Strength and conditioning coaches are vital to the development of strength and endurance among athletes. A great deal of their work is done during practice so they can spend more time coaching their students in game situations. The average salary for a strength and conditioning coach is quite high, but there is a wide range depending on location and employer.
Strength and conditioning coaches work in a variety of settings, including professional and college athletic teams. They also may work in private gyms and health clubs, hospitals and private clinics, or in corporate wellness programs.
The average salary for a strength and conditioning coach in the United States is around $87,000 per year. Of course, this figure varies widely by location and experience.
Salary For Strength And Conditioning Coach overview
Strength and conditioning coaches are responsible for the physical well-being of athletes. They develop programs to help athletes improve their performance in sports, and they also help prevent injuries.
Strength and conditioning coaches often have to have a bachelor’s degree in exercise physiology, kinesiology or a related field, and many also need a master’s degree in sports medicine. In addition, they have to be certified by the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA).
The average salary for a strength and conditioning coach at the high school level is $60,000 per year. For example, a high school strength and conditioning coach earns an average of $56,000 per year in Wisconsin; $57,000 per year in California; $76,000 per year in New Jersey; and $82,000 per year in Florida.
In some cases, these professionals are paid significantly more than that. For example:
- A Division 1 college football coach makes around $700-$800 thousand annually.
- A Division 2 college football strength & conditioning coach earns about $75-$150 thousand per year (this includes bonuses).
- A Division 1 college basketball strength & conditioning coach can earn up to
What Is A Strength And Conditioning Coach
A strength and conditioning coach is responsible for developing and implementing strength and conditioning programs for athletes. He/she applies scientific principles and creates individualized training plans aimed at helping athletes attain optimum performance. Their main objectives are to improve an athlete’s fitness and understanding and teach them lifelong fitness skills.
A strength and conditioning coach usually works with individual athletes, but he/she can also work with all team members. They also work very closely with the head coach to devise a strength and conditioning program. A successful strength and conditioning coach should have considerable strength and conditioning experience, first aid certification, leadership skills, and interpersonal skills.
Strength and conditioning coaches mostly work in high schools and universities. Some of them work with professional and semi-professional athletes. They often work long hours depending on the athletes’ availability.
There is more than meets the eye when it comes to being a Strength And Conditioning Coach. For example, did you know that they make an average of $22.2 an hour? That’s $46,174 a year!
What Does a Strength and Conditioning Coach Do?
From applying scientific principles toward improving an athlete’s fitness and performance to monitoring an athlete’s progress and taking inventory of athletic equipment, a strength and conditioning coach’s duties span a range of areas. An important aspect of these job responsibilities is developing customized training programs for teams and individual athletes, including creating workout schedules and instructing athletes on the use of equipment. They may also develop rehabilitation programs when athletes are injured.
Taking care of the gym and equipment is another task coaches undertake. This can involve maintaining the athletic equipment or recommending upgrades. A strength and conditioning coach may also assume a leadership role, managing and overseeing assistant strength and conditioning coaching staff. Strength and conditioning coaches may work with private sports organizations, high school programs, college sports teams, or professional sports teams.
Steps to Become a Strength and Conditioning Coach
It takes education, certification, and experience to achieve a successful strength and conditioning coaching career. Below are four steps that prepare individuals to pursue this occupation.
Earn a Bachelor’s Degree
Completing a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field, such as Maryville University’s online bachelor’s in exercise science, is the first step for an individual pursuing a career as a strength and conditioning coach. Most organizations and teams require applicants for strength and conditioning coach positions to have a bachelor’s degree.
The curriculum for a bachelor’s program in exercise science may include courses in injury prevention, exercise psychology, nutrition, performance coaching, and tactical strength and conditioning.
Pursue an Advanced Education
While a graduate degree is not required, it’s often needed to progress in this profession. Advanced degrees are becoming more common in the industry, and many jobs list a master’s degree as a preferred qualification for applicants, according to the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA).
Get Credentialed
Completing a credentialing program, such as the NSCA certified strength and conditioning specialist certificate, can help strength and conditioning coaches demonstrate their professional competence.
Other certificate programs, such as the performance enhancement specialist certification (PES) from the National Academy of Sports Medicine, the strength and conditioning coach certified certification (SCCC) from the Collegiate Strength and Conditioning Coaches Association, and the ISSA strength and conditioning coach (SSC) certification from the International Sports Sciences Association, are also available. Many full-time jobs require applicants to possess at least one certification to be considered for hire. High school coaches may need to gain state certification.
Gain Experience
Practical, hands-on experience is not only required to work in this profession, it’s vital for long-term professional success. College and professional teams may want coaches to have experience playing the sport. Some coaches will also gain experience as strength and conditioning assistants.
Coaches who want to work for major teams or move into head coaching positions will need several years of professional experience. Relevant experience includes implementing exercise programs and routines, maintaining and managing equipment, and leading staff members.
Fundamental Skills for Strength and Conditioning Coaches
Learning how to become a strength and conditioning coach is an important first step to starting a career in this field. However, the success of a coach is directly tied to the following fundamental skills.
- Analytical thinking. Strength and conditioning coaches should have the ability to collect, evaluate, and analyze information. These skills can be used for brainstorming or other types of problem-solving. Individuals with strong analytical skills make good decisions, improve productivity, and help solve an organization’s or athlete’s problems.
- Attention to detail. Professionals in this field are often responsible for ensuring that tasks are completed accurately, no matter the size or complexity.
- Communication. The ability to deliver a clear message both verbally and in writing is important in this career field. Effective communication is integral not only to coaching but also to working with other coaches, sports medicine professionals, administrators, and the media.
- Integrity. Strength and conditioning coaches should adhere to professional standards and moral principles. This allows them to provide high-quality services to clients.
- Interpersonal relations. Professionals in this field often need to form strong relationships with athletes. These skills are exhibited through conflict management, teamwork, empathy, and listening.
- Leadership. A leader directs an organization or team to operate in a more coherent and cohesive way. Coaches with strong leadership skills can successfully guide others to accomplish a goal.
Strength and Conditioning Coach Salary
The median salary for coaches and scouts, including strength and conditioning coaches, is $34,840, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). However, pay can vary dramatically depending on whether a coach works for a gym, high school, collegiate sports facility, or professional sports team.
While the BLS reports the median salary for coaches at top colleges was $46,180 in 2019, the top salary for a college football strength coach was $800,200 that same year, according to USA Today. Pay may also vary due to education level, years of experience, and geographic location.
