What a coach should be paid based on experience and location

This pay is averaged, not what a new inexperienced coach should expect to make when starting this career.

Payment is also based solely on class coached, not additional responsibilities such as admin duties or personal training.

We are also breaking down our perceived value of continuing education based on research as well to help gym owners make educated decisions on how to compensate for coaches with additional knowledge.

If you are a gym owner looking to post a job on BarbellJobs and would like a closer look at your state or metro area, feel free to contact admin@barbelljobs.com, and we will be happy to help.

• Midwest
  $24.28 per class coached.
• Northeast
  $19.75 per class coached.
• Southeast
  $18 per class coached
• West
  $16.69 per class coached
• Southwest
  16.75 per class coached

Concerning continuing education, we propose that the monetary compensation for these additional skills on top of base pay (approved by the gym owner of what they hold as important) should be averaged out per hour in a way so that if the average coach leads classes 15 hours per week, coaching 780 hours per year, they should be able to recoup the cost of the class in 6 months.

While reading, remember this is suggested, it may vary significantly from the gym to gym and based on what the owner feels is of importance to them and their facility.

We have broken down the cost of CrossFit ® classes, OPEX, USAW, and American Strength Club, instead of listing the classes individually, we are listing them grouped and based on the cost of the course.

American Strength Club

• Powerlifting L1
  Click Here For Instant Access To Course
  $99 course ÷ 780 hours per year = $0.13 x 2= $0.26 per class coached
• Powerlifting L2
  $200 course ÷ 780 hours per year = $0.26 x 2= $0.52 per class coached

CrossFit®

• Anatomy
  $120 course ÷ 780 hours per year = $0.15 x 2= $0.30 per class coached

• Adaptive, Advanced Gymnastics, Aerobic Capacity, Flexibility, Jump Rope, Kettlebell, Running
  $349 course ÷ 780 hours per year = $0.45 x 2 = $0.90 per class coached

• Rowing, Strongman
  $395 course ÷ 780 hours per year = $0.51 x 2 = $0.90 per class coached
• Conjugate, Educators, Masters, Weightlifting, Weightlifting L2
  $595 course ÷ 780 hours per year = $0.76 x 2 = $1.52 per class coached
• CrossFit ® Level 2
  $1,000 course ÷ 780 hours per year = $1.28 x 2 = $2.56 per class coached

OPEX

• Airbike
  $50 course ÷ 780 hours per year = $0.06 x 2 = $0.12 per class coached
• Program Design
  $95 course ÷ 780 hours per year = $0.12 x 2 = $0.24 per class coached
• Mixed Model
  $995 course ÷ 780 hours per year = $1.28 x 2 = $2.56 per class coached
• CCP
  $4,500 course ÷ 780 hours per year = $5.77 x 2 = $11.54 per class coached

USAW

• Level 1
  $500 course ÷ 780 hours per year = $0.64 x 2 = $1.28 per class coached
• Level 2
  $500 course ÷ 780 hours per year = $0.64 x 2 = $1.28 per class coached

Further, we are giving an example of how to value the experience that can only be obtained in a specific setting that has great value to a gym owner and the knowledge of the coach. These may be different than how a gym owner feels based on their community and goals but will give a solid starting point when considering the monetary value of the experience.

CrossFit

• Regionals Athlete
  $5 per class coached.
  Having an athlete that has competed in the Regionals gives them an insight into the more competitive nature of the sport. They have experience in competing on a bigger stage, the stress that comes with it, preparing, peaking, the backroom coaching and can be a vital asset to your team if you have a community of competitive athletes.
• Games Athlete
  $10 per class coached
  Like above, the Games athletes have made it to the biggest stage in the sport and have experience and knowledge that can not be learned in a seminar or classroom.
• Former gym owner
  $8 per class coached
  We have listed this one because, as a former gym owner, the coach has experience in situations that the current gym owner may not have, including in dealing with interpersonal relationships, business situations, and more.

USAW

• National Competitor
  $4 per class coached
• USAW Club Owner
  $4 per class coached
• International Competitor
  $8 per class coached
• Olympic Competitor
  $10 per class coached

As mentioned, this is an outline based on data submitted to BarbellJobs, the posts made by gym owners in searching for coaches as well as outside research.

If you have a very specific skillset you are looking for in a coach, consider using a very targeted hiring process in Talent Acquisition Recruiting.