Pay varies depending on the sport and region you work in. The starting rate for a sport coach working on a casual basis is $20 an hour. Full-time sport coaches can earn $30,000 a year or more, but may have administrative duties in addition to coaching.
With three to five years' experience (and coaching qualifications relevant to the sport), sport coaches can earn between $30 and $40 an hour, or $50,000 to $60,000 if working full time.
With further recognised experience and coaching success, sport coaches may work as regional or national coaches. They can earn more than $80,000 a year. A car and performance bonuses may be included for senior coaching roles.
At entry level, sport coaches often work as casuals or part time for several sport clubs, schools, or teams.
With three to five years' experience, they may get a full-time job at a particular sport club or school, or start their own businesses and work on contract for other organisations.
With recognised experience and success, sport coaches may work as coaches for regional or national sport organisations, such as provincial rugby teams, or Netball New Zealand. However, there are few full-time roles for high performance coaches in New Zealand.
Depending on their skills, sport coaches could also move into roles such as a Coachforce Officer for a Regional Sports Organisation or Trust, Sport Development Officer for a Regional Sports Organisation or a Sport and Recreation Co-ordinator in a Secondary School.
With experience, there may be opportunities to become a Coaching Director for a National Sports Organisation, and set the direction for coaching in that sport.
