ICF STUDY 2023

Global Growth and Income Overview

The study unveils that the coaching profession, undeterred by the pandemic, has expanded rapidly. By 2022, the number of coach practitioners globally surpassed 100,000, marking a 54% increase from 2019. This growth reflects the profession's resilience and the increasing demand for coaching services worldwide.

Global Reach: Significant growth in Asia (+86%), the Middle East and Africa (+74%), and Eastern Europe (+59%) shows how global demand for coaching is skyrocketing.

Regional Insights on Earnings

• Asia: Out of 8,600 coach practitioners, 88% are actively coaching, generating an average annual income of $33,900 each, contributing to a total revenue of $248 million USD.

• Eastern Europe: With 10,000 practitioners, 89% active, coaches earn an average of $18,700 annually, leading to a regional revenue of $161 million USD.

• Latin America and the Caribbean: The region's 16,900 practitioners, 87% of whom are active, make an average of $22,900, amounting to $332 million USD in revenue.

• Middle East and Africa: Here, 4,900 coaches are active at a rate of 85%, each earning $29,600 on average and a collective revenue of $118 million USD.

• North America: Boasting the highest earnings, 34,200 coaches with a 93% activity rate make an average of $67,800, totaling a massive $2,088 million USD in revenue.

• Oceania: The 3,700 coaches in this region, 92% active, earn an average of $58,800, contributing to a total of $195 million USD.

• Western Europe: This region's 30,800 practitioners, 92% active, make an average of $52,400 each, with a total revenue of $1,421 million USD.

• Globally: On a worldwide scale, the estimated 109,200 coach practitioners, 91% of whom are active, earn an average annual income from coaching of $52,800, generating a substantial total revenue of $4,564 million USD.

  
  

  

The provided data from the 2023 ICF Global Coaching Study

Average Fees and Clientele

Amount to Charge: The overall average fee per one-hour session is $244. However, this can vary by region and your level of experience. For instance, in North America, the average fee is around $272, and in Western Europe, it's $277. Adjust your rates according to your region and expertise.

Session Length: While the study does not specify an ideal session length, the standard industry practice ranges from 45 minutes to an hour per session. You might consider starting with this range and adjust based on client needs and feedback.

The study notes an average fee of $244 per one-hour coaching session globally, with fees ranging from $277 in Western Europe to $114 in Latin America and the Caribbean. These figures highlight the diversity in coaching practices and fee structures across different markets.

• Asia: Coaches charge an average fee of $226 per one-hour session, recover $70 hourly on average, work 9.2 hours per week, and have 11.5 active clients.

• Eastern Europe: The average fee per one-hour session is $138, with coaches recovering $47 hourly, working 7.7 hours per week, and managing 8.4 active clients.

• Latin America and the Caribbean: Here, coaches have an average fee of $114 per hour, earn $38 hourly, work 11.4 hours weekly, and serve 10.2 active clients.

• Middle East and Africa: The average fee for a one-hour session is $165, with an hourly recovery of $62, 9.1 working hours per week, and 11 active clients.

• North America: Coaches earn the highest with an average fee of $272 per hour, $98 hourly revenue, 13.3 hours worked per week, and 13.5 active clients.

• Oceania: The average session fee is $259, hourly revenue stands at $85, with coaches working 13.3 hours per week and having 13.8 active clients.

• Western Europe: Coaches charge an average of $277 per hour, recover $84 hourly, work for 12 hours per week, and have 11.5 active clients.

• Globally: On average, coaches charge $244 per one-hour session, recover $85 hourly, work 11.9 hours per week, and have 12.2 active clients.

The provided data from the 2023 ICF Global Coaching Study

The Impact of Experience and Specialization

Experience plays a crucial role in a coach's earning potential. More experienced coaches not only charge higher fees but also tend to have more clients and spend more hours coaching weekly. Additionally, those specializing in business coaching often report above-average revenues, reflecting the high demand and value of their expertise.

Age Group:

The study shows that clients aged between 35 and 44 years are most frequently in receipt of coaching services. Targeting this age group can be advantageous as they are often in key stages of their career or personal development and are likely seeking coaching services.

Client Demographics and Preferences: The majority of coaching clients are managers (31%) or executives (25%), indicating a strong market in the corporate sector. Additionally, more than half of the coaching clients are female (58%), and the most common age group receiving coaching services is between 35 and 44 years.

Sponsored vs. Primary Clients

Coaches with a higher proportion of sponsored clients (those whose coaching is paid for by someone other than the client) tend to earn higher fees and annual revenues. This trend underscores the significance of corporate and organizational clients in the coaching business model.

Looking Ahead

As the coaching profession continues to evolve, practitioners remain optimistic about their financial prospects. The majority anticipate growth in their annual revenue, driven by an increase in coaching sessions and client numbers.

Conclusion

Specialization: Specializing in areas like business coaching or executive coaching can lead to higher income, as these areas tend to attract clients with larger budgets.

Certification and Credentials: Having a certification or credential from a recognized coaching organization can significantly impact your attractiveness to potential clients. 85% of coach practitioners in the study hold a certification/credential from a coaching organization.

Experience: More experienced coaches tend to charge higher fees and have more clients. Continuously improving your skills and building your experience can justify higher rates and attract more clients.

Additional Services: Offering services in addition to coaching, such as consulting or training, can provide additional revenue streams and make you more attractive to clients seeking comprehensive solutions.

The 2023 ICF Global Coaching Study not only demonstrates the financial viability of coaching as a profession but also emphasizes the diverse factors influencing coaches' earnings. With its expansive growth and optimistic outlook, coaching emerges as a rewarding career path, both in terms of personal fulfillment and financial returns.