Anonymous
12/27/2023 10:49
Subject: How much do travel soccer coaches make?
Don't give them any ideas! 
Anonymous
12/27/2023 10:45
Subject: How much do travel soccer coaches make?
Youth sports coaching is generally very low pay. That has always been the case. I can’t see soccer being any different. It’s not like they’re generating revenue through ticket sales or something.
Anonymous
12/27/2023 09:28
Subject: How much do travel soccer coaches make?
Coach and former club president here,
Pay varies greatly depending on factors but in general the top ones are:
Level of Play (e.g. what league they play in).
Age Group (Older age groups pay more in general. More players, higher fees)
Club (Size and Local area income)
Coaches tend to get paid per team they take on. I've seen as low as >5k for ulittles at small clubs, especially in lower leagues to 30k> for upper-level leagues at older age groups. These figures are for the whole soccer year.
Coaches don't generally get their travel expenses reimbursed, although this varies by contract and I've seen clubs who reimburse for overnight stays and travel for very far tournaments. Previously most coaches were 1099 and didn't have any other benefits (health, dental, leave, etc.) The IRS put out new guidance a few years back about this (leaning towards W2) - I'm not sure how it has changed up the landscape since then, but I imagine clubs would like to stick with 1099 wherever possible.
Coaches looking to 'make a living' only coaching, especially in this area, tend to have to take on at LEAST two teams to get by. Most are looking for additional teams or titles (age group coordinator, boys/girls director, league director, TD, DOC, etc.) to get extra money. Most clubs have salaried positions, these are usually your TD, DOC, and directors if the club is large enough. Many of these positions ALSO coach teams as part of their duties.
There are A FEW folks making out like bandits at certain clubs, but these are generally at the highest positions and not just a person who exclusively coaches teams. If I had to make an educated guess, I'd wager most coaches are younger guys with regular jobs, coaching on the side. Despite what most may think, most of them love the sport, and love what they do DESPITE the pay and hours. Yes, there are certainly bad exceptions and the top level coaches tend to be the ones that get the spotlight, but the above generally holds true for the average travel level youth soccer coach.
Pay varies greatly depending on factors but in general the top ones are:
Level of Play (e.g. what league they play in).
Age Group (Older age groups pay more in general. More players, higher fees)
Club (Size and Local area income)
Coaches tend to get paid per team they take on. I've seen as low as >5k for ulittles at small clubs, especially in lower leagues to 30k> for upper-level leagues at older age groups. These figures are for the whole soccer year.
Coaches don't generally get their travel expenses reimbursed, although this varies by contract and I've seen clubs who reimburse for overnight stays and travel for very far tournaments. Previously most coaches were 1099 and didn't have any other benefits (health, dental, leave, etc.) The IRS put out new guidance a few years back about this (leaning towards W2) - I'm not sure how it has changed up the landscape since then, but I imagine clubs would like to stick with 1099 wherever possible.
Coaches looking to 'make a living' only coaching, especially in this area, tend to have to take on at LEAST two teams to get by. Most are looking for additional teams or titles (age group coordinator, boys/girls director, league director, TD, DOC, etc.) to get extra money. Most clubs have salaried positions, these are usually your TD, DOC, and directors if the club is large enough. Many of these positions ALSO coach teams as part of their duties.
There are A FEW folks making out like bandits at certain clubs, but these are generally at the highest positions and not just a person who exclusively coaches teams. If I had to make an educated guess, I'd wager most coaches are younger guys with regular jobs, coaching on the side. Despite what most may think, most of them love the sport, and love what they do DESPITE the pay and hours. Yes, there are certainly bad exceptions and the top level coaches tend to be the ones that get the spotlight, but the above generally holds true for the average travel level youth soccer coach.
Anonymous
12/27/2023 08:00
Subject: How much do travel soccer coaches make?
I helped a coach negotiate their contract last year as a favor. This was MLS Next. Some clubs have full time coaches. Those make around 45-60,000. Otherwise these coaches get paid per team and they don’t get paid double if they coach 2 times. They also do not get any benefits (no health insurance, etc). The average I found when helping this coach research was between 17,500-22,000 for the entire season (which can be 10 months) for one team and maybe 10,000 more if they coach a second.
It was terrible IMO. This was MLS Next Level (so we looked at Bethesda, Achilles, SYC, ASA, and other peer nonMLS Next teams like Arlington). This wasn’t easy information to obtain, we had to ask around and trust what we were told. The amount of work for MLS Next teams does not even compare to what they’re being paid. Parents are expecting scouting of teams, reviewing of film, off season trainings, etc. If you divided the number of hours by the salary it is shameful IMO.
Yes, I’m looking at you in particular ASA.
People should be paid a fair and livable wage. These coaches are not in it for the money.
It was terrible IMO. This was MLS Next Level (so we looked at Bethesda, Achilles, SYC, ASA, and other peer nonMLS Next teams like Arlington). This wasn’t easy information to obtain, we had to ask around and trust what we were told. The amount of work for MLS Next teams does not even compare to what they’re being paid. Parents are expecting scouting of teams, reviewing of film, off season trainings, etc. If you divided the number of hours by the salary it is shameful IMO.
Yes, I’m looking at you in particular ASA.
People should be paid a fair and livable wage. These coaches are not in it for the money.
Anonymous
12/27/2023 07:32
Subject: How much do travel soccer coaches make?
Anonymous wrote:It’s not hard to calculate.
Look at your club fees - do not include specific additions for tournament costs. Your coach gets about half of those fees. The rest goes to admin costs, equipment costs, field rental, etc. if you are paying $3,000 for the year the coach gets $1,500. Have 15 kids on the team? Great. The coach gets $22,500. It works to about $20 an hour - maybe less.
This is why I laugh at all the posts saying travel sports are a money making racket, coaches/teams just raking it in. My son desperately wants coach for a living, or at least do something related to his sport (like run one of the training centers). But it’s a hardscrabble way to make a living, and unless you own a very successful company you don’t make a living wage, let alone a comfortable middle class income. He’s watched his training facility go under this fall, and it’s sobering.
Anonymous
12/27/2023 07:24
Subject: How much do travel soccer coaches make?
It’s not hard to calculate.
Look at your club fees - do not include specific additions for tournament costs. Your coach gets about half of those fees. The rest goes to admin costs, equipment costs, field rental, etc. if you are paying $3,000 for the year the coach gets $1,500. Have 15 kids on the team? Great. The coach gets $22,500. It works to about $20 an hour - maybe less.
Look at your club fees - do not include specific additions for tournament costs. Your coach gets about half of those fees. The rest goes to admin costs, equipment costs, field rental, etc. if you are paying $3,000 for the year the coach gets $1,500. Have 15 kids on the team? Great. The coach gets $22,500. It works to about $20 an hour - maybe less.
Anonymous
12/26/2023 20:42
Subject: How much do travel soccer coaches make?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:I think it’s more like 30,000 give or take a few thousand. Nice side gig!
30k for one team? No way.
There are absolutely MLS Next/GA/ECNL level coaches making $30k per team per year.
Anonymous
12/26/2023 20:11
Subject: How much do travel soccer coaches make?
Depends on the club, but the average would be:
One team = $10-20k annual. This is for the entire season because that's the contract (fall, winter, spring). That's why many coaches have 2-3 teams. It adds up, but it's hard work. I know a few coaches who have three teams. It's insane. That's nine practices a week and at least three to six games on the weekends. Toss in tournaments and you're talking nonstop travel and games.
One team = $10-20k annual. This is for the entire season because that's the contract (fall, winter, spring). That's why many coaches have 2-3 teams. It adds up, but it's hard work. I know a few coaches who have three teams. It's insane. That's nine practices a week and at least three to six games on the weekends. Toss in tournaments and you're talking nonstop travel and games.
Anonymous
12/26/2023 19:45
Subject: How much do travel soccer coaches make?
Anonymous wrote:I think it’s more like 30,000 give or take a few thousand. Nice side gig!
30k for one team? No way.
Anonymous
12/26/2023 19:24
Subject: How much do travel soccer coaches make?
Anonymous wrote:A few years ago, I was told it was $16,000 per team per season, but not sure if that is accurate.
A season as in "fall" or a season as in "23-24"?
Are travel expenses on top of that?
Anonymous
12/26/2023 18:53
Subject: How much do travel soccer coaches make?
I think it’s more like 30,000 give or take a few thousand. Nice side gig!
Anonymous
12/26/2023 16:21
Subject: How much do travel soccer coaches make?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:A few years ago, I was told it was $16,000 per team per season, but not sure if that is accurate.
For what club?
I would guess smaller clubs are closer to 10k per team per season
Anonymous
12/26/2023 16:11
Subject: How much do travel soccer coaches make?
Anonymous wrote:A few years ago, I was told it was $16,000 per team per season, but not sure if that is accurate.
For what club?
Anonymous
12/26/2023 16:08
Subject: How much do travel soccer coaches make?
A few years ago, I was told it was $16,000 per team per season, but not sure if that is accurate.
Anonymous
12/26/2023 16:06
Subject: How much do travel soccer coaches make?
Does age group matter? I’m thinking u9-11 or 12... Do coaches get reimbursed for travel expenses/ mileage? What are time commitment/requirements? I live in DC so clubs in and around DC are of interest. Just trying to gather information...