“The success of yoga does not lie in the ability to attain the perfect posture but in how it contributes to healing a person’s suffering.” The current situation of yoga and the salaries of yoga instructors are directly affected by this statement.
To share yoga’s advantages and make excellent money, you must know how much instructors make. Being a yoga teacher is becoming more of a profitable profession than a purely spiritual one. If you are thinking about becoming a teacher or already have your certificate, it is helpful to know what to expect from this conventional profession so you can plan a successful career.
How Much Yoga Teachers Make
Yoga offers numerous methods to make money. Your salary depends on your experience, location, and teaching style. Knowing these ranges helps you establish objectives and progress.
New Yoga Teachers
As they develop experience and a reputation, yoga instructors who are just starting out receive less money. The average hourly wage for a yoga instructor in the United States is $38.10, with an entry-level salary of $37,343. New yoga instructors may expect to earn $20–$40 each session in studios, compared to $15–$25 at gym franchises.
What factors into the salary of first-year educators:
- Pay is lower for educators with less than 500 hours of training compared to those with more than 500 hours.
- Pay rates are higher in larger cities, such as Boston ($49.78/hour), New York ($44.38/hour), and San Diego ($43.48/hour).
- Compared to teaching in gyms or community centers, the salary at high-end wellness centers is much higher.
Fitness trainers and instructors (including yoga teachers) made a median yearly salary of $46,180 in May 2024, with the lowest 10% earning less than $27,600, according to the BLS.
Teachers with More Experience
Yoga teachers get more money as they learn. Teachers with three to four years of experience make between $30,000 and $50,000, while full-time professors get $69,965.
Why and how experience increases salary:
- 3 to 4 years teaching: $30k to $50k per year
- Experienced teachers: Make $70,000+ each year as an experienced teacher.
- Top 10% earners: Exceeding $82,000 annually
Instructors with years of experience who own their own studios or who train other instructors may make $60,000 a month or more. One survey found that just 45% of yoga instructors feel their income covers their living expenses, therefore many face financial difficulties early in their careers.[200 Hour Yoga Teacher Training]
What Changes How Much You Make
Here are a few factor which you should consider on how much does a yoga teacher make:
Where You Live
The place where you teach has the biggest effect on how much money you make. It’s more expensive to live in big cities, and the fees for classes are also higher. Small towns are less competitive but cheaper.
Where You Work
Where you work has a big impact on how much money you make:
- Personal studios: A private class costs between $25 and $50.
- Gym chains: Private fitness classes at gym chains can cost anywhere from $15 to $25.
- Companies’ wellness programs: Usually cost $100 or more for one-on-one sessions
- Meetings with a personal trainer: Head of Prices per hour range from $75 to $200.
Special Skills and Training
People with special skills make more money. Teachers who specialize in healing yoga, Ashtanga, Iyengar, or classes for pregnant women may charge more. Both students and studios really value yoga philosophies, breathing exercises, and meditation skills.
Experience and Good Reputation
To make more money, you need to have experience and a good name. Teachers who give great lessons, stay in touch with their students, and keep learning make more money. By using social media, seminars, and community events to build your brand, you might be able to charge more.
How you operate your firm dramatically impacts your earnings. Studio teachers get a stable but low wage. Income fluctuates for freelance instructors, but potential is boundless. Studio owners take the greatest risks and have the most obligations.[300 Hour Yoga Teacher Training]
Different Ways to Make Money Teaching Yoga
The best yoga teachers don’t limit themselves to teaching yoga classes. Having many sources of income helps you grow and stay stable.
Regular Classes
Competent teachers may get $75 per class at certain settings, although the majority charge $25 to $50. You may find basic prices and attendance incentives at most studios.
Private sessions
Price range for private lessons from $75-$200/hour, according on teacher’s competence and location. A lot of teachers find that having five or ten regular individual students brings in more money than having group classes for the same amount of time.
Courses for teachers
A lot of money comes in from yoga teacher training. Instructors who have completed the rigorous training and certification requirements may earn $20,000 to $40,000 for teaching these courses.
Workshops, Special Events
- Prices for weekend programs range from $500 to $2,000.
- Areas of expertise (such as meditation and arm balances): Excessive rates
- Long-term programs: Charges for premium content and duration
Retreats
Yoga retreats that last many days may command prices ranging from $1,500 to $5,000 per person, making them very lucrative events in their own right.
Comparing with Other Countries
Knowing how much yoga teachers make around the world can help you.
| Country | Yoga teacher salary per hour | Yoga teacher salary per year |
| United Kingdom | £16 | £33,745 |
| Germany | €14 | €29,408 |
| Switzerland | ₣22 (CHF) | ₣45,503 (CHF) |
| France | €11 | €22,969 |
| Spain | €9 | €18,873 |
| Greece | €13 | €26,628 |
| Italy | €10 | €19,995 |
| United States of America | $34 | $55,670 |
| Canada | $17 (CAD) | $36,446 (CAD) |
| Australia | $23 (AUD) | $48,073 (AUD) |
| India | ₹168 (INR) | ₹3,50,164 (INR) |
| Thailand | ฿114 (TBH) | ฿236,961 (TBH) |
| Bali, Indonesia | Rp57,167 (IDR) | Rp118,908,272 (IDR) |
Wrapping Up
There are many ways for yoga teachers to make money, and how much they make depends on where they work, how much experience they have, and what kind of company they work for. An entry-level teacher can make between $37,343 and $46,180, while a very experienced teacher with many sources of income can make $70,000 or more.
To be successful, you need to keep learning, have a lot of contacts, and find ways to make money besides group sessions. If you want to make money teaching yoga, you need to fully commit to it, improve your skills, and have a solid business plan.[100 Hour Yoga Teacher Training]
FAQs
How much can a new yoga teacher expect to make?
Yoga teachers start out making $38.10 an hour, which is $37,343 a year. Studios might pay new teachers $20 to $40 per session if they teach regularly for 6 to 12 months.
What most affects how much yoga teachers make?
Location is the most important factor since prices in Boston and New York are 15%+ more than the national average. Salary might vary depending on factors such as level of education, area of expertise, years of experience, and the kind of business (employee, freelance, studio owner, etc.).
Can yoga teaching be a full time job that pays well?
A full-time income from yoga instruction is possible via a variety of channels. Proven educators may make $30,000 to $70,000 per year or more by combining classroom instruction with individualized support, seminars, and training programs. If you want your yoga classes to be successful, you need to think of your business like a corporation.
