Life coaching is booming, and it’s no surprise why – many people want to make an impact while achieving financial freedom. But how much do life coaches make? And how do you turn your passion for helping others into an income you can rely on?
Since 2015, I’ve been running my coaching business completely online. My workshops, online courses, and coaching programs have provided steady earnings and allowed me to work on my own terms.
Here, I’ll break down the different life coach earnings, the average salary of life coaches, ways to increase your income, and steps to build a strong, stable life coaching business.
If you’re a coach, author, or expert wanting more time and financial freedom, read on – I have the strategies to help you get there.
Table of Contents
Life Coach Earnings: How Much Do Life Coaches Make?
What do life coach earnings look like? With the right insights, you can set achievable goals and make a living as a successful life coach.
How much can a life coach make?
More people are turning to professionals for guidance, raising the demand for life coaches. Here’s a quick look at its growth and what to expect.
- Coaching Industry Value: $4.564 billion.
- Number of Coaches Worldwide: Increased from 71,000 in 2020 to over 109,000 in 2023 (50% increase).
- Global Average Income Growth: Increased from $47,100 in 2019 to $52,800 in 2023 (12% rise).
Life Coach Pay Rate
How much do life coaches make? Based on data from the 2023 ICF Global Coaching Study, the table below shows the average life coach’s earnings.
| Metric | Value |
| Hourly rate | $244 |
| Annual income | $52,800 |
| Hours worked | 11.9 hours per week (average) |
Coaches typically work fewer hours per week than the usual 40-hour workweek because coaching sessions are short and focused on high-impact outcomes to support client transformation.
Coaches also dedicate time to tasks that don’t count toward billable hours but are vital to running a coaching business – like session prep, marketing, and administrative work.
Average life coach salary by region
The annual revenue of a life coach varies based on location. Here’s how earnings stack up across different regions.
| Region | Yearly Average Income |
| North America | $67,800 |
| Oceania | $58,000 |
| Western Europe | $52,400 |
| Asia | $33,900 |
| Middle East and Africa | $29,600 |
| Latin America and the Caribbean | $22,900 |
| Eastern Europe | $18,700 |
Average life coach earnings by niche
Different niches can lead to different earnings. Here’s how various coaching specialties impact hourly rates.
| Niche | Hourly Rate |
| Relationship Coaching | $35.29 |
| Executive Business Coaching | $21.19 |
| Career Coaching | $16.06 |
| Health and Wellbeing Coaching | $15.36 |
| Personal Development Coaching | $14.36 |
Coaching rates based on experience level
Factors like experience and qualification matter in coaching. Here’s how hourly rates impact annual revenue as coaches gain more years under their belt.
| Experience Level | Average Hourly Rate |
| 10+ years | $67,800 annually |
| 5-10 years | $58,000 annually |
| 3-4 years | $52,400 annually |
| 1-2 years | $33,900 annually |
| Less than a year | $29,600 annually |
Life Coach Salary By Niche
The average coaching salary depends on your niche. Each coaching type has its payscale, depending on the challenges it addresses.
Christian life coach salary
They earn around $20 per hour or $41,764 annually. Christian life coaches guide clients with faith-based approaches and work with those seeking spiritual alignment in personal growth.
Spiritual life coach salary
Earns an hourly average of $31.95 or $36,000 to $107,000 annually. Spiritual life coaches help clients find purpose and inner peace and explore deeper personal connections.
Holistic life coach salary
Averages about $20 per hour or $41,764 annually. Holistic life coaches emphasize a wellness-oriented approach for clients interested in balancing health with personal growth.
Life skills coach salary
Earnings range from $27,000 to $53,500 annually. Life skills coaches focus on building practical abilities, like time management and resilience, and improving everyday functioning.
Life coach vs therapist salary
The average annual salary for life coaches in the U.S. is $45,394. However, life coach earnings vary depending on experience and niche. Meanwhile, therapists earn around $71,859 annually, partly due to business expenses like licensing requirements and the option to accept insurance.
Online life coach salary
Earns between $27,000 and $53,500 annually. Online life coaches serve a global client base with flexible, remote options, attracting busy professionals.
Executive life coach salary
Executive life coaches charge around $200-$500 per session or an average of $340 per hour. They work with corporate clients to boost leadership and productivity. To make six figures, consider becoming a corporate coach.
Family life coach salary
Family life coaches earn $28,000 to $60,000 annually, helping clients improve family dynamics and relationships. They are ideal for clients seeking harmony and communication skills at home.
Intuitive life coach salary
Intuitive life coaches earn between $22,500 and $63,500 per year. They use intuition-based techniques to support clients’ self-awareness and personal growth.
Master life coach salary
Averages $100 to $200 per hour or $139,505 annually. Master life coaches work with clients at deeper personal and professional transformation levels.
Therapeutic art life coach salary
Typically earns $33 per hour and $69,553 per year through art-based approaches to help clients explore personal growth through creativity.
NLP life coach salary
NLP (Neuro-Linguistic Programming) life coaches earn around $48 per hour or $62,000 annually. They use behavioral techniques to support clients in achieving mindset shifts and lasting change.
Life and wellness coach salary
Life and wellness coaches make about $50 to $100 per hour. An experienced health coach can charge $150 hourly for high-ticket clients. They combine wellness with life coaching for a balanced approach to health and personal goals.
What Is A Life Coach?
A life coach guides people in making real changes through a framework, encouragement, and accountability. They help clients set and achieve goals to improve career direction, personal health, relationships, or mindset.
Life coaching is different from therapy. It focuses on where clients want to go rather than where they’ve been. Coaches work alongside clients to build confidence, navigate career shifts, and take tangible steps toward a fulfilling life.
How to Make More Money As A Life Coach
How can you land life coaching clients who can’t resist your high-ticket offers? It begins with a few simple strategies. And, with consistent effort, you can increase your income as a life coach quicker than you think.
1. Use social media
A targeted social media strategy expands your reach and attracts high-ticket clients through relevant content.
Case in point: Rhea Williams
Rhea Williams, a life coach and social media influencer, offers valuable content on YouTube and other platforms, enhancing her visibility and attracting clients. She has been on shows like TODAY and the Jennifer Hudson Show, building authority and a larger audience.
Tips for effective social media marketing
- Profile optimization: Whether you’re using LinkedIn, Instagram, or Facebook to attract clients, make sure your bio and profile image look professional. Consistent colors and fonts strengthen your brand.
- Consistency: Consistency is key to engaging with your audience and building trust. Find a posting schedule that works for you and stick with it.
- Listen to your audience: Pay attention to your audience’s most asked questions or concerns to learn more about their needs. This feedback will help you create content that addresses your audience’s challenges.
2. Nurture your email list
Having a dedicated page for email sign-ups is crucial. Unlike social media, an email list gives you direct access to potential clients, and you aren’t at the mercy of the algorithm. So, build and nurture your email list to help grow your business.
Use pop-ups or sign-up boxes on every page to encourage website visitors to join your list.
By combining these strategies, you’ll see more sign-ups, a larger pool of potential clients, and more sales for your coaching business.
3. Host virtual workshops
Virtual workshops and webinars are excellent tools for attracting clients. They showcase your expertise, allow potential clients to see how you work, and reduce their hesitation about purchasing.
Group coaching can increase your hourly earnings without taking on a heavy one-on-one workload. For example, charging $500 per client for your workshop could bring in $5,000 with just 10 participants.
Sara Artemisia
Sara, a life coach and host of The Plant Spirit Podcast, filled her retreats through one of our virtual events. “The virtual event is the most fun I’ve had making money,” she shared. They let your audience learn from you comfortably at home, establish your authority, and build trust, generating more leads.
4. Host a virtual summit
A virtual workshop usually features one coach. A virtual summit is a larger event with multiple experts that allows for a richer experience and can quickly attract new clients.
Established professionals can charge higher rates as a life coach. Their earnings are typically between $2,000 and $10,000 per summit, depending on the audience and setting. Personally, I earned $50,000 from my first summit.
Carl Cincinnato
Carl founded Migraine World Summit and is one of our success stories at EHQ. Before joining us, he had a modest following and wanted to grow. After implementing our virtual summit system, his email list skyrocketed to over 100,000 subscribers.
Did those subscribers turn into paying clients? Absolutely.
Virtual summits can drive impressive growth for your business. Featuring well-known speakers and industry leaders positions you as a trustworthy guide.
5. Lead with value
As a life coach, your job is to help clients live better lives. Always show how you can support them, whether through a phone call, social media post, or marketing material.
Clients want to know how you can help them reach their goals. By highlighting the value of your coaching program, you build trust.
Lisa Jones
Lisa is a life coach known for putting her clients first through a free introductory coaching session. Her website demonstrates how coaching helps people overcome challenges and make positive changes.
In her coaching package, she helps them clarify their life goals and supports them through their fears and doubts.
The key takeaway? Always prioritize value for every client. Don’t judge them by how much they spend. Every client matters, so make sure they can feel that.
Factors That Impact How Much Life Coaches Make
Several factors impact your income potential as a life coach. Here’s what you should know:
Specialization
Generalist coaches who can “help with anything” don’t have the authority or specialized knowledge to be effective at anything. Specialization in high-demand areas, like career transitions, business growth, or executive coaching, is the key to standing out and charging premium rates.
Experience and credentials
A new coach can earn around $30,000 annually, while those with 10+ years can hit $100,000 or more. You don’t need a life coach certification to become one. However, clients are likelier to pay premium rates to coaches with extensive experience or credentials from accredited programs like ICF (International Coaching Federation).
Geographic location
In a 2023 ICF global coaching study, a life coach in North America can make around $62,500 annually. This can vary in regions like Oceania and Western Europe, where averages are slightly lower.
Client load
The average life coach serves about 12 clients at a time. More clients can lead to higher earnings.
Session rates
A coaching package and its pricing vary from $100 per session to $2,500 for package deals, depending on your expertise and demand.
How To Increase Your Life Coach Earnings
How do coach practitioners worldwide grow their business? Here are five proven ways to make money as a coach:
1. Pick a specific focus
Clients want coaches with a clear focus. Specializing in one area helps you stand out and charge more. Make your niche a central part of your branding to become the go-to coach in that field.
2. High-ticket programs
High-ticket programs let you work closely with clients and deliver more value than one-off sessions. Focus on solving a major problem clients want help with, like executive leadership skills. A high-ticket offer can bring in thousands per client and scale your earning potential fast.
3. Group coaching
Group coaching helps you serve more clients at once. Clients also enjoy connecting with others who are going through similar challenges. Start with a small group for exclusivity. Even charging less per person than one-on-one rates can add up to solid income.
4. Raise your rates gradually
With more experience, you can charge higher for new clients and eventually phase out old rates for existing clients. Increasing your rates reflects your value as a trusted coach.
5. Use client testimonials
Testimonials show new clients what’s possible with your coaching. Ask clients for feedback and share it on your website, newsletters, and social media. Testimonials build trust and make clients feel confident choosing you.
How Do You Become A Life Coach?
Starting your coaching business can be challenging, but with a clear plan, you can build an impactful and financially rewarding career.
Think of what you’re passionate about. Choose a coaching niche to help you stand out and increase your life coach earnings.
If you’re passionate about helping people overcome limiting beliefs, choose mindset coaching. If career progression is your strength, become a career coach guiding clients through job changes.
Define your audience
Identifying your target audience is how you connect with the right clients. Who are the people you’d enjoy helping? Who would benefit from your approach?
Students needing guidance for the next steps in life? Professionals seeking a better work-life balance? Executives sharpening their leadership skills?
Narrowing down on a particular group will allow you to market yourself better and craft your messaging to resonate with that audience.
Create a business plan
A business plan is your roadmap for sustainable growth. Outline your coaching services, pricing packages, and specific goals for your coaching business. Define your strategies for reaching potential clients through networking, social media, being a guest on podcasts, or hosting virtual summits and workshops.
Organizing these details gives you a clearer vision for scaling your services and a practical guide to tracking your progress.
Build an online presence
An online presence is vital, especially in today’s digital-first world. A website with clear information about your coaching program, testimonials from past clients, and a blog or resources section can showcase your expertise.
Share valuable content on social media, like tips, case studies, and success stories, to connect with potential clients.
Networking
Use networking to find clients and establish authority. Attend virtual events, join groups on LinkedIn and Facebook, and participate in industry conferences. Collaborate with other coaches for new perspectives and build your network.
Keep learning
The journey to a successful coaching business isn’t always a straight line. Try different approaches to find what clicks with your ideal clients. Learn new techniques and stay updated on industry trends to improve your services. Courses, coaching certifications, and mentorship can refine your coaching style, add credibility, and inspire confidence in your future clients.
Remember, it takes time to grow, especially for aspiring life coaches. Stay patient, and don’t hesitate to adjust your approach as you go. Every step gets you closer to success.
Still need additional assistance? Grab our blueprint for building a million-dollar coaching business.