A realistic overview of a yoga instructor salary

How much does a typical yoga teacher make? This is a common question posed by yoga enthusiasts and those interested in pursuing a part-time or full-time career teaching yoga. It's natural to wonder what a yoga instructor's salary is before pursuing that career path so that you can set realistic expectations.

There is no upper limit to how much money you can make as a yoga instructor, regardless of how much the average yoga teacher makes. Remember that what you can achieve and earn is ultimately determined by the value you provide and how much you value serving others.

To give you an idea of how to begin and what to expect, this Workee article will discuss the supposed average salary of a yoga instructor.

The average salary of a yoga instructor

According to a top job board Zippia, the average salary for a yoga instructor in the U.S. is approximately $46,000 annually. However, this figure can vary greatly based on pertinent factors like location, experience, awareness, etc. For instance, while an experienced and popular yoga teacher in a major city might earn upwards of $100,000 per year, a part-time instructor in a small town might earn only a fraction of that amount within the same period.

We will briefly discuss the factors that influence a yoga instructor's salary; let's first talk about the hourly pay of an instructor.

Yoga instructor's salary per hour

Still quoting Zippia, the average hourly wage for a yoga instructor in the United States is approximately $22. Instructors at the entry-level earn less than the quoted amount, while more experienced yoga teachers earn significantly higher than $22 per hour. However, as emphasized previously, other factors influence the outcome regarding yoga teacher's salary.

Factors that influence yoga instructor salary

Various factors, including education and certification, experience, expertise, location, and awareness, can influence a yoga instructor's average salary. Let's expound on these factors and how they can affect your earnings.

1. Education and certification

Teaching yoga is a skill that requires some learned knowledge and certifications. Of course, you may decide to start teaching yoga out of the experience, but certifications often add credibility and trust, which is what many students will look out for.

Also, yoga schools and studios require their teachers to have a minimum education and certification before being hired. Some may offer higher salaries to those with advanced degrees or certifications. This is, however, for those seeking employment in an established yoga studio.

A certified yoga instructor from a reputable organization can help increase a teacher's credibility and marketability, leading to more opportunities for a higher-paying salary.

2. Experience

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Experience can greatly affect a yoga teacher's salary. With more experience, yoga teachers may be able to command a higher rate for their classes or private sessions as they have honed their skills and developed a reputation in the industry. Zippia reports that experienced instructors on the senior level grade earn an average of $54,000 per annum, while instructors on the opposite end earn an average yoga salary of $33,000.

In addition, more experienced yoga teachers may be eligible for higher-paying positions, such as lead instructor or studio manager.

3. Location

This factor plays a major role in determining the salary of a yoga instructor. To put this in perspective, while the average salary of instructors in California, USA, is approximately $58,000, their counterparts in Ohio have an average of $27,950 per year. While trying to fix a rate for your yoga coaching service, you must understand what is obtainable within your immediate environment and work accordingly.

Location, in turn, is influenced by various factors such as the cost of living, demand for yoga classes, competition, etc. In general, cities with a higher cost of living and higher demand for yoga classes tend to offer higher salaries to yoga teachers.

4. Area of expertise

According to Payscale, Yoga instructors with expertise in pain management have the potential to earn higher wages for their services. Likewise, Zippia indicates that yoga instructors earn a higher average with strength and conditioning-building expertise. This emphasizes that the area of expertise can affect your earnings. For example, yoga teachers with specialized training in therapy, prenatal yoga, or athletic styles of yoga may command higher salaries than those without such training.

Additionally, yoga teachers who have a large following and are well-known in the community may also earn higher salaries. The demand for a particular area of expertise and the overall demand for yoga can also impact a yoga teacher's salary.

How to upscale your earnings as a yoga instructor

Earning a living while doing something you love is a dream come true. However, it's not uncommon to reach a point where you feel like you're not earning enough and want to upscale your income. Here are some tips to help you do just that.

1. Specialize in a specific area: Specializing in a specific area of yoga, such as pain management or yoga for athletes, can help you differentiate yourself from other yoga instructors and attract a specific clientele interested in that type of yoga. This allows you to charge a higher rate for your services as you are seen as an expert in your field.

2. Expand your reach: long gone are the days when you are restricted to only your locality as a yoga instructor. Now, instructors have the internet and social media to reach a broader audience while diversifying their income streams through online coaching, consultations, blogging, podcasts, writing, ebooks, etc.

Online yoga practice is rising, and every instructor should utilize the internet to widen their profit bracket.

Recommendation: to practice virtual yoga coaching effectively, you'll need digital tools to help you easily manage your sessions and business. One such tool, and probably the only one you'll ever need, is the Workee all-in-one solution.

Workee is an all-in-one solution that includes a booking and scheduling function, reminder, video communication, client relationship management function, and a financial hub.

As a yoga instructor, your clients may book sessions with you from your Workee personal website (oh, I forgot to mention, Workee gives you a free no-code personal website to promote your brand). You may also hold sessions using the Workee video conferencing tool and get paid directly by linking your PayPal account. Want to know more? Sign up on Workee here.

1. Design private classes: Private classes are a great way to earn more as a yoga instructor, as they typically pay more per hour than group classes. You can offer private classes in person or via video conferencing, making reaching clients easily not within your locality.

2. Get certified in additional areas: Becoming certified in areas such as anatomy and physiology or nutrition can give you additional skills to offer clients and increase your credibility as a yoga instructor. You can also consider getting certified in other related fields to broaden your offerings and help you earn more.

Conclusion

Most yoga instructors practice independently, giving room to decide what you want to earn. The good thing is that there is no minimum or maximum rate. However, you do not arbitrarily set outrageous rates to make money. But you can creatively add value to your service and charge a premium for delivering effectively. Always put your students' needs first and be committed to your personal and professional growth.