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Sports instructor

Also called ski teacher, tennis teacher, ski instructor

Sports instructors introduce people to a sport and teach them the skills required for the performance of sport. They have a strong grip on one or more sports, which are often adventure sports, and know how to motivate others and share with them the enjoyment of the activity.

Will there be jobs?Yes, good prospects52 jobs to fill by 2035 for every 100 people doing this work today.Legal, social, cultural and related associate professionalsWhat does it pay?About averageFrom about €1,400 (Bulgaria) to €6,600 (Luxembourg) a month, depending on the country.Estimate · Legal, social, cultural and related associate professionalsWhat do I need to study?Usually post-secondary or a short degree4 in 10 have a degree. 7 in 10 train through vocational routes.Legal, social, cultural and related associate professionalsWill AI change it?LittleLevel 2 of 6. AI could take on part of some tasks, but none fully.Sports coaches, instructors and officials · ILO

What you'd do

Sports coaches, instructors and officials · ILO
  • Identifying strengths and weaknesses of athletes or teams
  • Planning, developing and implementing training and practice sessions
  • Developing, planning and co-ordinating competitive schedules and programmes
  • Motivating and preparing athletes or teams for competitive events or games
  • Formulating competitive strategy, developing game plans and directing athletes and players during games or athletic events
  • Analysing and evaluating athletes' or teams' performances and modifying training programmes
  • Monitoring and analysing technique and performance, and determining how future improvements can be made
  • Officiating at sporting events or athletic competitions to maintain standards of play and to ensure that game rules and safety regulations are observed
  • Recording lapsed time and keeping score during events or competitions
  • Judging the performance of competitors, awarding points, imposing penalties for infractions and determining results
  • Compiling scores and other athletic records
Plan sports instruction programmeInstruct in sportApply risk management in sportsAssess performance in sport eventsPersonalise sports programme+ 9 more essential skills
What the work is like
  • Indoors
  • On your feet most of the day
  • Constant contact with people, including the public
  • Good freedom to decide
  • Usually under 40 hours a week
  • Deadlines now and then
  • Some repetitive tasks
US data: based on the O*NET profile of the US job "Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors"

Will there be jobs?

Yes, good prospects

Many jobs will need filling by 2035.

People working as legal, social, cultural and related associate professionals in the EU
3.99m3.83m4.95m 201520232035

Solid: measured. Dashed: forecast.

Jobs to fill, 2026–2035
915,000 new jobs 1,198,000 replacing leavers
Jobs to fill per 100 people working now
Legal, social, cultural and related associate professionals52
All jobs29
Right now
2 of 27 countries report a shortage of sports coaches, instructors and officials, 9 a surplus.
Sports coaches, instructors and officials · EURES

What does it pay?

About average

Pay depends a lot on the country: from about €1,400 a month (Bulgaria) to €6,600 (Luxembourg), before tax.

Pick a country at the top of the page to see typical pay there, for people under 30, and compared with all jobs.

Among technicians and associate professionals in the EU, women earn 16% less per hour than men. Technicians and associate professionals · Eurostat

What do I need to study?

Usually post-secondary or a short degree

Post-secondary training or a short degree in sports is the usual route.

Highest qualification of legal, social, cultural and related associate professionals (EU, 2025)
Degree 44%Vocational 33%General secondary 15%Basic schooling 8%
Field that teaches it
Sports
Vocational route, EU
7 in 10 trainees in this field
Services graduates in a matching job
59% in the EU

819 institutions in the EU offer services bachelor's degrees. Pick a country at the top of the page to see where to study and the official course finders.

Will AI change it?

Little

AI could take on part of some tasks, but none fully.

How exposed is this job? ILO scale
Very low
Low
Some tasks
Moderate
Significant
High

Average task score 0.37 on a scale from 0 (AI can't do it) to 1 (AI could do it fully).

See the score for each of the 11 tasks
Compiling scores and other athletic records0.67
Developing, planning and co-ordinating competitive schedules and programmes0.50
Monitoring and analysing technique and performance, and determining how future improvements can be made0.44
Planning, developing and implementing training and practice sessions0.39
Analysing and evaluating athletes' or teams' performances and modifying training programmes0.36
Identifying strengths and weaknesses of athletes or teams0.32
Formulating competitive strategy, developing game plans and directing athletes and players during games or athletic events0.30
Recording lapsed time and keeping score during events or competitions0.30
Judging the performance of competitors, awarding points, imposing penalties for infractions and determining results0.29
Motivating and preparing athletes or teams for competitive events or games0.29
Officiating at sporting events or athletic competitions to maintain standards of play and to ensure that game rules and safety regulations are observed0.26

Based on what AI could technically do when assessed in 2025. It is not a forecast for a future year, and not a forecast of job losses. Scores for sports coaches, instructors and officials. Source: ILO (2025), adapted (credits).