53201 – Coaches
TEER 3Occupations usually requiring a college diploma or apprenticeship of less than 2 years, or more than 6 months of on-the-job training
Lead statement
Coaches prepare and train individual athletes or teams for competitive events.
Main duties
- Identify strengths and weaknesses of athletes or teams
- Plan, develop and implement training and practice sessions
- Nurture and develop athletes' potential skills and abilities
- Develop, plan and coordinate competitive schedules and programs
- Motivate and prepare athletes or teams for competitive events or games
- Formulate competitive strategies, develop game plans and direct athletes and players during games or athletic events
- Analyse and evaluate athletes' or teams' performances and modify training programs.
- Identify and recruit developing athletes for professional sports teams
- Observe and evaluate prospective athletes' skills and performance, and review their past records
- File reports on scouting assessments and recommendations with professional team employers.
Employment requirements
- Completion of the National Coaching Certificate program is usually required for individual and team sports coaches in all sports.
- National Coaching Certificate Level 3 is usually required for provincial coaches.
- A degree in physical education may be required.
- National Coaching Certificate Level 4 is usually required for coaches of national team athletes.
- Experience in, and technical knowledge of, the sport is required.
Example job titles
coach · national team coach · provincial team coach · amateur sports team coach · baseball coach · football coach · hockey coach · volleyball coach · soccer coach · sports scout · football scout · hockey scout · professional sports scout
Wages (per hour)
| Province / territory | Low | Median | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canada | $16.00 | $25.00 | $43.27 |
| Nova Scotia | $19.68 | $28.17 | $37.25 |
| New Brunswick | $18.89 | $27.49 | $34.45 |
| Quebec | $18.19 | $26.06 | $38.34 |
| Ontario | $18.00 | $25.00 | $45.00 |
| Manitoba | $19.27 | $29.46 | $42.35 |
| Saskatchewan | $17.34 | $26.48 | $40.34 |
| Alberta | $18.00 | $25.00 | $45.00 |
| British Columbia | $18.50 | $30.00 | $42.31 |
Source: Job Bank wages, 2025 release (ESDC). Low and high are the 10th and 90th percentiles.
Occupation details: ESDC OaSIS 2025, based on NOC 2021.