand for this occupational group. It was created using this occupation's 105 most recent Alberta job postings, collected between May 29, 2022 and Jun 30, 2025.
Review these skills to learn:
| Tasks: Motivate and prepare athletes or teams for competitive events or games | 92 |
|---|---|
| Tasks: Plan, develop and implement training and practice sessions | 86 |
| Tasks: Analyze and evaluate athletes' or team's performance | 83 |
| Tasks: Observe and evaluate prospective athletes' skills and performance | 81 |
| Construction Specialization: Effective interpersonal skills | 63 |
| Construction Specialization: Team player | 62 |
| Construction Specialization: Reliability | 59 |
| Tasks: Participate in coaching clinic instruction | 54 |
| Construction Specialization: Values and ethics | 53 |
| Construction Specialization: Flexibility | 49 |
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.
To expand or narrow your program options, visit Post-Secondary Programs and start your search with:
Completing a program does not guarantee entrance into an occupation. Before enrolling in an education program, prospective students should look into various sources for education options and employment possibilities. For example, contact associations and employers in this field.
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.
Source: 2021-2025 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook
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.
This section shows the industries where the majority of people in this occupation work. The data is based on the 2016 Census.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.
Coaches
2016 NOC: 5252
89.4% of people in this occupational group work in:
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 examples, see Note.
This section shows the short-term demand forecasted for this occupation in Alberta over a 3-year period. It also shows the number of people employed in the occupation.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2021 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.
Source: 2024-2026 Alberta Short-Term Employment Forecast
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 examples, see Note.
To see data for all occupations, visit Occupations in Demand.
This section shows the employment outlook for this occupation in Alberta over a 5-year period.
Employment outlook is influenced by a wide variety of factors including:
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.
Source: 2021-2025 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook
Annual growth is from 2021 to 2025. New positions created each year are in addition to job openings created by employment turnover.
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 examples, see Note.
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.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2021 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
Unless otherwise noted, the data shown here is for all industries and all regions in Alberta.
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.
To see the full survey data for this NOC group, visit the wage profile.
Other wage sources
To make an informed wage and salary decision, research other wage sources [pdf] to supplement this data.
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.
| Wages* | Low (5th percentile) | High (95th percentile) | Average | Median |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting | $15.00 | $24.92 | $16.86 | $16.00 |
| Overall | $16.00 | $34.29 | $21.58 | $20.00 |
| Top | $25.00 | $85.58 | $41.41 | $30.25 |
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.
Pay brackets for hourly wages
| ALL INDUSTRIES | $23,516 |
|---|---|
| Information, Culture, Recreation | $15,941 |
| Educational Services | $21,961 |
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.
