⚽︎ Can Private Soccer Coaching Be a Viable Source of Income?
If you’ve ever considered turning your passion for soccer into a source of income, you’re not alone. With youth soccer participation growing and parents increasingly willing to invest in personalized training for their kids, private soccer coaching has become one of the fastest-growing niches in youth sports.
But the big question remains:
Can private soccer coaching actually be a viable — and sustainable — source of income?
Short answer: Absolutely — if you structure it the right way.
In this article, I’ll break down earning potential, what you need to get started, how much coaches typically charge, and strategies to turn coaching from a side gig into a full-time living.
⚽︎ Why the Demand for Private Soccer Coaching Is Rising
Parents and players are seeking more individualized training than what they get from club or school teams.
Key reasons include:
Team practices are crowded — players don’t always get personalized feedback.
Competition is increasing — academies, college recruiting, and travel teams push players to seek more development.
Parents value expert instruction — and are willing to pay for it.
Players want an edge — 1:1 coaching accelerates skill growth faster.
This means private coaching fills a gap that team training simply can’t.
⚽︎ How Much Money Do Private Soccer Coaches Make?
Earnings depend on location, credentials, and volume — but the numbers may surprise you.
Average Hourly Rates
Newer coaches: $30–$50/hr
Experienced/credentialed coaches: $60–$100/hr
Specialists (keeper trainers, ex-pros, advanced licensing): $100–$150+/hr
Some coaches build scalable income through:
Small-group training
Camps and clinics
Digital training programs
Membership-based academies
Sample Earning Breakdown
If you charge $60/hr and train:
10 players/week → $600/week → ~$2,400/month
20 players/week → $1,200/week → ~$4,800/month
Group sessions at $20–$30/player with 6–8 players can easily outperform 1:1 sessions.
Yes — coaching can absolutely become a full-time income.
⚽︎ What You Need to Get Started
You don’t need to have been an ex pro or have any elite licenses to begin. Most successful private coaches start with:
Solid soccer knowledge
Experience playing or coaching is enough to get started.
A structured training plan
Parents pay for professionalism, progression, and results.
A safe training space
Public fields, parks, indoor turf rentals, or private facilities.
Basic training equipment
Cones, balls, ladder, mini-goals — around $150–$300 to start.
Liability insurance
Highly recommended (typically $200–$300/year).
A simple way for clients to book sessions
Calendars, scheduling apps, or even a basic website.
That’s it — surprisingly low startup requirements for a high-earning side business.
⚽︎ How to Build a Profitable Private Soccer Coaching Business
Here’s where most private soccer coaches get stuck — not in the coaching itself, but in building a business around their own coaching.
Start with your immediate network
Tell local parents, friends, past teammates, and other coaches. Your first 3–5 clients will almost always come from people who already know you or who you have spoken to.
Build social proof
Post:
Training clips
Before/after skill comparisons
Player success stories
Parents will trust visible results.
Use small-group soccer training to scale
Group soccer sessions helps you to increase your hourly income and make your training more affordable for families.
Example:
8 players × $25/player = $200/hour
That’s how full-time income becomes achievable.
Offer packages instead of single sessions
Packages increase commitment and revenue consistency.
Examples:
4-session package
8-session package
Monthly membership
Specialize if possible
Stand out by focusing on:
Striker training
Goalkeeper development
Speed & agility
First touch mastery
College-prep mentoring
Specialists charge more and attract more serious players.
⚽︎ Is Private Soccer Coaching a Sustainable Career Long-Term?
Yes — but sustainability comes from diversification.
Successful long-term private soccer coaches often add:
Seasonal camps
Holiday clinics
Online programs
Strength & conditioning add-ons
Partnerships with clubs
Branded training merch
Mini-academies with multiple coaches
Private soccer coaching can start as a $40/hour side hustle — and scale into a fully developed business with recurring revenue.
⚽︎ Is Private Soccer Coaching a Viable Source of Income?
Yes. Very much so.
Whether you’re looking for:
A flexible side hustle
Supplemental income
A full-time coaching career
A scalable training academy
Private soccer coaching can deliver — as long as you approach it strategically.
⚽︎ Ready to turn your passion for coaching into a profitable, fully booked business?
Join my Make Money Coaching Soccer Program — the only step-by-step system that helps private soccer coaches attract more clients, raise their fees, and build a brand that stands out in a crowded market.
⚽︎ What Factors Influence My Private Soccer Coaching Prices?
As a private soccer trainer, one of the most common questions you’ll face—both from yourself and from parents—is: “Why do your soccer lessons cost what they do?”
Pricing your training sessions shouldn’t feel like guesswork. The truth is, your rates should reflect the real value you bring, the market you serve, and the business you’re running. Whether you're just starting out or refining your existing pricing model, understanding the factors that influence your lesson cost is key to building a profitable, sustainable coaching business.
Let’s break down the major factors that should shape your soccer lesson pricing.
Your Experience, Credentials & Track Record
Parents and players don’t just pay for a 60-minute session—they pay for your expertise.
Your price should increase when you offer:
National or international coaching licenses (USSF, UEFA, etc.)
Strength and conditioning certifications
College, academy, or pro playing experience
History of developing players who moved to higher-level teams
Niche expertise (speed, striker training, GK training)
The more unique or proven your skill set, the higher the value you provide.
Your Training Style & Program Structure
Not all private sessions are equal. Your pricing should reflect your approach.
Ask yourself:
Is your training highly customized per athlete?
Do you create long-term player development plans?
Do you focus on technical, tactical, physical, or hybrid programs?
Do you track player progress using technology or evaluations?
Do you offer video analysis or feedback?
A trainer who designs structured, progressive training programs should charge more than someone who “just runs drills.”
Your Location & Local Market Rates
Your location has a big impact on pricing.
In some cities, $40 per hour is high. In others, $120 is normal.
Influencing factors:
Local cost of living
The competitiveness of youth soccer in your area
The presence of elite academies or clubs
Average household income in your target neighborhoods
Research what other trainers charge—but also make sure your value matches or exceeds your competition.
Group Size & Session Format
Different formats justify different rates.
Common structures:
1-on-1 training: highest price per session
Small groups (2–4 players): lower price per player, higher total revenue
Team sessions: flat rate
Clinics & camps: variable pricing based on duration and capacity
Offering multiple session types can increase your earning potential without raising your individual rates too frequently.
Equipment, Tech & Training Tools
If you invest more in your craft, your pricing should reflect it.
Examples:
Speed & agility equipment
Cones, poles, hurdles, ladders
GPS trackers or heart-rate monitors
Ball machines or passing machines
Video-analysis software
Renting turf or field space
Parents appreciate when a trainer uses professional tools—they also understand that higher-level equipment leads to higher-level pricing.
Business Costs You Have to Cover
Your hourly rate is not your profit.
Your soccer training business may include:
Liability insurance
Field rental fees
Travel expenses
Business taxes
Marketing (website, ads, branding)
Admin time (scheduling, communication, planning sessions)
Many trainers underprice because they forget to factor in the “invisible” cost of doing business.
Your Brand, Demand & Availability
Your reputation eventually becomes one of your most powerful pricing tools.
You can increase your rates if:
You’re consistently booked out
Players refer others without you asking
Your social content builds authority
Parents view you as a long-term development partner
You specialize in building top-tier athletes
If demand is high, your pricing should match that momentum.
Seasonality & Soccer Calendar
The time of year matters.
Peak demand:
Pre-season
Tryout periods
Summer breaks
Low demand:
Winter (depending on your location)
During school exams
Directly after the season ends
Some trainers adjust pricing slightly to reflect these cycles or offer packages that keep income consistent year-round.
Charge Based on Value, Not Guesswork
Your soccer lesson pricing should reflect what you bring to the table, not what you think parents “want to pay.” When you’re confident in your expertise and understand the business factors behind your rate, you can charge fairly and sustainably—while delivering exceptional training.
Interested in Help Setting Your Pricing Strategy?
If you want personalized guidance on:
Structuring your packages
Understanding your value
Setting competitive but profitable rates
Scaling your private training business
👉 Book a FREE 15-minute strategy call with me.
I’ll help you build a pricing model that supports your growth as a top-tier private soccer trainer.
Just let me know, and I’ll send the link!