Life coaching is a growing profession with diverse income potential. Recent data shows that life coaches can earn between $30,000 and $100,000 per year, depending on factors like experience, location, and client base. This field offers opportunities for personal fulfillment and financial success.
In This Post
- 1 What is the average salary of a life coach?
- 2 How much do life coaches make hourly?
- 3 How many clients do life coaches see per week?
- 4 What is the average hourly rate?
- 5 How much does a Business Coach make?
- 6 How much does an Executive Coach make?
- 7 Who sees the most clients weekly: life coaches, business coaches, or executive coaches?Â
- 8 What determines a coach’s salary?
- 9 Frequently Asked Questions
- 10 Key takeaways
What is the average salary of a life coach?
The 2023 ICF Global Coaching Study surveyed over 14,591 coaches in 157 countries and territories throughout Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, North America, and South America and received the following results: 
Average Life Coach salary in:
- North America $67,800
- Latin America & the Caribbean $22,900
- Western Europe $52,400
- Eastern Europe $18,700
- Middle East & Africa $29,600
- Asia $33,900
- Oceania $58,800
The coaching industry has seen growth, with a 12% increase in average annual revenue between 2019 and 2022, reaching $52,800. Despite this upward trend, more than half of coaches globally earn less than $30,000 per year from coaching alone.
How much do life coaches make hourly?
Life coaches charge different rates based on their experience. According to the ICF Global Study, in 2023, the average fee for a 1-hour coaching session is $244. This marks a 9% increase from 2019.
However, fees quoted per one-hour session varied by coach experience:
- 10+ years $321 per hour
- 5- 10 years $256 per hour
- 3 – 4 years $194 per hour
- 1 – 2 years $152 per hour
- Less than 1 year $128 per hour
How many clients do life coaches see per week?
Coaches typically work with about 12 clients each week.
They spend around 12 hours per week coaching these clients.
Most coaches expect to grow their client base and income in the coming year. Many aim to boost their client numbers by 70%.
What is the average hourly rate?
Life coaches’ earnings and workloads vary across regions. North American coaches charge the highest average fee of $272 per hour, while Latin American coaches charge the lowest at $114. Western European coaches have the highest hourly rate at $277.
Globally, life coaches work an average of 11.9 hours per week with 12.2 active clients. Oceania coaches have the most clients at 13.8, while Eastern European coaches have the fewest at 8.4. North American coaches work the most hours weekly at 13.3, tied with Oceania.
Life coaching hourly rates, number of clients, and hours worked per week.
The table below shows regional differences in fees, revenue, hours worked, and client numbers:
 | Average fee reported per one-hour session | Average hourly revenue recovered | Hours per week (average) | Active clients currently coaching (average) |
 | USD | USD | # | # |
Asia | $226 | $70 | 9.2 | 11.5 |
Eastern Europe | $138 | $47 | 7.7 | 8.4 |
Latin America and the Caribbean | $114 | $38 | 11.4 | 10.2 |
Middle East and Africa | $165 | $62 | 9.1 | 11 |
North America | $272 | $98 | 13.3 | 13.5 |
Oceania | $259 | $85 | 13.3 | 13.8 |
Western Europe | $277 | $84 | 12 | 11.5 |
Global | $244 | $85 | 11.9 | 12.2 |
How much does a Business Coach make?
According to Salary.com, as of January 1, 2025, the average annual salary for a business coach in the United States is $92,198, with a typical range between $77,740 and $112,476.
Glassdoor reports a higher average salary of $103,682 per year, with total compensation potentially reaching $195,686 annually.
How much does an Executive Coach make?
An Executive Coach works with companies and employees to enhance skills and business behavior.
According to the Sherpa Executive Coaching Survey, 2020 reports Executive Coaches with:
Executive coaches earn varying salaries based on their experience and client load.
New coaches in the field have seen a jump in their hourly rates. Five years ago, they charged around $200 per hour. Now, that rate has climbed to nearly $300 per hour. These newcomers often work with about two clients each week.
Coaches with 10-15 years under their belt typically earn $122,000 per year.
Coaches with 15+ years of experience can make $160,000 annually and charge $450 per hour.Â
More seasoned coaches tend to have steadier rates. Their earnings can differ based on the number of clients they take on. Some coaches work internally for companies, balancing coaching duties with other tasks.
Who sees the most clients weekly: life coaches, business coaches, or executive coaches?Â
According to the Sherpa Executive Coaching Survey, executive coaches typically work with more clients each week than life coaches or business coaches. Most life and business coaches have five or fewer clients. In comparison, executive coaches tend to have a higher number of clients.
- 67% of life and business coaches see five clients or less per week.
- 82% of executive coaches serve from 3 – 10 clients per week.
- 18% of executive coaches report seeing 10 or more clients per week.
What determines a coach’s salary?
A coach’s salary is based on various factors, including credentials, experience, knowledge, skills, abilities, the range and mix of services offered, and the client market they serve. However, years of experience are the most important factor in a coach’s salary. Â
According to ICF’s Global Study, 94% of coaches offer other services in addition to coaching.Â
- Consulting – 60%
- Training – 60%
- Facilitation services – 54%Â
However, the results of this survey are for coaching only.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can life coaching be a full-time career?
Yes, many life coaches work full-time, especially those who establish multiple income streams such as coaching packages, courses, and workshops.
What is the highest-paying life coaching niche?
Executive coaching, business coaching, and leadership coaching tend to be the most profitable niches, with coaches charging $200–$500+ per session.
Do certified life coaches make more money?
Certified life coaches often earn more than non-certified coaches because credentials from organizations like ICF can enhance credibility and trust.
How do life coaches make passive income online?
Many life coaches earn passive income through online courses, books, membership programs, and digital products.
What are the different ways to make money as a coach?
Coaches can make money and scale their business by offering group coaching, courses, memberships, and corporate training.
Read the additional Ways to Make Money as a Coach.
How long does it take to become a well-paid life coach?
On average, coaches build a full-time income within a year, while others take several years. This depends on marketing skills, niche, and experience.
Can you make six figures as a life coach?
Yes, life coaches who specialize in a profitable niche, offer premium services and have multiple income streams can make six figures.
How do I increase my life coaching rates?
Increase rates by niching down, improving branding, gaining testimonials, and offering high-value coaching packages.
Key takeaways
Several factors work together to boost a coach’s income.
These include:
- Years of Experience: Coaches who have worked longer often make more money. They charge more for sessions, have more clients, and spend more time coaching each week. Coaches with more experience typically enjoy higher annual income from coaching.
- Business Coaching Specialization:Â Business coaches tend to earn above-average pay. They can charge higher fees and often work with executives. Many of their clients have sponsors who pay for the coaching.
- Client’s Position Matters: Coaches predominantly serving executives often charge the highest hourly fees and generate the highest annual coaching revenue.
- Sponsorship Boosts Revenue: Having sponsored clients helps coaches earn more. When someone else pays for the coaching, fees, and income, tend to go up.
These insights shed light on the factors contributing to coaches’ success and income in the coaching industry.
When you join Universal Coach Institute, you get access to our Business Center and group calls. We show you how to increase your salary as a life coach. We teach you how to get clients and how to start, run, and grow your business. At Universal Coach Institute, you will get access to training and group calls that will prepare you to make the switch from your current job to owning your own life coaching business. No experience necessary!
