If you’re the type who loves being on the field, surrounded by cleats, cones, and kids trying to curve the ball like Messi, becoming a youth soccer coach might be the side hustle you’ve been sleeping on. Not only does it let you stay close to a sport you love, but it also opens up some pretty decent income opportunities—especially if you’re down to get creative, put in the work, and treat it like a real business instead of just a hobby.
Alright, let’s talk real numbers first because that’s probably what you’re wondering. Can you actually make money doing this? The short answer is: yeah, you definitely can. But how much depends on where you live, your credentials, and how you package your services. A coach running three teams in Southern California might clear around $46,000 a year. Meanwhile, someone in Michigan might be looking at something closer to $5,000 per team per season. And over in Washington State, coaches with higher-level licenses like the USSF C or B licenses are raking in $10,000 to $20,000 per team. So yeah, credentials matter—and your zip code might matter even more.
If you’re just getting started, don’t stress. Nobody expects you to roll in with a whistle and a USSF A license on day one. A good first step is picking up the grassroots license, which gives you the basics and shows parents and clubs that you’ve got some formal knowledge under your belt. It’s not technically required to get started—some clubs will let you volunteer without it—but having that certification gives you a leg up if you want this to be more than a weekend gig.
Now, if you’re totally new to coaching, don’t assume that you have to know everything on day one. Volunteering is honestly one of the best ways to break in. Join a local club, offer to help out, and start learning from the people who’ve been doing it a while. It builds your skills, gives you exposure, and shows your community that you’re committed—not just some parent who wandered onto the field by accident. One coach shared how he took every little opportunity he could early on—summer camps, rec leagues, anything—and slowly built a reputation that got him steady clients for private training sessions.
That kind of hustle is what separates the dabblers from the coaches who really turn this into a solid income stream. Another example that stuck out? A former college coach who now earns about $60K a year by running three youth teams and offering skills clinics on the side. That’s the magic combo right there—team coaching plus clinics or private training. You’re diversifying your income, reaching different types of clients, and maximizing the time you spend out on the field.
It’s not just about the money either. Ask any coach who’s been doing this for a while, and they’ll tell you—what keeps them coming back isn’t the paycheck. It’s seeing kids gain confidence, learn teamwork, grow into better players (and humans), and sometimes even go on to play at a higher level. There’s something pretty awesome about knowing you were a part of that.
Still, let’s not sugarcoat it—coaching takes time and energy, and juggling it with a full-time job can feel like a lot. We came across one coach who works in finance by day and coaches two teams after hours. His trick? Planning ahead and being upfront with his family about what to expect. It’s a balance, for sure, but he makes it work by scheduling smart and sticking to routines.
And then there’s the opposite end of the spectrum—another coach who left a six-figure job to coach full-time. He started running private sessions and group training, and the income helped replace the cost of childcare while letting him spend more time with his kids. That kind of lifestyle shift might not be for everyone, but it’s a good reminder that sometimes, when you’re willing to take the leap, your side hustle can become your main hustle.
Coaching isn’t always about climbing the income ladder—it’s also about connection. We read stories about coaches who don’t make much at all, but they stick with it because of how rewarding it feels. Some even pay their own kids’ soccer fees just to stay involved. That’s real love for the game.
But let’s say you’re not just doing it for the good feels. You want to grow this thing. How do you go from “volunteer dad with a clipboard” to running a full-on coaching business?
Start thinking like a small business owner. What do young athletes need? Where are the gaps? Most kids want to improve their footwork, get faster, or prep for tryouts. That’s where private sessions, small group training, and even online content come into play. You could record drills, build out a training plan, or offer virtual feedback sessions—anything that gives parents more value and positions you as an expert.
Also, find your niche. Maybe you’re a whiz at training goalkeepers. Maybe your thing is helping shy kids come out of their shell. Maybe you’ve played at a high level and can offer insights that rec coaches can’t. Whatever your angle is, lean into it. Parents are always looking for coaches who offer something specific that sets them apart from the crowd.
Once you’ve got that down, your branding becomes a big deal. Not like “hire a graphic designer” level branding, but more about how you show up—online, in person, on the field. Are you known for your energy? Your patience? Your killer drills? That stuff matters, especially when word-of-mouth starts spreading. Speaking of which, yes, referrals from happy parents are gold. But don’t just stop there.
Use social media. Seriously. Instagram, TikTok, even YouTube—those platforms are where a lot of today’s parents hang out, and it’s also where their kids are. Share training tips, highlight reels, testimonials—whatever shows your value. If you’re looking for examples of how other side hustlers are using social to grow, this story about someone who used AI to build 3 apps has some interesting takeaways about automation and digital strategy that can easily apply to coaching too.
When you’re ready to scale, think about what’s taking up your time that someone else could do. Hire an assistant coach. Get a VA to help with scheduling. Use booking software to cut down on back-and-forth messages. Maybe even start an online course so you can reach more people without being tied to a field every evening.
One day, if you really want to take it big, you could create a coaching system or curriculum and franchise it out. We’ve seen stories of coaches doing exactly that—starting with one team and ending up with entire programs across multiple cities.
Still on the fence? Look, this isn’t some passive income scheme where you sit back and watch the dollars roll in. This is a hands-on, high-energy, human-driven hustle. But if you love soccer, and you genuinely enjoy working with kids, the return goes way beyond what you see in your bank account.
If you’re just getting started, try tapping into your network. Got a friend with kids in soccer? Offer to help at their next practice. Know someone coaching rec league? Ask if they need an assistant. You’ve got to get your foot in the door, and that door usually opens through real-world relationships.
And while you’re getting your feet wet, check out the USSF grassroots license. It’s a low-cost way to start learning the ropes and setting yourself up for success. Then work your way toward higher-level certifications as your experience grows.
If you want even more inspiration about turning your passion into real income, this post about how one coach made $15,000 online with no special skills might just light a fire under you.
Bottom line: youth soccer coaching is one of those side hustles that can be as big or small as you want it to be. Whether it’s a few hours a week that brings in some cash and a ton of joy—or a full-blown business that changes your life—what you get out of it depends on what you put in.
And if you’re in that early grind, wondering whether it’s even worth chasing, let me remind you—every coach we talked to started somewhere. A pickup game. A volunteer gig. A “sure, I’ll help” moment. And now they’re out there coaching, connecting, and in a lot of cases, cashing in. You could be next.
