How much can a Yoga Teacher make in Australia?
Before heading into your yoga teaching career, how much money you can take home is a major question that many people consider a valuable part of their decision.
With the often high costs of undertaking a yoga teaching course, as well as the need to balance holding classes with other priorities such as family, other work and home life, potential income can be a relevant factor when deciding if this is a career path for you.
There are of course times when income is not the sole, or even a major reason for working in the yoga industry, however most experienced teachers will say it does play a part in your ability to commit to a position teaching yoga long term.
The hourly rates of pay for Yoga Teachers will vary depending on a number of key factors like;
- the location of the studio
- how many classes per week they offer
- opening hours
- employment arrangement e.g. sole contractor or direct employee
- payment breakdown – per class, per head or per week
- student class fees
- number of teachers/studios in the area (competition)
- attendance rates, and more.
With the key points above taken into account, a yoga studio owner also has to consider the overheads of running a studio e.g. reception staff, venue hire, electricity, marketing, and so on. Once all this has been input, a position will be advertised and a rate of pay offered to market.
In Australia, the average rate of pay for a Yoga Instructor, Yoga Studio Teacher or Meditation Teacher is $48.74 per hour, according to indeed.com.
These salary estimates are based on salaries submitted by real yoga employees working in the industry as well as job vacancy advertisements.
The highest reported hourly rate for a Yoga Teacher was $59.24 per hour in Sutherland Shire, Sydney.
The lowest advertised rate was $25.00 per hour in Bundoora, Victoria.
Interesting feedback provided by yoga teachers about yoga salary rates;
“As much as I loved teaching yoga most people don’t understand it is still a business. I found the balance between student and teacher expectations to be very difficult.”
“The YMCA allows me to exercise and get paid for it! I love teaching yoga although I could get paid better.”
Becoming self-employed may be an option to increase your rate of pay per class by taking home more of the profits, however it must be noted that outgoings will also increase. Self-employed Yoga Instructors pay for many items like; venue hire, mats, props and yoga equipment, marketing and flyers, a payment method, accounting, a website, client data system etc, so be sure to consider these items to know if you will be profitable on your venture or break even, well in advance.
At the end of the day, if you are working in an industry you love, money will be secondary to the joy and karma of living and giving, in yoga.
Are you a Yoga Instructor currently working in the industry? What do you think about the pay rates provided? Add your thoughts in the comments section.
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Average rate of pay current as at 31st May 2020 as reported by indeed.com.