How Much Does a Life Coach Make? Salary Insights and Factors

Hey there, coach! Ever wonder, “How much does a life coach make?” Whether you’re just starting out or looking to grow your coaching business, understanding the financial landscape is crucial.

We’re here to dive deep into the dollars and cents of life coaching. In this blog post, we’re breaking down salary insights and factors that influence how much you can earn as a life coach. It’s time to turn your passion into a profitable venture!

And guess who’s guiding you through this journey? We’re Cass and Tee, the dynamic duo behind Lovely Impact, where we arm coaches like you with the tools you need to thrive. With our years of experience and a treasure trove of business insights, we’re excited to help you unlock your earning potential.

Ready to explore the possibilities? Let’s get started on shaping a thriving career in life coaching!

Average Life Coach Salaries

If we asked 100 life coaches “how much does a life coach make?” we’d get 100 different answers. 

No kidding!

With changes in experience, cost of living increases, geography, and upgrades in education, the average life coach salary is a moving target. 

The next best thing is to look at a snapshot in time.

How Much Does a Life Coach Make? National Averages and Insights

In 2020 the International Coaching Federation reported an annual average income of $62,500/year for life coaches. 

Don’t forget that’s a global calculation, friend. 

In the U.S. the average annual income for life coaching is $30k-42k according to ZipRecruiter. 

Glassdoor reports salaries higher at $51k-91k. Check those numbers here.

Salary Ranges

How much does a life coach make as a rookie AND how much does a life coach make as an expert? 

Let’s take a closer look!

By now you might have guessed that the MASSIVE range in salaries has to do with experience and a few other factors. 

If you’re just starting out, you won’t be making as much as someone who has more experience. Don’t worry. We all have to start somewhere!

As a rookie, you can expect to start out making somewhere around $48k to $55k annually. 

If you’re a life coach veteran around these parts, you can expect to make $78k to over $100k.

Not bad once you get into higher ranks.

With dedication, an attitude of life long learning, and clients results, you’ll definitely have enough dollars to pay your bills, take a few vacations even — and have plenty left over. 

Geographical Differences

Location is an important factor that influences life coaching salary. 

When you’re first poking around on Google looking for answers on salary, one question you might try typing in is “how much does a life coach make in *city.*”

Of course, choose a city you would love to live in. 

Why do that?

A small town with tumbleweeds, and one traffic light isn’t going to produce the clients you’re looking for, unfortunately. 

On the other hand, a big city with higher cost of living, a buzzing tech scene, lots of CEOs, and humming business can produce the gemstone clients you’re looking for and be generous to your wallet. 

Here are some cities bursting with life coaching potential:

• New York City, NY
• Seattle, WA
• Los Angeles, CA
• San Francisco, CA
• Phoenix, AZ
• Boston, MA
• Denver, CO
• Washington, D.C.
• Atlanta, Georgia

Let’s say you do live in a small quiet town — because you’re all about minimal traffic and wide open spaces — but your passion is life coaching. Your reach can still go far with the internet. 

If you’re not into relocating, use the powers of the internet to connect with more people and grow your bank account!

Factors Affecting How Much a Life Coach Makes

We’ve seen how geography plays a juicy part in salary expectations. But what other factors could affect your salary? Let’s take a peek into what makes you a high caliber life coach and boosts your earning potential. 

Education and Certifications

How much does a life coach make with relevant degrees that support your expertise?

We’re talkin’ degrees like: 

• Psychology
• Social work
• Human resources
• Business management
• Finances
• Nutrition

These can skyrocket your income!

For example, if you want to specialize in health and wellness and you have a degree in nutrition, you’ll have a brilliant foundation for your business and a leg up on the competition.

If you want to specialize in relationship coaching and you have a degree in social sciences and psychology, you’re practically a mind reader and will excel in your field. 

One more thing on education: How much does a life coach make with a certification vs without a certification?

While there’s no official governing body to certify life coaches, taking the initiative to get a certification for an accredited company will give you a bump up into the major leagues. 

Let’s think this one through: 

If you had to choose between a certified and non-certified life coach to help you shape your future, who would you choose? 

That’s right, coach! Certifications add to your authority and make a positive impact on your salary and marketability. Check out The Best Affordable Life Coach Certification in 2024.

Niche and Target Market

If you’re aiming high and shooting for the stars, which niche should you specialize in to make the most bank? I mean, how much does a life coach make FOR REAL chasing after *profitable* niches?

Should you forget your favorite niche just to make the cheddar?

We’re officially on the question of the century, friends.

First, a quick PSA. 

Don’t get caught up in trying to find a niche that will make it “easier” for you to make money. There’s no such thing. 

When you’re trying to answer the question, “How much does a life coach make in *insert niche*?” …

We totally understand you’re a hungry entrepreneur.

However, a successful and profitable coach operates with compassion, intelligence, and motivation to keep on learning. 

No specific niche guarantees you’ll be a millionaire. 

BUT, here’s a list — in no particular order — of some high powered niches to satisfy your curiosity:

• Career coaching
• Executive coaching
• Health and wellness coaching
• Relationship coaching
• Mindset coaching
• Weight loss coaching
• Financial coaching

Psst! Here’s a bonus secret for you! All niches are profitable. The key is putting in a little elbow grease and creating a client focused message to attract your ideal clients! 

Your ability to rake in the dough is defined by your skill and talent and what people want. So always be learning, and practicing. 

➡️ Our Niche Clarity Workbook is the perfect tool to help you define your niche and connect deeply with your dream clients, enhancing your brand’s impact every step of the way.

Years of Experience

The longer you stick with something, the more time you’ll have to chase the coattails of mastery — and get it. 

How much does a life coach make after being in the industry for a while?

Gaining years of experience is the most certain way to stack those Franklins because you’ll have helped a number and variety of clients. 

Eventually, you’ll learn where to invest your money to learn and improve yourself. 

Yes, coach — it takes money to MAKE money. So be prepared for that. You’ll also learn how to find clients. 

Getting clients is the crux of your business. With time, you’ll get better at it. 

That’s why it’s so hard starting out as a newbie. You’re a little nervous about reaching out, which is understandable, AND you’re still learning to refine your brand message. 

But as the years tick by, you figure out what your strongest skills and talents are and what makes your target audience relate. 

When you master that, you’ll find you can easily command higher rates as your clients start coming to you in droves.

Additional Income Streams for Life Coaches

How much does a life coach make when they expand into other types of business models? 

This is one of the most beautiful parts of a life coaching business. 

Earning potential soars to new heights when you learn to do more than just one-on-one life coaching. 

Although, if that’s your passion, stick with it! Don’t let anyone try to steer you from your passion! 

➡️ And here’s a little secret weapon for you:our Money-Making Offers Workbook, perfect to guide you through creating and selling transformative coaching services.

Coaching Packages and Rates

Let’s go back to basics for a moment, shall we? How much does a life coach make in terms of an hourly rate? 

LOTS of beginners transitioning into life coaching have an undying curiosity for this question. 

The majority of us start as 9 to 5ers. So we tend to think about hourly rates. 

You can expect to make anywhere from $20 to $200 dollars an hour through an employer based model. 

(Not the huge range AGAIN! But hopefully by now you’re seeing all the factors that play into life coaching salary.)

If you decide you want to open your own practice we encourage you to start thinking beyond the classic hourly rate. 

When you work for yourself you’ll be pricing things a lot differently. Because well, you’re not an employee anymore!

This is the most nerve wracking part of pricing. 

The truth is no one really knows how to price and it’s completely up to you.

Well shoot! Not the answer you were looking for, huh?

But here’s something to think about: Your work will likely include package deals and retainers. And a lot of the work done is not client facing. 

There’s a load of behind the scenes you need to account for. 

If you go beyond hourly rates and decide to take on package deals and retainers, this is the perfect way to boost your earning potential. 

Still stuck on the hourly rate? That’s ok. 

When you’re first starting out, it might help to set a “secret hourly rate.” 

Factor in all the time you’ll spend working with a client and the non-client facing work you’ll do and… voila! 

You have a starting point. This can work for package deals and retainer work. 

But! As you move along in your career, you’ll think more in terms of the value you bring rather than letting time determine your income. We guarantee it! 

So the question really becomes, “How much does a life coach make with package deals and retainer work?” That’s where the biggest boost in income will come from. 

PRO TIP: Talking money isn’t hardwired into all of us and makes some people nervous! Practice saying your rate without hesitation, looking away, or *ums*. Clients can sniff out a lack of confidence FAST! Know your value, coach! And don’t forget to raise your rates as you gain experience and sharpen your skills.

Group Coaching and Workshops

Is that all, you ask for earning potential? No worries, here’s another way to get your earnings some inspiration and answer our question of “How much does a life coach make?” 

More people = more earnings. 

Offering group coaching sessions can level up your income, too. 

This is the perfect business model to accelerate your earning potential, make a bigger impact, and reach a wider audience all in one go. 

Digital Products and Courses

How much does a life coach make when they learn to wield the powers of the internet and bulldoze geographical barriers? 

This is the time to let your inner writer and artist shine through!

Do you have an idea worth sharing with the world? An idea SO transformative and cutting edge, that you can’t keep it bottled up?

Say no more! Launching digital products increases your earning potential by making your coaching philosophy readily available to anyone who has access to the internet. 

Pouring your heart and soul into things like:

• E-books: Go into detail about your coaching philosophy. Give customers a step-by-step solution to some of their most pressing problems.

• Workbooks: Provide a digital nudge and guidance for customers who appreciate textbook solutions, and working through problems on paper.  

• Online courses: The ULTIMATE game plan for sharing solutions and your coaching philosophy. Online courses are a way for your voice to be heard and to combine workbooks and e-books all into one! And we’ve got you covered here — not only do we have a course creation workbook, but also a course creation template. We’re here to hold your hand through every single step, ensuring your course truly shines.

If the vision catches fire it can spread rapidly and you might have in your digital hands a popular product that drives revenue. 

So, how much does a life coach make with digital products? Do we dare say the potential is — tantalizing?!

Maximizing Earnings as a Life Coach

This might sound crazy, but hear us out! What if we told you the way to maximize your earning potential depends on your willingness to learn, soft skills, and your signature identity?

We’re going to touch on each one of these below. 

Take this to heart because coaches who tap into these are the ones that make the most impact on their clients AND see their bank accounts increase. 

Let’s dive in!

Building a Strong Brand

How much does a life coach make once they discover how to make their brand catchy and memorable?

Income will shoot up like persistent weeds in a garden. You’ll be unstoppable!

The main purpose of a brand is to separate yourself from the rest of the crowd. 

It’s your signature identity and the message you shine into the world. 

When you let your brand ooze from every part of your marketing, your brand gets stronger and more authoritative. 

Here are some ways to build a cohesive and alluring brand. 

1. Know your strengths: Piece together the skills and talents that make you a fabulous coach. Insert these into your coaching strategy to make the marketing process more natural and successful. 

2. Find your mission: Draw from the life experiences that brought you where you are today, and how it’s significant for others. What do you want others to accomplish? Ps: grab our FREE mission statement worksheet to help you here! 

3. Embrace your signature identity: From a gentle guiding spirit, or a rambunctious and fired up coach, how do you want to be perceived by your target audience? Your identity should radiate from all your content, materials, and physical presence. 

4. Know your target audience: Audiences are diverse and need to hear a specific message to get their ears perked up! Do you want to work with single mothers, recovering addicts, men who are 50+, people who want to improve gut health? Once you know who your audience is, you can build a brand message that gets them going. Use our FREE Ideal Client Avatar Worksheet to help you outline your clients hopes and dreams so you know how to talk to hem. 

Which is better, coach? 

You can be seen as the “life coach for hire” — or —  be known as “the coach for go-getting ladies in their 30s.”

Putting out an extra specific signature identity, brand message, and building a reputation will get you seen by the clients who want to work with you — allowing you to command higher rates. 

➡️ Not sure where to start? Our Brand Clarity Guide can help you craft a brand that’s both beautiful and impactful, deeply rooted in your unique vision and values.

Continuous Learning and Skill Development

The life coaching industry is evolving all the time. How much does a life coach make when the market is sporadically changing! 

Well, it’s up to you to get informed on the best way to help your clients.

That means invest in ongoing education to keep yourself relevant. Doing training to keep your skills polished.

Think about it. Your clients and potential employers are doing research, too. 

Everyone wants to keep up with the latest trends, cutting edge breakthroughs, and get the down-low on the newest or ancient snake oils. 

You don’t want to be steered wrong by not being educated!

Fling open your notebook and take notes during webinar, and workshops. Be a tenacious reader, or listen to podcasts or talks given by other experienced life coaches.

Stay up to date!

If you’re trying to stay competitive and want to support your clients as best you can, lifelong learning and personal development are a must!

Networking and Marketing Strategies

How much does a life coach make, once they finesse outreach efforts? Building a vibrant business depends on how you market yourself. 

This is your chance to dish up the best part of your shining business and let people get a taste of it!

Here’s how to serve it up. 

First, share valuable insights on social media and connect with people. Love it or hate it, don’t ignore it! Instead, use it as a virtual meeting place to get to know other life coaches. 

See what they’re up to, but most important, always be ready to help others!

It’s true what they say; what goes around comes around. Put the right energy into the universe by being of assistance rather than pleading for work. 

Nurture connections that might turn into referral sources by starting conversations. 

The key is to be genuinely interested in what others are sharing. 

People can sniff out “fakes” super fast. Please, don’t use AI to speed things up and generate disingenuous comments or DMs. Human to human connection is the best kind of connection. 

Finally, mingle and get to know others at industry events. While it might seem courteous to get to know everyone, keep an eye out for people who are in your niche.

Make a beeline for them and spark engaging chatter. Of course, make a solid first impression by having an impactful elevator pitch ready to fire away!

Frequently Asked Questions

As we wrap up our deep dive into the earnings of life coaches, you might still have a few questions buzzing in your head. Don’t worry; we’re here to tackle some of the most frequently asked questions about this exciting career path. Let’s explore these queries together, just like we’d chat over a cup of coffee, sharing insights and clearing up any doubts you might have about stepping into the world of life coaching.

Can you make good money as a life coach?

Absolutely! Life coaching can be quite a lucrative career, especially as you gain more experience and establish a robust client base. The key is understanding the value you bring to your clients’ lives and setting your prices accordingly. Many life coaches also boost their income by offering packages, workshops, and even digital products, which allows them to reach a broader audience and maximize their earnings.

What type of life coach makes the most money?

Specialization can significantly impact earnings in the life coaching industry. Coaches who focus on niches like executive coaching, career transitions, or health and wellness often find that they can charge premium rates. This is because they offer specialized expertise that’s in high demand, particularly in corporate settings or amongst clients looking to make substantial life changes.

How much should I charge as a life coach?

Setting your rates as a life coach depends on several factors, including your experience, location, and the niche you serve. New coaches might start with lower rates as they build their expertise and client testimonials. However, as you grow in your coaching career, you can increase your rates based on the value and transformation you provide to your clients. It’s also helpful to research what other coaches in your area and specialty are charging to ensure your pricing is competitive.

What qualifies you as a life coach?

Becoming a life coach doesn’t require specific qualifications, but getting certified from a reputable coaching program can enhance your credibility and skills. These programs typically offer training in effective coaching techniques, ethics, and business practices, which can help you serve your clients better and build a successful coaching business. Continuous learning and professional development are also key, allowing you to keep your skills sharp and stay ahead of industry trends.

By answering these questions, we hope to have illuminated the path to becoming a successful life coach and how much you can expect to make in this fulfilling career. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to expand your coaching business, there’s always room to grow and succeed in the world of life coaching.

Final Thoughts

We’ve reached the end of our exploration into the earnings of life coaches, and what a journey it’s been! From discussing the average salaries and factors that influence them, to delving into additional income streams and strategic tips for maximizing earnings, we’ve covered a lot of ground.

We’ve seen that the answer to “how much does a life coach make” can vary widely, influenced by factors like specialization, location, experience, and the unique offerings each coach brings to the table. It’s clear that life coaching isn’t just a fulfilling career choice; it can also be quite profitable for those who are committed to their personal and professional growth.

Now we’d like to turn it over to you:

Which factor do you think is most crucial for a life coach’s financial success? Is it the niche they choose, the experience they have, or perhaps the additional offerings they provide like workshops and digital products?

Maybe you have a specific question about starting or enhancing your career in life coaching.

Whatever it is, we’re eager to hear from you! Drop us a comment below and share this post with your network to keep the conversation going. Your insights and questions enrich our community, and who knows? The next big idea in life coaching might come from one of you!