Get Insights: How Much Do Yoga Instructors Get Paid

People often ask, how much do yoga instructors get paid? The amount a yoga teacher makes can change a lot. It is hard to give just one number. The average yoga instructor pay is not fixed. A yoga teacher salary range can go from not much money to a good amount. Many things make the pay different.

Image Source: www.brettlarkin.com

Figuring Out Pay for Yoga Teachers

How much money do yoga teachers make? It is a common question. There is no single answer. Pay changes based on many things. We will look at these things. We will see the different ways teachers earn money.

Ways Yoga Teachers Make Money

Yoga teachers get paid in a few main ways.

• Pay per class: They get a set amount for each class they teach.
• Hourly pay: They earn money for each hour they work. This might be for teaching or other tasks.
• Salary: They get a fixed amount of money each year or month. This is less common for part-time teachers.
• Sharing revenue: Some places share money from class fees with the teacher. The teacher gets a part of what people pay.
• Private lessons: Teachers can teach one person or a small group. They charge more for this.
• Workshops and events: Teachers can run special classes. These often cost more for students. The teacher earns more from these.
• Online classes: Teachers can teach on the internet. They might charge per class or have members pay each month.

The pay per yoga class is a very common way for studios to pay. An instructor might get paid maybe $25 to $50 for one class. Some places pay more, maybe $70 or $100 in big cities or for special classes. Some places pay less, especially if the teacher is new.

The yoga teacher hourly rate is also used. This might be for teaching a class or for other work at the studio. Hourly rates can be like pay per class rates. Or they might be lower, maybe $20 to $40 an hour, if it includes setup or other duties.

Salary is not as common for typical studio jobs. Studio jobs are often part-time. Full-time jobs with a salary are rare. They might be for lead teachers or managers. The yoga studio instructor wages often lean towards pay per class or hourly rates.

Things That Change How Much Teachers Make

Many things play a part in how much a yoga teacher earns. These are called factors affecting yoga teacher salary.

• Where the teacher lives.
• How long the teacher has been teaching.
• What kind of training and extra classes they have taken.
• What type of yoga they teach.
• Where they teach (studio, gym, company, private home, online).
• How many students come to their classes.
• If they teach full-time or part-time.
• If they are an employee or work for themselves (freelance).

Let’s look at some of these things more closely.

Where the Teacher Lives

Location matters a lot. Yoga teachers in big cities often make more money. Life costs more in cities like New York or Los Angeles. So, yoga studios charge more for classes. They can then pay their teachers more.

In smaller towns, class prices are lower. So, the pay for teachers is lower too. The yoga instructor salary by location can change a lot.

Look at these examples:

Location	Possible Pay Per Class	Possible Hourly Rate
Small Town	$20 – $35	$15 – $30
Mid-Size City	$30 – $50	$25 – $40
Large City (High Cost)	$40 – $100+	$35 – $70+

This table shows example pay ranges. It is not exact for everywhere. But it shows how location is a big part of the yoga teacher salary range.

How Much Experience a Teacher Has

Teachers who have taught for many years usually make more. They have more skills. They know how to handle different students. Studios trust them to teach good classes.

A new teacher might start at the lower end of the pay scale. A teacher with 5-10 years of teaching might get paid more per class. A teacher with 10+ years might earn the most, maybe teaching special classes or training new teachers.

Experience is a big factor affecting yoga teacher salary.

Training and Certifications

Most yoga teachers get training called a RYT 200. This means Registered Yoga Teacher with 200 hours of training. This is the basic level.

Teachers can get more training. They can get RYT 500. This is 500 hours of training. They can train in special types of yoga. Like yoga for pregnant women. Or yoga for people with injuries. Or kids’ yoga.

Having more training can lead to a yoga teacher certification pay increase. Studios might pay teachers with extra training more. Students might pay more for private lessons with teachers who have special skills. More training means more skills. More skills can mean more money.

Where a Teacher Teaches

The place where a teacher works changes their pay.

• Yoga Studios: This is common. Pay is often per class or hourly. Yoga studio instructor wages are a main part of the yoga teacher salary range. Pay can vary a lot between studios in the same town. Some studios pay better than others.
• Gyms and Health Clubs: Gyms sometimes hire yoga teachers. Pay might be hourly or per class. Sometimes gyms pay a bit less than dedicated yoga studios. But they might have more classes available.
• Corporate Yoga: Teachers can teach yoga at companies for employees. This can pay well. Companies often pay a good hourly rate or a set fee per class. This can be $75 to $150 or more for one class session.
• Private Lessons: Teaching one-on-one pays the most per hour or session. A teacher might charge $50 to $150 or more for a private lesson. This depends on location and the teacher’s fame.
• Teaching Online: Teachers can teach live classes online. Or sell videos of classes. Earnings can vary greatly. Some teachers make very little online. Some with many followers make a lot.
• Workshops and Retreats: Running special events can bring in good money. Teachers charge more for these longer, deeper sessions.
• Community Centers, Schools: Pay here might be lower, but it can be a way to gain experience.

The place matters a lot for earnings.

How Many Students Come

Some studios pay based on how many students show up. This is less common now. But some might pay a small base fee plus a bonus for more students. Or they might pay more per class if the class is large.

More often, studios just want teachers who can bring students in or keep students coming back. Popular teachers might be able to ask for more pay.

Being an Employee vs. Freelance

Most yoga teachers are not employees. They work as independent contractors. This means they are freelance yoga instructors.

Freelance teachers do not get benefits like health insurance or paid time off from the studio. They have to pay their own taxes differently. Studios pay them a set amount per class or hour.

Being freelance has pros and cons.

• Pros: Teachers can set their own schedule. They can teach at many places. They can teach private lessons and workshops on their own. They have more control. Freelance yoga instructor earnings have more potential ways to grow.
• Cons: No benefits. Have to handle taxes and business costs. Pay can be unsure. If classes are cancelled, they don’t get paid. No paid sick days or vacation.

Most yoga instructor income potential relies on working freelance. This means building many ways to earn money, not just teaching studio classes.

Average Pay for Yoga Instructors

What is the average yoga instructor pay? This number is hard to pin down exactly. Websites that track salaries use different data. The numbers they show are often for part-time work.

Some websites say the average is around $30 to $40 an hour or per class. This could mean someone teaching a few classes a week makes $5,000 to $20,000 a year. Someone teaching many classes a week could make more.

Remember, this “average” includes teachers everywhere. It includes new teachers and very experienced ones. It includes teachers in small towns and big cities.

Let’s look at some example ranges people report:

• Beginner Teacher (0-2 years): $20 – $40 per class/hour.
• Experienced Teacher (3-7 years): $35 – $60 per class/hour.
• Senior Teacher (8+ years): $50 – $100+ per class/hour or more for special work.

These are just examples. Pay varies greatly. The yoga teacher salary range is very wide.

If a teacher teaches 10 classes a week at $40 a class, that’s $400 a week. That is about $20,000 a year if they teach every week. Many teachers teach more or less than this. Many also have other jobs.

Deciphering Income Potential

Can a yoga teacher make a lot of money? The yoga instructor income potential is there, but it takes work.

Just teaching regular classes at a studio might not be enough to live on, especially at first. Many teachers teach yoga part-time. They have other jobs to pay bills.

To make more money, teachers need to do more things:

• Teach more classes in different places.
• Teach private lessons (charge more per hour).
• Run workshops (charge more per student).
• Lead retreats (can earn a lot per person).
• Teach online classes or sell content.
• Train new yoga teachers.
• Work for companies or special groups.
• Sell yoga clothes or products.

A teacher who does many of these things can earn a good living. A very successful teacher might make $60,000, $80,000, or even $100,000+ a year. But this is not common. It takes time to build up to this level. It means being a good teacher and a good business person.

The key to higher yoga instructor income potential is to have many different ways that money comes in. Relying on just one studio for pay limits how much you can make.

Comparing Different Pay Structures

Let’s look closer at pay per class vs. hourly pay.

Pay Per Class

• How it works: Teacher gets a set fee for each class they teach, no matter how many students are there (usually).
• Good points: Pay is clear for each class. If classes are back-to-back, total earnings for the time worked can be higher than hourly.
• Bad points: If a class is short or starts late, the pay is the same. Does not pay for time setting up or talking to students after class. The pay per yoga class is fixed.

Hourly Pay

• How it works: Teacher gets paid for the hours they are at the studio or working.
• Good points: Gets paid for all time worked, maybe even setup or other tasks. Pay is steady based on hours.
• Bad points: If a class is very full and active, the pay is the same hourly rate as a small, quiet class. May feel less rewarding if you bring in many students.

Most yoga studio instructor wages are based on one of these two ways.

Salary

• How it works: Fixed amount paid regularly (weekly, bi-weekly, monthly). Common for full-time jobs.
• Good points: Steady income. Often includes benefits like health insurance, paid time off.
• Bad points: Very rare for yoga teachers. Usually means taking on management or many roles beyond just teaching. May work many hours for the fixed pay.

Most yoga teachers work freelance. This means pay per class or hourly is more common for them.

How Certification Affects Pay

Getting a yoga teacher certification is the first step to teaching. The RYT 200 is standard.

Does getting just the first certification mean you get paid more? Not always right away. It lets you get a job teaching.

But getting more training (RYT 500) or special training (like kids’ yoga or pre-natal yoga) can help you earn more. This is the yoga teacher certification pay increase that matters.

Why? Because it shows you have more knowledge and skills. Studios might pay you more for special classes. You can charge more for private lessons in your special area. You can lead workshops on these topics.

So, the basic certification is needed to start. But more training can lead to higher pay over time.

Freelance Teacher Earnings

We talked about freelance yoga instructor earnings. These can be higher than just teaching at one studio. But it takes more work.

A freelance teacher builds their own business.

• They find places to teach (studios, gyms, companies, homes).
• They find their own students for private lessons.
• They plan and run their own workshops or retreats.
• They might create online content.

Their income comes from many places. It is not steady. Some months might be great. Some might be slow.

Freelance teachers have costs.

• Insurance (very important!).
• Training costs.
• Travel costs to different places.
• Cost of music, props, mats.
• Website or online platform costs.
• Taxes (self-employment tax is high).

So, even if they charge $70 for a class, their actual take-home pay is less after costs and taxes.

The potential for freelance yoga instructor earnings is high. But it needs hard work, business skills, and managing money well.

Building Your Yoga Teaching Career and Income

To earn a good living as a yoga teacher takes time and effort. It’s not just about teaching classes.

• Teach well: Give students great classes. They will come back. Studios will want you.
• Keep learning: Get more training. Learn new skills.
• Network: Meet people in the yoga world. Meet students. Build connections.
• Be reliable: Always show up on time. Be professional.
• Market yourself: Let people know you teach. Use social media. Have a simple website.
• Think like a business: Manage your money. Plan your time. Find new ways to earn.
• Be flexible: Be willing to teach different types of classes or at different times.

The yoga instructor income potential grows as you grow as a teacher and build your reach.

The Yoga Teacher Salary Range: A Closer Look

Let’s put some of the numbers together to see the full yoga teacher salary range people talk about.

Low End: A new teacher in a small town, teaching a few classes a week at a studio or gym.
* Maybe $20 per class.
* Teaches 5 classes a week.
* $100 per week.
* About $5,000 per year. (This is very low, likely part-time income).

Mid-Range: An experienced teacher in a mid-size city, teaching at a few studios and maybe some private lessons.
* Maybe $45 per class at studios (10 classes/week = $450).
* Maybe 2 private lessons per week at $75 each ($150).
* Total $600 per week.
* About $30,000 per year. (Getting better, maybe enough to live on in some places, possibly still needing another small job).

Higher End: A very experienced teacher in a large city, popular, teaching many classes, workshops, private lessons, and maybe online.
* Maybe $60 per class at studios (15 classes/week = $900).
* Maybe 5 private lessons per week at $100 each ($500).
* Runs a workshop once a month ($500 – $2000+ profit).
* Has online students ($100+ per week).
* Total maybe $1500 – $2500+ per week from different sources.
* About $75,000 – $130,000+ per year. (This takes many years, hard work, and business skill).

These numbers show the wide yoga teacher salary range. Most teachers are likely in the lower to mid-range, especially when starting out. Earning at the higher end requires building a strong reputation and business.

Yoga Studio Instructor Wages in Detail

When you work for a yoga studio, your pay is usually set by them. They decide the pay per yoga class or the hourly rate.

What affects the yoga studio instructor wages?
* The studio’s size and how popular it is.
* How much the studio charges students for classes.
* The studio’s costs (rent, bills, marketing).
* The studio owner’s pay strategy.
* The local market for yoga.

Some studios pay new teachers less, maybe $25-$30 per class. As the teacher gets more known and brings in students, they might ask for more. Or the studio might offer more after a year or two, maybe $35-$45 per class.

Senior teachers who teach prime time classes (like evenings or weekend mornings) might get higher pay, maybe $50-$70+ per class. This is because these classes are popular and make more money for the studio.

Sometimes studios offer small bonuses. Maybe based on how many students come to a class. Or for helping at events.

The pay structure at a studio is a big part of how much a teacher makes from that one job. But remember, many teachers work at more than one studio.

Grasphing the Reality of Income

Being a yoga teacher is often seen as a passion job. People do it because they love yoga and helping others.

The money can be hard at first. It takes time to build classes and find places to teach. Many teachers have to work other jobs.

The idea of high yoga instructor income potential is real for some. But it’s not easy. It means running your own business and finding many ways to earn. It also means working hours that might not be typical, like early mornings, evenings, and weekends.

Taxes are also a big part of the reality for freelance teachers. About 25-35% or more of earnings can go to taxes. Teachers need to save for this.

So, while the average yoga instructor pay might look okay on paper, the real take-home pay and the amount of work needed can be different.

Getting a Yoga Teacher Certification Pay Increase

Let’s talk more about how getting certified can help you earn more.

Getting your RYT 200 certification is the first big step. This costs money and time (often $2,000 – $5,000 and many weeks or months). Once you have this, you can apply for teaching jobs. This certification itself is the key to starting. Without it, most places won’t hire you.

After you have experience, getting more training in a special area can lead to a pay increase. For example:

• Kids’ Yoga Training: You can teach yoga in schools, daycares, or kids’ studios. These jobs often pay well, perhaps $50 – $100+ per session.
• Pre-Natal Yoga Training: You can teach classes for pregnant women. This is a special skill that studios might pay more for. You can also get private clients who need this kind of yoga.
• Yoga Therapy Training: This is deep training to help people with health problems using yoga. This training is long and costly. But certified yoga therapists can charge much more for private sessions ($100 – $200+). This is a clear path to a yoga teacher certification pay increase and higher income potential.
• Advanced Teacher Training (RYT 500): This shows you have much more knowledge of yoga. It can make you more likely to get hired. It might help you teach workshops or train other teachers later, which pays more.

So, think of getting more certifications as investing in your future pay. It opens doors to higher-paying work. It adds to your skills and value as a teacher.

Planning Your Yoga Teaching Path

If you want to teach yoga, think about these steps:

1. Get a good RYT 200 certification. Choose a program that fits you.
2. Start teaching wherever you can. Get experience. Maybe volunteer first.
3. Teach often. The more you teach, the better you get.
4. Decide if you want to teach full-time or part-time. This affects your income goals.
5. Think about special training. What kind of yoga do you love? Who do you want to help?
6. Look at the yoga instructor salary by location. Where do you live? What is the pay like there? Are you willing to move?
7. Build your network. Meet studio owners, other teachers, and students.
8. Consider private lessons or workshops. These can boost your freelance yoga instructor earnings.
9. Learn basic business skills. This is key if you work for yourself.

The journey to earning a good living as a yoga teacher is not always easy. It needs passion, hard work, and smart choices. The yoga teacher salary range is wide, but with effort, you can aim for the higher end.

FAQs

Here are some common questions people ask about yoga teacher pay.

Q: Is being a yoga teacher a full-time job?

A: For some people, yes. But for many, it is a part-time job. They teach classes for extra money or because they love it. Many teachers need another job to pay all their bills.

Q: How much does a new yoga teacher make per class?

A: A new teacher might make $20 to $35 per class. This depends on where they live and the place they teach.

Q: Can I make $50,000 a year teaching yoga?

A: Yes, you can. But it is not automatic. You would likely need to teach many classes, maybe teach private lessons, or run workshops. It often means working for yourself (freelance) and having different ways to earn.

Q: Does teaching at a gym pay less than a yoga studio?

A: Often, yes. Gyms might pay a bit less per class or hour than dedicated yoga studios. But they might have more class times available.

Q: How does teaching online affect pay?

A: It changes a lot. You could make very little or a lot. It depends on how many students you reach, how you charge, and if you offer live classes or recorded ones. It’s a way to reach more people but takes effort to build an online following.

Q: Does getting more yoga training really help you make more money?

A: Yes, it can. Getting special certifications or advanced training helps you gain skills. This lets you teach higher-paying special classes, workshops, or private lessons. It shows you are serious about learning. This can lead to a yoga teacher certification pay increase over time.

Q: What are the hidden costs of being a yoga teacher?

A: If you are freelance, you pay for your own insurance, taxes, training, travel, music fees, and props. These costs cut into your earnings.

Teaching yoga can be a rewarding path. Knowing about the different ways teachers earn money and what changes their pay helps you plan your own journey. It shows that building a career in yoga takes more than just teaching classes. It takes skill, passion, and smart work.