ICF Global Coaching Study 2025: What It Means for Coaches Today

The coaching profession is growing — not only in numbers but in impact. This month, the International Coaching Federation (ICF) released its 2025 Global Coaching Study, a comprehensive survey of over 10,000 coaches across 127 countries. The findings are both inspiring and instructive, offering a window into how coaching is evolving worldwide and what it means for us here in the U.S.

Coaching’s Expanding Economic Footprint

Globally, coaching contributed $5.34 billion USD to the economy over the past year — a 17% increase since 2023. This growth underscores coaching’s rising relevance across sectors and cultures.

North America remains the strongest contributor, generating $2.89 billion USD, with U.S.-based coaches earning on average $71,719 annually from their coaching work — far above the global average of $49,283.

A Growing Profession

There are now 122,974 coach practitioners worldwide, marking a 13% increase since 2023. Importantly, 90% of these coaches have active clients, signaling a healthy level of engagement and demand for coaching services.

North America leads not only in revenue but also in participation, with 44,270 active coaches — about one-third of the global total.

What Drives Revenue in Coaching

Three key factors influence annual coaching income:

• Hourly fees: Coaches globally charge an average of $234 per session. In North America, the average is $297, the highest worldwide.

• Weekly hours: Coaches spend an average of 11.6 hours per week coaching; U.S. coaches average 12.7 hours.

• Active clients: The global average is 12.4 active clients per coach, while North American coaches average 14.

These numbers reveal both opportunity and pressure — balancing client load with sustainable practices is key to long-term success.

Technology, Optimism, and the Future

Technology is emerging as a defining factor in coaching’s growth. While 47% of coaches now use digital platforms, most applications remain limited to scheduling and virtual sessions. Only 19% invested in new technologies last year, though this number is expected to rise to 27% within three years.

Despite challenges, optimism is strong: 59% of coaches globally anticipate revenue growth in the next year, with North America close to that average at 58%. Coaches expect this growth to come not from raising fees but from increasing clients and sessions.

Generational Shifts

Generational data highlights coaching’s evolving landscape:

• Baby Boomers and Gen X dominate the profession (88% combined).

• Millennials are entering in larger numbers, particularly in emerging regions, and currently represent 11% of the coaching population.

• Experience continues to matter — coaches with more than 10 years in practice earn nearly double the revenue of newer coaches, averaging $69,721 annually.

This suggests that mentorship, credentialing, and professional development remain vital for early-career coaches building their practices.

What This Means for Us

For U.S.-based coaches, the 2025 study confirms what many already feel: demand is strong, but expectations are higher than ever. Clients increasingly seek certified, well-trained coaches who integrate ethics, presence, and technology responsibly.

At Trio Coaching Academy, we see these findings as an invitation — to continue training coaches who are not only skilled in competencies but also adaptable to technology, mindful of ethics, and committed to building sustainable practices.

The coaching profession is growing. The question is: how will we grow with it?

Source: International Coaching Federation. (2025). ICF Global Coaching Study: Download report.

Book a Free Consultation