The International Coach Federation (ICF) did a survey of coaches around
the world in 2006. The survey was completed by 5,415 coaches from 73 countries.
It found that the average salary was $50,510. Full-time coaches averaged $82,671.
Part-time coaches averaged $26,150.
"My understanding of the industry is that it takes a couple years for new
coaches to create full-time work for themselves, so the average income for
someone new to the industry would very likely be in the $30,000 range for
the first few years," says Jeannette Maw. She runs her own coaching business
called Good Vibe Coaching.
According to the ICF, there are 30,000 coaches worldwide. Of those, about
15,000 work in the United States.
"I think the trend to greater awareness in the corporate world, to viewing
their human resources as assets, is one trend that positively affects the
future of coaching. There has been a trend for the corporate world to put
more emphasis on 'soft' skills," says life coach Beth Garrish. She adds that
the trend of aging baby boomers looking for more meaning and purpose in their
lives will positively affect coaches.
Coaching is a new career. Awareness of coaching is rising along with demand.
Coaches working with corporate clients make more money than those working
with individuals.
Corporate coaching is usually face-to-face. Coaching individuals is usually
done by phone.
"As more people learn the benefits of hiring a coach, and recognize that
it isn't just high-paid CEOs who work with coaches, the demand for coaching
services will only increase," says Maw.
Life coach Ally Wieser predicts a slow and steady outlook for coaches.
"In the near-term, I feel we have a ways to go before we see mass adoption
of coaching. Longer term, I feel there is real opportunity for this field
to take off," she says.
Earnings and employment information from the U.S. Department of Labor is
not available for this field at this time.