How much do yoga teachers get paid? This is a common question for anyone thinking about teaching yoga or planning their finances as a teacher. The simple answer is: it changes a lot. A yoga teacher’s pay, or yoga instructor salary, is not the same everywhere. The average yoga teacher income can be anywhere from a little bit of money for teaching a few classes a week to a good full-time wage. We will look at the different ways teachers get paid and what can make their earnings higher or lower.
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Grasping the Average Yoga Teacher Income
What is the average yoga teacher income? It is hard to give just one number for the average yoga instructor salary. This is because so many things change how much a yoga teacher gets paid. But we can look at common pay ranges.
Many new teachers might make less, maybe around $20 to $30 per class. More experienced teachers, or those teaching in busy cities, could make $50 to $70 or even more per class. If a teacher works many hours or teaches in different places, their total average yoga teacher income each month or year will go up.
Here is a simple idea of the range for the average yoga teacher income:
- Low End: $30,000 per year
- Middle Range: $45,000 to $65,000 per year
- High End: $70,000+ per year
This is just an average. Some teachers make much less, and some make much more. We need to look at all the things that affect how much a yoga teacher makes.
What Changes Yoga Teacher Pay?
Many things play a part in setting yoga teaching rates and the final yoga teacher pay scale. It is not just one thing. It is a mix of where you teach, who you teach, how long you have been teaching, and more.
Where You Teach Matters
The place where you teach yoga greatly affects your pay.
- Yoga Studios: Yoga studio pay can be different from one studio to another. Some studios pay per class. Others might pay an hourly rate. Some might pay a small salary if you work many hours and do other jobs there. Pay might be lower in small towns than in big cities. Studios in rich areas might pay more.
- Gyms: Teaching yoga at a gym can sometimes offer a more steady hourly rate. Gyms often pay their fitness instructors a set amount per hour or per class. This can be less than a yoga studio but might offer more regular work.
- Community Centers: Teaching at a park or community center often pays less. It might be volunteer work or a low hourly wage.
- Corporate Offices: Teaching yoga at companies for employees can pay very well. Companies might pay a high hourly rate or a set fee for a block of classes.
- Schools and Universities: Teaching yoga in schools or colleges might be part of a health program. The pay could be a set salary or an hourly rate that fits the school’s pay scale.
- Private Homes: Teaching one person or a small group in their home can be very good pay. People pay more for special attention. This is a kind of freelance yoga teacher salary.
Your Teaching Experience
How long you have taught yoga changes your pay. New teachers often start with lower pay. They might get fewer classes at a studio. As you teach more, you get better. You learn how to help different people. You build a name for yourself. Studios want teachers with experience because they bring more students. This lets experienced teachers ask for higher yoga teaching rates.
- Beginner Teachers: Might start at $20-$35 per class.
- Experienced Teachers (3-5 years): Could make $40-$60 per class.
- Senior Teachers (5+ years, workshops, trainings): Can make $70+ per class, plus income from other work.
The City or Town You Live In
Living and teaching in a big city like New York or Los Angeles usually means higher pay. The cost of living is higher there. More people might do yoga, and they might have more money to spend on classes. In smaller towns, pay might be lower. There might be fewer studios or less demand for yoga. The average yoga teacher income is tied to the local economy.
How Many Classes You Teach
A teacher who teaches many classes each week will make more money overall than someone who teaches only one or two. Some teachers work almost full-time teaching many classes in different places. Others teach yoga as a side job for extra money. The total yoga teacher wages depend a lot on the number of hours worked.
Your Special Training
Yoga is not just one thing. There are many types. Teachers who get special training in things like:
- Yoga for pregnant women
- Yoga for kids
- Yoga for older people
- Yoga for people with injuries
- Specific styles like Acro Yoga or Yin Yoga
These special skills can help teachers get more or different types of work. They can also ask for higher pay because their skills are not as common. This adds to their yoga teacher earning potential.
Teaching Online
Teaching yoga online became very common. This can change how teachers get paid. Some teach for online platforms and get paid a small amount per student who attends their class. Some build their own online classes or memberships. The pay for online teaching can be very different. It might reach more people but pay less per person. Or, if you have many followers, it could be a good source of freelance yoga teacher salary.
Different Ways Yoga Teachers Get Paid
Yoga teachers do not all get paid the same way. Here are common ways teachers receive their yoga teacher wages.
Pay Per Class
This is a very common way studios pay teachers. They pay a set amount for each class taught.
- Example: A studio pays $40 per class. If you teach 10 classes a week, you make $400 that week.
- Pros: Simple to understand. Can make good money if classes are full.
- Cons: If a class has few students, you still get paid the same, but the studio might lose money. Pay is not steady if class numbers change. Yoga instructor hourly rate is not set; it depends on class length.
Hourly Pay
Some places, like gyms or community centers, pay a set amount for every hour you work. This could include time before and after class.
- Example: A gym pays $25 per hour. A class is 1 hour long, but you are paid for 1.5 hours (setup, class, cleanup). You make $37.50 for that class.
- Pros: More steady pay for your time. Good for shorter classes or places needing setup/cleanup time.
- Cons: May be less than a high per-class rate at a busy studio.
Salary
Less common for regular class teachers, but some teachers get a set salary. This often happens if a teacher works full-time for one place. They might teach many classes, manage the studio, or do other jobs.
- Example: A studio hires a manager/senior teacher for $50,000 per year. They teach some classes but also run the studio.
- Pros: Steady income. Benefits like health insurance might be included.
- Cons: Might work many hours that are not paid extra. Less freedom to teach other places.
Percentage of Class Income
Some studios pay teachers a percentage of what students pay for that specific class. This can be risky but also rewarding.
- Example: A studio charges $20 per student. The teacher gets 50%. If 10 students come, the teacher gets $100. If only 2 come, they get $20.
- Pros: Can make a lot if your classes are very popular. Rewards teachers who build a following.
- Cons: Pay is not steady. Bad weather or slow times mean less pay.
Private Classes
Teaching yoga to one person or a small group in their home or a quiet space. This is often the highest-paying way to teach per hour.
- Example: You charge $80-$150 per hour for a private session.
- Pros: High hourly rate. You set the price. Can build strong connections with students.
- Cons: Need to find your own clients. Travel time might not be paid. Schedule can be less steady than studio classes. This is a big part of a freelance yoga teacher salary.
Workshops and Events
Teachers can run special classes that are longer or focus on one thing. These are called workshops.
- Example: A 3-hour workshop on handstands costs $50 per person. If 15 people come, that is $750. The teacher might split this with the studio.
- Pros: Can make a large amount of money in a short time. Lets teachers share deeper knowledge.
- Cons: Takes time to plan and market. Might only happen a few times a year.
Teacher Trainings
Experienced teachers can train new teachers. This takes a lot of work and knowledge.
- Example: Running a 200-hour yoga teacher training. The price per student is high ($2,000-$4,000+). The lead teacher gets a part of this money.
- Pros: Very high earning potential. Shapes the next group of teachers.
- Cons: Requires deep knowledge, experience, and often special certification. Takes many hours over weeks or months.
Exploring Different Teaching Places
Let’s look closer at yoga studio pay and other places you might teach.
Yoga Studio Pay
Most yoga teachers start here. Yoga studio pay is often the base for a yoga instructor salary. Studios range from small local spots to large chains.
- Small Local Studios: Often have a strong community feel. Pay might be lower per class, but they might be more flexible with scheduling. Pay is usually per class ($25-$50).
- Large Chain Studios: Can offer more classes and a steadier schedule. Pay might be a set rate per class, sometimes with a small bonus if many students attend. Pay might be slightly lower per class than high-end local studios ($30-$45).
- High-End / Boutique Studios: Located in wealthier areas. Often charge higher prices for classes. Pay per class can be higher ($40-$70+), but they might expect teachers to have a lot of experience or a special following.
Studio pay models often change based on class size. Some studios have a tiered system:
| Number of Students | Pay Per Class |
|---|---|
| 1-5 students | $30 |
| 6-10 students | $40 |
| 11-15 students | $50 |
| 16+ students | $60 |
This makes the yoga teacher wages tied to how popular their classes are.
Teaching at Gyms
Gyms are common places for yoga classes. The pay structure is often different from studios. Gyms usually pay an hourly rate for fitness instructors, and yoga teachers fit into this.
- Typical Gym Pay: $20-$35 per hour.
- Class Length: Often 45 minutes to 1 hour.
- Total per Class: If paid $30/hour for a 1-hour class, you make $30. If paid for setup/cleanup, maybe $30/hour for 1.5 hours = $45.
- Pros: Steady hourly rate. Can teach many classes back-to-back. Often in places people already go to exercise.
- Cons: Pay per class might be less than at a studio. Might be seen more as a “fitness class” than deep yoga.
Teaching in Corporate Settings
More companies are bringing yoga to the workplace. This is a growing area for yoga teacher earning potential.
- How it Works: A company hires a teacher to come to their office. Classes might be at lunch or after work.
- Pay: Often a high hourly rate or a fixed fee per class. $75-$150 per hour is common.
- Pros: High pay rate. Can be a steady booking each week. Students are often the same, building connection.
- Cons: Need to find these jobs. Might require travel to the office. Schedule needs to fit the company’s hours.
Teaching Private Sessions
This is teaching one person or a small private group. It is part of being a freelance yoga teacher.
- Pay: $80-$200+ per hour, based on location, teacher’s experience, and student’s needs.
- Pros: Highest hourly pay potential. Very personal way to teach. Can build deep trust.
- Cons: Need to find and keep clients yourself. Schedule can be less regular. Requires travel.
Teaching Online
The internet lets teachers reach students anywhere. This can be through live classes or recorded videos.
- Live Online Classes: Teach using Zoom or other tools. Pay can be per student (like a studio class online) or a set fee if the teacher runs their own business.
- Recorded Classes/Memberships: Create videos students can watch anytime. Teachers charge a monthly fee for access. Pay depends on how many subscribers you have.
- Online Platforms: Teach classes for big online yoga websites. They pay based on views or attendance. Pay per class can be very low, but you can reach many people.
- Online Earning Potential: Very wide range. Could be very little at first, or very high if you build a large following or successful membership site. This is a key part of the freelance yoga teacher salary today.
Yoga Instructor Hourly Rate vs. Per Class Rate
Let’s look closer at the difference between the yoga instructor hourly rate and the pay per class.
- Yoga Instructor Hourly Rate: You get paid for the time you are working. If the class is 1 hour, and setup/cleanup takes 15 mins before and 15 mins after, you might get paid for 1.5 hours. If your hourly rate is $30, you make $45 for the class. This is clear and steady for the time spent.
- Pay Per Class: You get a set amount for teaching the class, no matter how long the class is (usually 60-75 minutes) or how many students are there. If the studio pays $50 per class, you make $50 for the class. Your actual hourly rate changes based on how many minutes the class is. A $50 class that is 75 minutes long is about $40/hour. A $50 class that is 60 minutes long is $50/hour.
Which is better? It depends.
- If you value getting paid for all your time, hourly is clear.
- If you teach popular classes in a busy studio, pay per class might lead to higher pay per minute of teaching the class itself.
- Gyms often use hourly rates. Studios often use per-class rates or a mix based on attendance.
Understanding the yoga teacher pay scale involves looking at both how much you get per class or per hour, and how many classes or hours you work each week.
Freelance Yoga Teacher Salary vs. Studio Employee
Most yoga teachers are not employees with a salary and benefits. They work as independent contractors or freelancers. This means their pay is their gross income, and they handle their own taxes.
Freelance Yoga Teacher Salary
- Works for themselves.
- Gets paid per class, per hour, or per student by different places (studios, gyms, companies, private clients).
- Sets their own schedule (mostly).
- Manages their own business: finding work, doing taxes, getting insurance.
- Income can change a lot week to week.
- Potential to make more if they are good at finding work and building their own brand.
- Yoga teacher earning potential is directly tied to their effort in finding work and managing their business.
Studio Employee
- Works for one studio or company as an employee.
- Might get a salary or a set hourly wage with regular hours.
- Could get benefits like health insurance or paid time off (rare for class teachers, more for managers).
- The studio handles taxes from their pay.
- Schedule is set by the employer.
- Income is steady.
- Less freedom, but more security.
Most teachers start as freelancers, working at several studios or gyms. Building a steady freelance yoga teacher salary takes time and work.
Raising Your Yoga Teacher Earning Potential
If you want to make more money as a yoga teacher, there are ways to increase your yoga teacher earning potential.
Get More Training and Specializations
Learning to teach specific types of yoga can open new doors and let you charge more. This could be:
- Kids Yoga
- Prenatal Yoga
- Therapeutic Yoga (for health issues)
- Advanced Teacher Training (like 300-hour)
- Workshops on anatomy, philosophy, or specific yoga poses
These special skills make you more valuable and can lead to higher-paying jobs like private sessions or special workshops.
Build Your Reputation and Following
Students come back to teachers they like and trust. Building a good name in your community helps fill your classes. This makes you a valuable teacher to studios.
- Teach good classes that help people.
- Connect with your students.
- Be reliable and professional.
- Use social media to share your love for yoga and tell people about your classes.
A strong following can lead to more classes, better pay rates, and opportunities for workshops or retreats.
Diversify Your Income Streams
Do not just teach studio classes. Think about adding other ways to make money:
- Private yoga lessons
- Teaching at companies or schools
- Teaching online classes or building a membership site
- Leading workshops or retreats
- Writing a blog or book
- Creating yoga products (like guides or videos)
- Offering teacher training (when you have enough experience)
Having many sources of yoga teacher income makes your overall earnings more stable and higher. This is key for a strong freelance yoga teacher salary.
Teach More Classes
This is simple: teaching more classes means more yoga teacher wages. If you can teach at different times of day and in different places, you can fill your schedule more.
Ask for Higher Pay (With Experience)
As you get more experience and build a following, you can talk to studios or gyms about raising your yoga teaching rates. Show them your classes are full and students love you. Be ready to explain your value.
The Yoga Teacher Pay Scale Over Time
Let’s look at how the yoga teacher pay scale might change as a teacher gains years of service.
| Experience Level | Typical Per Class Rate | Other Income Sources | Estimated Annual Income Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Teacher (0-1 yr) | $20 – $35 | Maybe a few privates, subbing classes | $10,000 – $30,000 (often part-time) |
| Mid-Level (1-5 yrs) | $35 – $50 | Regular studio classes, maybe some gym/corporate, some privates | $30,000 – $50,000+ (can be full-time hours) |
| Experienced (5+ yrs) | $50 – $70+ | Full schedule of classes, regular privates, workshops, maybe online | $50,000 – $70,000+ (strong full-time or mixing sources) |
| Senior/Lead (10+ yrs) | $60 – $100+ | Lead teacher trainings, retreats, high-end privates, online platform/brand, corporate contracts | $70,000 – $100,000+ (often running own business) |
This table gives an idea, but remember, location, number of hours worked, and how well the teacher runs their business make a big difference in the actual yoga teacher income. The yoga teacher earning potential grows a lot with experience and smart business choices.
Costs for Yoga Teachers
It’s important to remember that the money a yoga teacher gets is not all profit. There are costs involved in being a yoga teacher, especially for freelancers. These costs affect the true yoga teacher earning potential.
- Training and Certifications: Getting your first teacher training (200 hours) costs money ($1,000 – $3,000+). Getting more training costs more.
- Insurance: Teachers need liability insurance in case a student gets hurt. This costs money each year ($150 – $300+).
- Continuing Education: Teachers should keep learning by taking workshops or classes. This costs money.
- Travel: Driving or taking transport to different teaching locations costs money (gas, public transport fees).
- Props and Equipment: While studios have most things, teachers might buy their own mat, blocks, straps, music player, or online teaching tools (camera, mic).
- Business Costs: Website, marketing materials, accounting software, lawyer fees for contracts (if needed).
- Taxes: Freelancers have to pay self-employment taxes, which include income tax and taxes for Social Security and Medicare. This is a large part of their earnings. They should save money from every payment for taxes.
These costs reduce the actual take-home pay from the gross yoga instructor salary.
Building a Career in Yoga
Making a good living as a yoga teacher is possible, but it often means seeing yourself as a small business owner. It is not just about teaching classes. It is also about:
- Marketing yourself.
- Finding new places to teach.
- Managing your money and taxes.
- Building relationships with students and studios.
- Continuing to learn and improve.
The yoga teacher earning potential is highest for those who treat it like a full career and actively work to grow their income streams.
Summary of How Pay Works
To sum up the yoga teacher pay scale:
- No Single Answer: Average pay changes a lot based on many things.
- Location is Key: Big cities usually pay more than small towns.
- Experience Matters: More years teaching usually means higher pay rates and more opportunities.
- Pay Models Vary: Teachers get paid per class, per hour, by salary, or a mix. Per class is common in studios, hourly in gyms.
- Freelance is Common: Most teachers are independent contractors, managing their own taxes and business costs.
- Diversify to Earn More: Teaching private lessons, workshops, online classes, and corporate classes adds to income.
- Costs Reduce Pay: Teachers must pay for training, insurance, travel, and taxes from their earnings.
Getting a good yoga instructor salary takes time, skill, and smart planning.
Tables Showing Pay Examples
Here are some example tables to show typical yoga teaching rates in different settings. These are just examples and can change a lot.
Example Hourly Rates
| Setting | Typical Hourly Rate |
|---|---|
| Gyms | $20 – $35 |
| Corporate Classes | $75 – $150 |
| Private Lessons | $80 – $200+ |
| Community Centers | $15 – $30 |
| Schools | $30 – $50 |
Example Per Class Rates (Studio)
| Experience Level | Typical Per Class Rate |
|---|---|
| New Teacher | $20 – $35 |
| Experienced | $35 – $60 |
| Senior Teacher | $60 – $80+ |
Note: Studio rates can also depend on how many students are in the class.
Example Workshop Earnings
| Workshop Length | Typical Price Per Student | Number of Students | Studio Split (Example 60/40 Teacher/Studio) | Teacher Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 hours | $35 | 10 | $350 Total -> $210 Teacher | $210 |
| 3 hours | $50 | 15 | $750 Total -> $450 Teacher | $450 |
| Full Day | $100 | 8 | $800 Total -> $480 Teacher | $480 |
Workshop earnings change based on the price, how many people come, and the deal with the studio. This is part of the yoga teacher earning potential beyond regular classes.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
H5 How much does a beginner yoga teacher make?
A new yoga teacher often starts by making $20 to $35 per class. Their total income depends on how many classes they can get each week. It is often not enough for full-time living at first.
H5 Is teaching yoga a full-time job?
It can be, but it is often built over time by teaching many classes in different places and adding other income like privates, workshops, or online work. Many teachers teach part-time alongside another job.
H5 How do yoga teachers get paid at studios?
Most often, yoga studios pay teachers a set amount for each class they teach (per-class rate). Some might pay an hourly rate or a rate that changes based on how many students attend.
H5 Can you make a living teaching yoga?
Yes, it is possible to make a good living teaching yoga. But it usually means teaching many hours, getting more training, teaching in different places (studios, gyms, corporate, private, online), and treating it like a business to increase your total yoga teacher income.
H5 What factors increase yoga teacher salary?
Things that can increase a yoga teacher’s pay include more experience, teaching in a big city, having special training (like prenatal or kids yoga), building a strong group of students, teaching private lessons, leading workshops, and having online offerings. These factors boost yoga teacher earning potential.
H5 What is a typical yoga instructor hourly rate?
An hourly rate for a yoga instructor can be anywhere from $20 to over $100 or $150, depending on where they teach. Gyms might pay $20-$35/hour, while corporate or private classes pay much more per hour.
H5 What are common yoga teaching rates?
Common rates are often $30 to $60 per class at yoga studios. Hourly rates at gyms are often $20 to $35. Private sessions have much higher hourly rates, often $80 to $150 or more.
H5 What is a freelance yoga teacher salary like?
A freelance yoga teacher’s salary changes a lot. It depends on how much work they find across different places (studios, gyms, privates, online). There is no set salary; they earn money from each job they do. They also pay their own business costs and taxes. Their income can range from very little to quite high, depending on their business skills and effort.
H5 What is the yoga teacher pay scale based on?
The yoga teacher pay scale is based on a mix of things: where you teach (city, type of place), how many years you have taught, your special skills, how many students you attract, and the specific pay model (per class, hourly, etc.) of the place you are working for or the clients you have.
H5 How much can a yoga teacher make per year?
The total yearly yoga teacher earning potential is very wide. It can be less than $10,000 per year for someone teaching a few classes as a hobby. It can be $40,000 to $60,000 or more for a full-time teacher working in many places. Highly successful teachers with trainings, retreats, and a big online presence can make $70,000 to $100,000 or even more per year.
The path to becoming a well-paid yoga teacher takes time and effort, much like building any other business or career.