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Emerging Occupations

Health Coach

Health coaches help clients who are working toward specific goals to become healthier or maintain a healthy lifestyle. Their clients may have chronic or preventable diseases such as obesity or diabetes. They also work with anyone who wants to improve any aspect of their health.

This is an emerging occupation. It may have evolved from an existing occupation in response to consumer needs or technological advances.

Also Known As

Health and Wellness Coach, Motivational Coach, Personal Coach, Wellness Coach

NOC Codes

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

  • 4212: Community and Social Service Workers*

2006 NOC-S

  • E212: Community and Social Service Workers*

2011 NOC

  • 4212: Social and community service workers*

2016 NOC

  • 4212: Social and community service workers*

2021 NOC

  • 42201: Social and community service workers*

2023 OaSIS

  • 42201.00: Social and community service workers*

*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.

Duties
Updated Mar 31, 2024

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:

  • Have chronic conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, obesity, or hypertension
  • Have specific dietary needs such as food allergies
  • Are interested in preventive health measures to reduce the risk of disease
  • Are amateur or professional athletes or fitness enthusiasts
  • Seek lifestyle changes to reduce stress, manage their weight, or improve mental wellness
  • Seek personal development, self-care, or empowerment
  • Have an interest in alternative or complementary approaches to health and wellness

In general, health coaches:

  • Coach clients to be active and accountable for their personal health
  • Direct clients to find what they need in the health-care system
  • Develop customized health plans
  • Support, guide, and motivate clients
  • Help clients adjust to change by providing emotional support for coping with illness and encouraging healthy behaviours
  • Develop and deliver wellness seminars
  • Identify and provide ideas for client self-care
  • Make referrals to targeted resources
  • Provide follow up

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.

Working Conditions
Updated Mar 31, 2024
  • Strength Required Strength requirements vary

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.

Interests & Abilities

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.

Community and Social Service Workers*

2006 NOC: 4212

*This data is for a NOC group that is similar to the Health Coach occupation.

Interest Codes

Interest Codes for This NOC Group
SOCIAL

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

METHODICAL

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

innovative

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

Your Interest Codes

To identify or change your interest codes, complete the Interests Exercise in CAREERinsite.

Reading Interest Codes
A Quick Guide

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.

Learn About Interests

Abilities

Typical ability expectations for this NOC group
Your abilities

To fill in or change the values for your abilities, complete the Abilities Exercise in CAREERinsite.

Mental Abilities

General Learning Ability

Verbal Ability

Numerical Ability

Visual Abilities

Spatial Perception

Form Perception

Clerical Perception

Physical Abilities

Motor Coordination

Finger Dexterity

Manual Dexterity

Understanding Abilities

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.

Learn About Abilities

Traits & Skills
Updated Mar 31, 2024

Health coaches need:

  • Emotional maturity and a healthy lifestyle
  • Self-confidence
  • Honesty, patience, and empathy
  • Communication skills, especially active listening
  • Organizational skills
  • The ability to motivate and encourage people
  • The ability to think quickly and adapt to unexpected change

They should enjoy:

  • A healthy lifestyle
  • Coming up with new ways to promote good health
  • Helping others achieve health goals

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.

Top 10 Skills Employers Are Looking For

Social and community service workers*

2016 NOC: 4212

*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 229 most recent Alberta job postings, collected between Dec 29, 2023 and Oct 04, 2024.

Review these skills to learn:

  • Whether or not this occupation matches your skill set
  • What training you may need to get these skills
  • What skills to highlight in your resumé, cover letter, and interview.
Excellent oral communication
Client focus
Excellent written communication
Security and Safety: Criminal record check
Judgement
Effective interpersonal skills
Flexibility
Team player
Tasks: Administrative and office activities
Initiative
Educational Requirements
Updated Mar 31, 2024
  • Minimum Education Varies

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:

  • Goal setting
  • Nutrition
  • Mental-health care, such as stress reduction
  • Basic behavioural psychology, such as an understanding of behavioural cycles like contemplation, preparation, action, maintenance, and relapse
  • Motivational techniques
  • Physical fitness
  • Common ailments, such as diabetes and high blood pressure, and related treatments

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 Requirements
Updated Mar 31, 2024
  • Certification Not Regulated

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:

  • Associate Certified Coach (ACC)
  • Professional Certified Coach (PCC)
  • Master Certified Coach (MCC)

Other organizations with certification programs include:

Registration with these organizations is voluntary. To learn about registration requirements, visit the organization’s website.

Employment & Advancement
Updated Mar 31, 2024

Emerging occupations typically are the result of:

  • An increased human need
  • Technological advances
  • Greater specialization within an occupation

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:

  • Private companies that offer employee or corporate wellness services
  • Health insurers
  • Social service agencies
  • Human resources management departments

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.

Industry Concentration

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.

3-Year Job Market Forecast

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.

Social and community service workers*
2021 NOC: 42201
Medium
Demand
13,200
Employed

*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.

5-Year Job Market Forecast

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:

  • Time of year (for seasonal jobs)
  • Location in Alberta
  • Employment turnover (when people leave existing positions)
  • Occupational growth (when new positions are created)
  • Size of the occupation
  • Trends and events that affect overall employment

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.

Social and community service workers*
2016 NOC: 4212
2.0%
Annual Growth
(Below Average)
336
New Positions

*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.

Related Alberta Job Postings
Wage & Salary
Updated Mar 31, 2024

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.

Social and community service workers*

2016 NOC: 4212

*This data is for a NOC group that is similar to the Health Coach occupation.

Average Wage
$23.98
Per Hour
Average Salary
$41,099.00
Per Year
Average Hours
32
Per Week
Average Months on Payroll
12
Survey Methodology Survey Analysis

Source
2021 Alberta Wage and Salary Survey

NOC 4212 Wage Profile

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.

B: Good Reliability
Data Reliability Code Definition

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.


Hourly Wage

For full-time and part-time employees
  • Low
  • High
  • Average
  • Median
Starting
Overall
Top

Hourly Wage

For full-time and part-time employees
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

  • Starting pay: average pay offered for entry-level positions
  • Overall pay: average pay across all employees in this occupation
  • Top pay: average pay offered to top-paid employees

Industry Information

ALL INDUSTRIES
Information, Culture, Recreation
Finance, Insurance, Real Estate, Leasing
Educational Services
Health Care & Social Assistance
Other Services (Repair, Personal Services and Related)
Public Administration

Skills Shortage

Employers that Recruited in the Last 2 Years
55%
55%)
Recruiting Employers that Experienced Hiring Difficulties
20%
20%
Employers with Unfilled Vacancies of over 4 Months
8%
8%
Vacancy Rate
10%
Related Post-Secondary Field of Study
  • Health Care and Medical Sciences
  • Human Ecology, Fashion and Food Sciences
  • Physical Education and Recreation
  • Social Sciences, Law and Religious Studies
  • Social, Community and Protective Services
Other Sources of Information
Updated Mar 31, 2024

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.

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