Region
United States & Canada
A fast-growing market with a strong sports-business and data culture. Roles often come through college sport, internships and front-office programmes.
USDcurrency
125%pay level vs UK, illustrative
7key bodies
League structure
MLS, NWSL and USL pro tiers, a pay-to-play youth model, and a large college (NCAA, NAIA, USports) football system that doubles as a career route.
Governing bodies and unions
U.S. Soccer, Canada Soccer, MLS, NWSL, USL, MLSPA, NCAA.
Coaching licences
U.S. Soccer licences run from the D licence up to the A and Pro licences. College coaching often rewards degrees and recruiting records as much as badges.
Qualification recognition in United States & Canada
- Confederation Coaching Licences (AFC, CAF, CONMEBOL, Concacaf) (Strong)
- Referee Course & Referee Grades (Strong)
- Football Agent Licence (FIFA Agent Exam) (Strong)
- Sport or Football Business Degree (Strong)
- Sports Law Qualifications (LLM or Solicitor/Bar with Specialism) (Strong)
- Accounting Qualification (ACCA, ICAEW, CIMA or local equivalent) (Strong)
- Sport & Exercise Science Degree (Strong)
- Strength & Conditioning Accreditation (Strong)
- Physiotherapy Degree & Professional Registration (Strong)
- Medical Degree & Sport and Exercise Medicine Training (Strong)
- Sport Psychology Training & Registration (Strong)
- Sports Nutrition Qualifications & Registration (Strong)
- Performance Analysis or Sports Analytics Degree (Strong)
- Data & Analytics Courses (SQL, Python, Machine Learning) (Strong)
- Scouting & Talent Identification Courses (Strong)
- Journalism Qualification (NCTJ, broadcast or degree) (Strong)
- Marketing & Digital Marketing Qualifications (Strong)
- Groundsmanship & Turf Management Qualifications (Strong)
- Vocational Sport Qualification (BTEC or equivalent) (Strong)
- Teaching Qualification (QTS or equivalent) (Strong)
- Language Certificates (Strong)
- Degree in Any Subject (Strong)
- UEFA Coaching Licences (C, B, A, Pro) (Recognised)
- Goalkeeper Coaching Licences (Recognised)
- Football Management Certificate (UEFA CFM) (Recognised)
- Executive Master for International Players (UEFA MIP) (Recognised)
- Football Law Programme (Recognised)
- International Master in Sport (FIFA Master) (Recognised)
- Sports Massage & Soft-Tissue Therapy Courses (Recognised)
- Introductory Coaching Award (FA Level 1) (Limited)
- Youth Coaching Award (FA Youth Award) (Limited)
- Safeguarding Children Training & Background Check (Limited)
- First Aid in Football (Limited)
- Sports Therapy Degree (Limited)
- Sports Ground Safety Officer Qualifications (Limited)
- Spectator Safety Steward Training (Limited)
- Coaching or Sport Apprenticeship (Limited)
Roles and indicative pay
Illustrative estimates in USD. Many roles are unpaid or part-time at grassroots level.
| Role | Qualification | Indicative pay |
|---|---|---|
| Playing & Player Development | ||
| Academy Scholar | Not needed | $4.9K to $33K |
| Semi-Professional Player | Not needed | $3.3K to $41K |
| Professional Player (Lower Leagues) | Not needed | $41K to $200K |
| Top-Flight Professional Player | Not needed | $240K to $4.1M |
| Coaching & Technical | ||
| Grassroots Coach | Strongly preferred | Unpaid or expenses, up to $13K |
| Community Football Coach | Strongly preferred | $26K to $46K |
| Academy Coach | Required | $36K to $89K |
| Academy Head of Coaching | Required | $89K to $210K |
| Goalkeeper Coach | Strongly preferred | $36K to $200K |
| Set-Piece Coach | Helpful | $57K to $410K |
| Assistant Coach | Required | $65K to $650K |
| Head Coach / Manager | Required | $98K to $5.7M |
| National Team Coach | Required | $130K to $2.4M |
| Medical, Performance & Sports Science | ||
| Sports Therapist | Strongly preferred | $36K to $73K |
| Club Physiotherapist | Required | $52K to $180K |
| Head of Medical | Required | $110K to $360K |
| Club Doctor | Required | $110K to $410K |
| Sport Scientist | Strongly preferred | $36K to $81K |
| Strength & Conditioning Coach | Strongly preferred | $46K to $150K |
| Head of Performance | Strongly preferred | $110K to $360K |
| Sport Psychologist | Required | $52K to $180K |
| Performance Nutritionist | Strongly preferred | $49K to $150K |
| Soft-Tissue Therapist (Masseur) | Helpful | $29K to $62K |
| Analysis & Data | ||
| Match Data Collector | Not needed | Unpaid or expenses, up to $20K |
| Performance Analyst (Academy / Lower League) | Helpful | $29K to $59K |
| First-Team Performance Analyst | Helpful | $49K to $120K |
| Opposition Analyst | Helpful | $46K to $110K |
| Football Data Scientist | Strongly preferred | $65K to $160K |
| Football Data Engineer | Strongly preferred | $73K to $180K |
| Head of Analysis | Helpful | $98K to $280K |
| Football Trader / Odds Compiler | Strongly preferred | $46K to $130K |
| Scouting & Recruitment | ||
| Match Scout (Part-Time) | Not needed | Unpaid or expenses, up to $23K |
| Academy / Youth Scout | Strongly preferred | $26K to $62K |
| Professional Scout | Not needed | $46K to $120K |
| Recruitment Analyst | Helpful | $42K to $98K |
| International Scout | Not needed | $33K to $110K |
| Loan & Player Pathway Manager | Helpful | $52K to $130K |
| Chief Scout | Not needed | $89K to $260K |
| Head of Recruitment | Not needed | $110K to $360K |
| Sporting Direction & Football Management | ||
| Football Administrator | Not needed | $29K to $46K |
| Player Liaison / Player Care Officer | Not needed | $36K to $73K |
| Club Interpreter / Translator | Not needed | $36K to $89K |
| Player Registration & Compliance Officer | Strongly preferred | $39K to $89K |
| Academy Education & Welfare Officer | Required | $39K to $78K |
| Football Operations Manager | Helpful | $57K to $150K |
| Academy Manager | Required | $98K to $280K |
| Technical Director | Strongly preferred | $130K to $570K |
| Sporting Director / Director of Football | Strongly preferred | $150K to $2M |
| Agents & Player Representation | ||
| Agency Assistant / Intern | Not needed | Unpaid or expenses, up to $39K |
| Licensed Football Agent | Required | Unpaid or expenses, up to $490K |
| Senior Agent / Head of Representation | Required | $98K to $4.9M |
| Agency Founder / Director | Required | Unpaid or expenses, up to $8.1M |
| Image Rights & Brand Manager | Helpful | $49K to $180K |
| Match Officials | ||
| Youth Referee | Required | Unpaid or expenses, up to $4.9K |
| Grassroots Referee | Required | $1.6K to $15K |
| Semi-Professional / National-List Referee | Required | $8.1K to $46K |
| Professional Referee | Required | $81K to $260K |
| Video Assistant Referee (VAR) Official | Required | $73K to $230K |
| Referee Assessor / Observer | Required | Unpaid or expenses, up to $33K |
| Referee Development Officer | Strongly preferred | $42K to $78K |
| Stadium, Pitch & Matchday Operations | ||
| Match-Day Steward | Strongly preferred | Unpaid or expenses, up to $20K |
| Kit Manager | Not needed | $29K to $73K |
| Groundsperson | Helpful | $29K to $55K |
| Head Groundsperson / Pitch Manager | Strongly preferred | $62K to $180K |
| Travel & Logistics Coordinator | Not needed | $36K to $68K |
| Ticketing Manager | Helpful | $46K to $110K |
| Supporter Liaison Officer | Not needed | $33K to $65K |
| Safety Officer | Required | $57K to $150K |
| Stadium Operations Manager | Helpful | $57K to $150K |
| Commercial, Marketing & Fan Engagement | ||
| Commercial Assistant | Helpful | $29K to $46K |
| Hospitality & Ticket Sales Executive | Not needed | $36K to $81K |
| Sponsorship Sales Executive | Helpful | $39K to $89K |
| Social Media & Digital Content Manager | Not needed | $36K to $98K |
| Fan Engagement Manager | Helpful | $52K to $110K |
| Merchandise & Retail Manager | Helpful | $46K to $110K |
| Marketing Manager | Helpful | $52K to $120K |
| Partnerships Manager | Helpful | $62K to $140K |
| Head of Commercial / Commercial Director | Helpful | $110K to $410K |
| Media, Content & Broadcasting | ||
| Football Content Creator | Not needed | Unpaid or expenses, up to $98K |
| Club Press & Communications Officer | Helpful | $39K to $81K |
| Club Video Producer / Editor | Not needed | $36K to $78K |
| Football Photographer | Not needed | Unpaid or expenses, up to $73K |
| Local Football Reporter | Strongly preferred | $33K to $55K |
| Football Journalist | Strongly preferred | $46K to $120K |
| Broadcast Producer | Helpful | $49K to $130K |
| Match Commentator | Not needed | $16K to $410K |
| Pundit / Analyst (Media) | Not needed | $8.1K to $810K |
| Governance, Legal & Finance | ||
| Club Accountant | Strongly preferred | $42K to $98K |
| Club Finance Director | Required | $130K to $490K |
| Football Lawyer | Required | $73K to $360K |
| Football Compliance & Regulation Officer | Strongly preferred | $62K to $150K |
| Safeguarding Officer | Required | $46K to $98K |
| Club Secretary / Administrator | Not needed | Unpaid or expenses, up to $65K |
| Football Governance & Regulatory Officer | Strongly preferred | $57K to $140K |
| Club Chief Executive | Not needed | $160K to $2.4M |
| Community, Grassroots & Education | ||
| Club Welfare Officer | Required | Unpaid or expenses, up to $4.9K |
| Grassroots League Secretary | Not needed | Unpaid or expenses, up to $20K |
| Community Foundation Officer | Strongly preferred | $33K to $55K |
| Disability & Inclusion Football Coach | Strongly preferred | Unpaid or expenses, up to $46K |
| Football Development Officer | Strongly preferred | $41K to $73K |
| Physical Education Teacher (Football Focus) | Required | $46K to $85K |
| Coach Educator / Tutor | Required | $49K to $140K |
| Club Foundation Director | Helpful | $65K to $150K |
| Business, Enterprise & Football Tech | ||
| Coaching Camp / Academy Owner | Strongly preferred | Unpaid or expenses, up to $160K |
| Five-a-Side Venue Manager | Not needed | $39K to $89K |
| Football Tech Founder | Not needed | Unpaid or expenses, up to $330K |
| Football Apparel & Equipment Entrepreneur | Not needed | Unpaid or expenses, up to $200K |
| Football Tech Product Manager | Strongly preferred | $73K to $170K |
| Football Data Account Manager | Helpful | $42K to $98K |
| Football Travel & Experience Operator | Not needed | $33K to $110K |