The average coach earned £30,000 for their services in the past 12 months – but coaching was not the only source of income for 77 per cent of them.

These were just some of the results from Meyler Campbell’s 2009 Business of Coaching survey. It also revealed that 70 per cent of coaches have fewer than 10 clients at any one time.

Sixty per cent of coaching assignments were paid for by organisations, with 22 per cent being funded by individuals for themselves – a similar result to the 2008 survey.

Less than 50 per cent of coaches were asked to provide formal arrangements to structure their coaching, such as a coaching contract, professional indemnity insurance or terms and conditions.

The trend towards accreditation has continued to grow since 2008, with 74 per cent of coaches currently members of an accredited body. The AC was the most commonly reported in the 2009 survey (59 per cent) followed by the ICF (29 per cent). Eleven per cent of respondents reported that they charged for a chemistry session.

 The survey found large variations in the fee rates quoted for different coaching arrangements (see table, below).

How much would you charge for…?

Arrangement  Average Lowest Highest
One coaching session of up to two hours £400 £20 £4,000
Chemistry meeting and three coaching sessions £1,230 £30 £7,500
Chemistry meeting and six coaching sessions £2,400 £50 £15,000


Volume 4, Issue 6