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Health and Wellness Coach, Motivational Coach, Personal Coach, Wellness Coach
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
*This NOC group is considered similar to the Health Coach occupation. Because this occupation is only similar to the NOC group, related details and labour market information may not be accurate.
Health coaches help in disease prevention and health promotion. They tailor their approach to meet the unique needs and goals of each client. They employ strategies such as goal setting, action planning, motivational interviewing, and mindfulness techniques.
Health coaches work with a wide range of clients who have a diverse range of health and wellness goals. Clients include those who:
In general, health coaches:
Some health coaches develop, oversee, or deliver corporate employee wellness programs or health-related training courses.
Health coaches are not considered health professionals as defined in the Health Professions Act [pdf]. They must not provide services that are restricted to those professions.
Health coaches work in a variety of settings from in-person to virtual meetings. Hours of work vary and may include evenings and weekends.
In general, health coaches have many clients. They provide one-on-one services and schedule private or group sessions. They may provide coaching sessions on a one-time or ongoing basis.
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.
*This data is for a NOC group that is similar to the Health Coach occupation.
Interest in consulting with social assistance recipients and pensioners to advise and aid them in locating and utitizing a variety of community resources; in referring clients to other social services; in counselling clients living in group homes and halfway houses and assisting in pre-release and release planning; in providing crisis intervention and emergency-shelter services; and in co-ordinating volunteer activities of community and social services organizations
Interest in compiling information to participate in the selection and admission of clients to appropriate programs; to assess clients' relevant skill strengths and deficits; and in maintaining contact with other social service agencies and health care providers involved with clients to provide information and obtain feedback on clients' overall progress
Interest in assisting clients to sort out options and develop plans of action, and in implementing and organizing the delivery of life-skills workshops, substance-abuse treatment programs, behaviour management programs, youth services programs and other community and social service programs under the supervision of social workers and health care professionals
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.
Health coaches need:
They should enjoy:
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 data is for a NOC group that is similar to the Health Coach occupation.
This chart shows which job skills are currently in highest demand for this occupational group. It was created using this occupation's 261 most recent Alberta job postings, collected between Dec 29, 2023 and Dec 21, 2024.
Review these skills to learn:
| Construction Specialization: Excellent oral communication | 198 |
|---|---|
| Construction Specialization: Client focus | 196 |
| Construction Specialization: Excellent written communication | 192 |
| Security and Safety: Criminal record check | 190 |
| Construction Specialization: Judgement | 183 |
| Construction Specialization: Effective interpersonal skills | 175 |
| Construction Specialization: Flexibility | 173 |
| Construction Specialization: Team player | 163 |
| Construction Specialization: Initiative | 163 |
| Tasks: Administrative and office activities | 160 |
Most emerging occupations develop from more than one occupation. People working in this occupation may come from a variety of education and training backgrounds. Before enrolling in an education program, prospective students should contact associations and employers in this field to investigate education options and employment possibilities.
Most health coaches have a background in more than 1 field. They need to know about:
Educational requirements for health coaches vary based on the employer. Some employers prefer to hire coaches with related work experience. Others seek candidates with knowledge of biological and behavioural sciences.
To expand or narrow your program options, visit Post-Secondary Programs and start your search with:
*This data is for a NOC group that is similar to the Health Coach occupation.
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 there is currently no provincial legislation regulating this occupation. However, individuals serious about setting up and maintaining a coaching business may pursue credentials through the International Coaching Federation (ICF). Designations include:
Other organizations with certification programs include:
Registration with these organizations is voluntary. To learn about registration requirements, visit the organization’s website.
Emerging occupations typically are the result of:
Often there are too few people working in an emerging occupation to gather survey information. Therefore, it can be difficult to define advancement opportunities or employment outlook. Some Albertans already are working in this emerging occupation, but future demand for it is unknown.
Health coaches may be self-employed or work for:
Health coaches can be hired as contractors or employees. Employees can advance to become supervisors or managers. More education and experience in counselling can improve prospects for advancement.
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.
Social and community service workers
2016 NOC: 4212*
77.9% of people in this occupational group work in:
*This data is for a NOC group that is similar to the Health Coach occupation.
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.
*This data is for a NOC group that is similar to the Health Coach occupation.
Source: 2023-2025 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:
Explore emerging workplace trends in Alberta that could affect this occupation.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.
*This data is for a NOC group that is similar to the Health Coach occupation.
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.
Often there are too few people working in an emerging occupation to gather survey information. Therefore, no current provincial salary data is available for this occupation.
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 data is for a NOC group that is similar to the Health Coach occupation.
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.
Good Reliability, represents a CV of between 6.01% and 15.00% and/or fewer than 30 survey observations and/or if survey observations represent less than 50% of all estimated employment for the occupation.
| Wages* | Low (5th percentile) | High (95th percentile) | Average | Median |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting | $15.00 | $35.54 | $21.05 | $18.00 |
| Overall | $15.84 | $45.60 | $23.98 | $20.20 |
| Top | $18.00 | $47.29 | $26.99 | $23.69 |
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 | $41,099 |
|---|---|
| Information, Culture, Recreation | $30,032 |
| Finance, Insurance, Real Estate, Leasing | $54,052 |
| Educational Services | $47,662 |
| Health Care & Social Assistance | $33,510 |
| Other Services (Repair, Personal Services and Related) | $34,430 |
| Public Administration | $74,372 |
American College of Lifestyle Medicine (ACLM) website: lifestylemedicine.org
International Coaching Federation (ICF) website: coachingfederation.org
International Coaching Federation (ICF) Calgary Chapter: icfcalgarychapter.com
International Coaching Federation (ICF) Edmonton Chapter: icfedmonton.com
National Board for Health & Wellness Coaching (NBHWC) website: nbhwc.org
Get information and referrals about career, education, and employment options from Alberta Supports.
Updated Mar 31, 2024. 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.
