Life Coach Salary: How Much Do Life Coaches Make?

The short answer: it depends on your specialization, location, certification, and how well you market yourself. But here are the numbers.

According to the 2025 ICF Global Coaching Study, coaches in the United States earn an average of $71,719 per year. The global average is lower at $49,283 annually, reflecting differences in market maturity and pricing norms across regions.

Glassdoor reports a somewhat higher figure — $84,423 average annual salary for U.S. life coaches in 2025 (Glassdoor). The range is wide because coaching income is heavily influenced by specialization, client type, and business model.

The important context: most coaches are self-employed. There's no guaranteed salary. Your income is directly tied to how many clients you serve, what you charge, and how consistently you fill your calendar.

Your niche is the single biggest factor in what you'll earn. Here's how different coaching specializations compare:

The pattern is clear: coaches who work with corporate clients and organizations earn significantly more than those serving individual consumers. Executive and leadership coaches command the highest rates because their clients — or their clients' employers — can measure ROI in business terms.

The 2025 ICF study confirms this, finding that 54% of all coaches focus on leadership or executive coaching. That's where the money is, but it's also where competition is strongest.

Certification doesn't just add letters after your name — it directly impacts your income. ICF data consistently shows that credentialed coaches earn more than their non-certified peers.

ICF Master Certified Coaches (MCC) earn approximately twice what non-certified coaches make for comparable services. Even at the ACC level, having an ICF credential signals to clients and corporate buyers that you've met an internationally recognized standard.

The 2025 ICF Global Coaching Study also found that coaches with over 10 years of experience average $69,721 globally — with higher hourly fees and more clients. Baby Boomer coaches charge an average of $270 per hour, compared to $193 for Millennials, reflecting both experience and credential accumulation.

Learn more about your options in our certification comparison guide.

Year 1 (building phase): Most new coaches earn $0-$30,000 from coaching while building their practice part-time. Many maintain other income sources during this period. This is normal — not a sign of failure.

Years 2-3 (growing phase): Coaches who consistently market themselves and develop a niche typically reach $40,000-$60,000 annually. Client referrals start to build.

Years 4-7 (established phase): Established coaches with strong reputations and consistent referral streams earn $60,000-$100,000. Many add group coaching, workshops, or online courses to supplement 1-on-1 sessions.

Years 8+ (senior phase): Coaches with 10+ years of experience average $69,721 globally (ICF 2025), but those in high-demand specializations like executive coaching can earn $150,000-$350,000+.

Hourly rates vary widely based on specialization, experience, and client type. According to the ICF 2023 Global Coaching Study, the average fee for a 1-hour coaching session is $244 globally, a 9% increase from $224 in 2019.

In practice, here's what most coaches charge:

New coaches (no credential): $50-$100/session. Certified coaches (ACC/equivalent): $100-$200/session. Experienced coaches (PCC/equivalent): $200-$350/session. Executive/corporate coaches (MCC or specialized): $300-$500+/session.

Many coaches don't charge by the hour at all. Package pricing is common — for example, a 3-month coaching program at $1,500-$5,000 that includes 12 sessions, email support, and resources. Packages give clients a clear investment and give you more predictable income.

Salary data tells one story. But since most coaches are self-employed, the reality is more nuanced. Here's what the averages don't capture:

You won't be coaching 40 hours a week. ICF data shows coaches average 11.6 hours per week of actual coaching, with about 12.4 active clients (ICF 2025). The rest of your time goes to marketing, admin, content creation, professional development, and business operations.

Self-employment costs eat into gross revenue. Health insurance, self-employment taxes (15.3% in the U.S.), professional liability insurance, platform subscriptions, continuing education, and marketing costs can reduce your take-home by 25-35%.

Income is rarely consistent at first. Unlike a salaried job, coaching income fluctuates month to month, especially in the first few years. Building a waitlist takes time.

The coaches earning $100K+ usually have multiple revenue streams. Group coaching programs, workshops, online courses, corporate contracts, and speaking fees supplement 1-on-1 coaching. The most successful coaches treat their practice as a business with diversified income.

None of this means coaching isn't a viable career — 59% of coaches globally expect their revenue to increase in the coming year (ICF 2025). But going in with realistic expectations is important. See our guide on whether life coaching is a good career for a fuller picture.