First, you need extensive experience playing the sport you wish to instruct. If you have a proven track record, more organizations are likely to hire you as an instructor. Then, you need to get a bachelor’s degree in athletic coaching or sports science if you plan to teach at the high school or university level. In lower levels, certification is often sufficient. A sports coaching certification course includes such study material as principles of strength training, injury prevention, CPR and first aid, coaching methodology, and administration. If you intend to move up in your career, you need to become skilled in administration.

If you are interested in a job related to Sports Instructor, here are some popular related job searches with the most open positions on ZipRecruiter.

Top Types Of Sports Instructor Jobs

List of the top 10 highest paying Sports Instructor positions in 2026, with salary ranges, according to ZipRecruiter.

Five Seasons Sports Clubs
Salary range: $30,000 - $55,000
Five Seasons Sports Clubs is a more unusual job search query but still may give you interesting job results. Most salaries for Five Seasons Sports Clubs jobs pay between $30,000 (25th percentile) and $55,000 (75th percentile) annually. Currently, there are not many open positions nationwide for Five Seasons Sports Clubs job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter. You can take a look at what is available and find similar job searches in this list.
Adaptive Sports Recreation
Salary range: $32,000 - $38,000
Adaptive Sports Recreation is a more unusual job search query but still may give you interesting job results. Most salaries for Adaptive Sports Recreation jobs pay between $32,000 (25th percentile) and $38,000 (75th percentile) annually. Currently, there are not many open positions nationwide for Adaptive Sports Recreation job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter. You can take a look at what is available and find similar job searches in this list.
Nike Athlete
Salary range: $28,000 - $48,000
Nike Athlete is a typical job search query Most salaries for Nike Athlete jobs pay between $28,000 (25th percentile) and $48,000 (75th percentile) annually. Currently, there are not many open positions nationwide for Nike Athlete job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter. You can take a look at what is available and find similar job searches in this list.
Entry Level I9 Sports Referee
Salary range: $25,000 - $46,000
Entry Level I9 Sports Referee is a more unusual job search query but still may give you interesting job results. Most salaries for Entry Level I9 Sports Referee jobs pay between $25,000 (25th percentile) and $46,000 (75th percentile) annually. Currently, there are not many open positions nationwide for Entry Level I9 Sports Referee job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter. You can take a look at what is available and find similar job searches in this list.
Sailing Instructors
Salary range: $33,000 - $39,000
Sailing Instructors is a common job search query. Most salaries for Sailing Instructors jobs pay between $33,000 (25th percentile) and $39,000 (75th percentile) annually. Currently, there are not many open positions nationwide for Sailing Instructors job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter. You can take a look at what is available and find similar job searches in this list.
247 Sports
Salary range: $46,500 - $65,500
247 Sports is a typical job search query Most salaries for 247 Sports jobs pay between $46,500 (25th percentile) and $65,500 (75th percentile) annually. There are plenty of open positions nationwide for 247 Sports job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter.
Karate Coach
Salary range: $34,000 - $42,000
Karate Coach is a more unusual job search query but still may give you interesting job results. Most salaries for Karate Coach jobs pay between $34,000 (25th percentile) and $42,000 (75th percentile) annually. Take a look at the variety of open positions nationwide for Karate Coach job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter.
Manager Bjj
Salary range: $42,000 - $68,500
Manager Bjj is a more unusual job search query but still may give you interesting job results. Most salaries for Manager Bjj jobs pay between $42,000 (25th percentile) and $68,500 (75th percentile) annually. Currently, there are not many open positions nationwide for Manager Bjj job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter. You can take a look at what is available and find similar job searches in this list.
Skate Instructor
Salary range: $32,000 - $50,000
Skate Instructor is a typical job search query Most salaries for Skate Instructor jobs pay between $32,000 (25th percentile) and $50,000 (75th percentile) annually. Currently, there are not many open positions nationwide for Skate Instructor job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter. You can take a look at what is available and find similar job searches in this list.
Skating Instructor
Salary range: $33,000 - $50,000
Skating Instructor is a typical job search query Most salaries for Skating Instructor jobs pay between $33,000 (25th percentile) and $50,000 (75th percentile) annually. Take a look at the variety of open positions nationwide for Skating Instructor job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter.

All Jobs Sports Instructor Jobs 10 of the Most Popular Types of Sports Instructor Jobs in 2026