Recovery Coach Salary Guide 2026: What Can You Really Earn?

You want to help people in recovery. You also want to pay your bills.

There’s no shame in asking the money question. If you’re considering recovery coaching as a career — or you’re already coaching and wondering whether you’re leaving money on the table — you deserve real numbers, not vague promises.

This guide gives you exactly that: actual salary data, honest income scenarios, and a clear picture of what’s possible at every stage of your career.

Here’s what we’ll cover:

• Average recovery coach salaries (2026 data)

• Hourly rates by experience level

• Part-time vs full-time income

• How credentials affect what you can charge

• Geographic variations

• Business models (employed vs private practice)

Quick Answer: Recovery Coach Salary Range

Part-Time Recovery Coaches (5-10 clients):

• $1,500 - $4,000/month

• $18,000 - $48,000/year

Full-Time Recovery Coaches (15-20 clients):

• $5,000 - $12,000/month

• $60,000 - $144,000/year

Employed Recovery Coaches (Treatment Centers, etc.):

• $40,000 - $65,000/year salary

• Benefits included

Private Practice (Experienced, ICF-Credentialed):

• $75,000 - $150,000/year

• No benefits, higher rates

These ranges are wide because your income depends on a few key factors: credentials, experience, business model, and location. Let’s break each one down.

Hourly Rates: What Recovery Coaches Actually Charge

By Experience Level

New Coaches (0-1 year):

• Range: $50-100/session

• Average: $75/session

• Why lower: You’re building your reputation. Clients don’t know you yet.

Emerging Coaches (1-3 years):

• Range: $100-150/session

• Average: $125/session

• Why higher: You have client results to point to. Word-of-mouth is working.

Experienced Coaches (3-5 years):

• Range: $150-200/session

• Average: $175/session

• Why highest: Proven outcomes, strong referral network, premium positioning.

Master Coaches (5+ years, ICF PCC/MCC):

• Range: $200-300/session

• Average: $250/session

• Why premium: Deep experience, advanced credentials, specialization, and a track record that speaks for itself.

By Credential

Your credential is the single fastest lever for raising your rates. Here’s how they break down:

No Credential:

• $50-75/session

• Limited to peer support and informal coaching

• Difficult to land treatment center contracts

Basic Certification (Non-ICF):

• $75-100/session

• Peer recovery specialist, CARC, etc.

• Some legitimacy, but not ICF standard

ICF ACC (Associate Certified Coach):

• $100-150/session

• +33-50% over non-credentialed coaches

• Treatment centers hire you. Families trust you.

ICF PCC (Professional Certified Coach):

• $175-250/session

• +75-100% over non-credentialed

• Premium positioning and advanced skills

Specialization (Family Recovery, Trauma, etc.):

• +$25-50/session on top of your base rate

• Niche expertise commands a premium every time

Full Income Scenarios (Real Examples)

Numbers on a page are one thing. Here’s what recovery coaching income looks like in practice.

Scenario 1: Part-Time Recovery Coach (Sarah)

Profile:

• ICF ACC credentialed

• 18 months coaching experience

• 8 active clients

• Private practice (side income alongside her day job)

Rates:

• $125/session

• 2 sessions/month per client average

Math:

• 8 clients x 2 sessions = 16 sessions/month

• 16 sessions x $125 = $2,000/month

• $24,000/year (part-time)

Time investment: ~20 hours/month (includes admin)

Effective hourly rate: $100/hour

Scenario 2: Full-Time Recovery Coach (Michael)

Profile:

• ICF PCC credentialed

• 5 years experience

• 15 active clients

• Private practice (full-time)

• Specializes in coaching individuals and families through recovery

Rates:

• $175/session

• 2.5 sessions/month per client average

Math:

• 15 clients x 2.5 sessions = 37.5 sessions/month

• 37.5 sessions x $175 = $6,563/month

• $78,750/year (full-time)

Time investment: ~70 hours/month (includes business admin, marketing)

Effective hourly rate: $93/hour

Scenario 3: Treatment Center Employee (Jennifer)

Profile:

• CARC (Certified Addiction Recovery Coach)

• 3 years experience

• Employed by residential treatment facility

Salary:

• $52,000/year base

• Health insurance, 401k, PTO included

• 40 hours/week

Caseload:

• 12-15 clients at any time

• 3-4 sessions/day

• Weekly group facilitation

Effective hourly rate: $25/hour (but benefits add real value)

Scenario 4: Premium Private Practice (David)

Profile:

• ICF PCC credentialed

• 8 years experience

• 20 active clients

• Premium positioning (corporate + high-net-worth families)

• Package pricing model

Rates:

• $2,500 for 12-session package ($208/session)

• OR $250/session a la carte

Math:

• 20 clients x 2 sessions/month = 40 sessions

• 40 sessions x $250 = $10,000/month

• $120,000/year

Time investment: ~80 hours/month

Effective hourly rate: $125/hour

Income by Business Model

You have options for how you structure your career. Each model has trade-offs, and the right one depends on where you are in your journey.

1. Employed (Treatment Centers, Nonprofits)

Salary Range: $40,000-65,000/year

Pros:

• Steady paycheck

• Benefits (health insurance, 401k, PTO)

• Built-in client pipeline

• Supervision and support

• Lower business stress

Cons:

• Income ceiling (limited upside)

• No control over your rates

• Higher caseloads (burnout risk)

• Less flexibility

Best for: New coaches building experience, people who want stability, and anyone who prefers employee status while they learn the craft.

2. Private Practice (Self-Employed)

Income Range: $30,000-150,000/year (highly variable)

Pros:

• Unlimited income potential

• Set your own rates

• Choose your clients

• Flexible schedule

• Build equity in your business

Cons:

• Irregular income (feast or famine)

• No benefits unless you buy them

• Marketing and admin burden

• More complex taxes

Best for: Experienced coaches, entrepreneurs, and ICF-credentialed coaches who can attract clients through reputation and referrals.

3. Hybrid Model (Employed + Private Clients)

Income Range: $60,000-100,000/year

Structure:

• Work part-time at a treatment center ($30-40K)

• Private practice evenings/weekends ($20-40K)

Pros:

• Stable base income

• Benefits from employer

• Upside from private practice

• Diversified income streams

• Lower risk overall

Cons:

• Time-intensive (50-60 hour weeks)

• Potential conflicts of interest (check your employer’s policy)

• Burnout risk

Best for: Coaches transitioning toward full-time private practice who want security and upside at the same time.

Geographic Salary Variations

Where you live — and where your clients live — matters. But virtual coaching is changing the game.

High-Income Markets

Major metros (NYC, SF, LA, Boston, Seattle):

• Rates: $150-300/session

• Annual: $80,000-150,000 (full-time)

• Why higher: High cost of living, premium clients, insurance coverage more common

Mid-Market Cities

Mid-size cities (Denver, Austin, Portland, Nashville):

• Rates: $100-200/session

• Annual: $60,000-100,000 (full-time)

• Why moderate: Balanced cost of living, growing recovery infrastructure

Rural/Small Markets

Rural areas, small towns:

• Rates: $50-125/session

• Annual: $30,000-75,000 (full-time)

• Why lower: Lower cost of living, less disposable income, fewer treatment centers nearby

Virtual/Online Coaching (Location-Independent)

Serve clients anywhere:

• Rates: $100-200/session (you charge based on YOUR expertise, not your client’s zip code)

• Annual: $60,000-120,000 (full-time)

• Advantage: Access higher-paying markets without living there

This is where recovery coaching gets interesting. You can live in a low-cost area and serve clients in premium markets — all from your home office.

How to Increase Your Recovery Coach Income

You don’t have to wait years to earn more. Here are six strategies that work, ranked by impact.

1. Get ICF Credentialed

Impact: +$25-50/session

ROI of Core Values Recovery Coach training:

• Training cost: $2,379

• Increased revenue: $25/session x 40 sessions/month = $1,000/month

• Payback period: just over 1 month

Long-term: $12,000+/year income increase

This is the highest-leverage move on the list. An ICF ACC-based credential immediately separates you from the crowd.

2. Specialize (Niche Down)

Generic “recovery coach”: $75-100/session

Specialized:

• Family recovery coach: $125-150/session

• Trauma-informed recovery coach: $150-175/session

• Executive recovery coach: $200-300/session

Impact: +$25-100/session

When you serve everyone, you stand out to no one. Pick a niche and own it.

3. Package Your Services

Instead of: $150/session a la carte

Offer:

• 12-session package: $1,800 ($150/session, paid upfront)

• 6-month program (24 sessions): $3,000 ($125/session, but guaranteed income)

Benefits:

• Predictable income

• Higher commitment from clients

• Better outcomes (longer engagement = deeper work)

4. Add Group Coaching

1-on-1 coaching: $150/session, 1 client = $150

Group coaching: $50/person, 8 people = $400/session

Same time investment, 2.6x revenue.

Popular groups:

• Family members navigating a loved one’s addiction

• Early recovery support groups

• Professional development for other coaches

5. Create Passive Income

Digital products:

• Courses: $200-500

• Workbooks: $20-50

• Membership community: $30-100/month

Example:

• 50 course sales/year x $300 = $15,000 passive income

• Supplements your coaching income without adding hours

6. Partner with Treatment Centers

Referral agreements:

• Treatment center refers clients post-discharge

• You provide ongoing coaching

• They get continuity of care. You get clients.

Contract coaching:

• Center hires you for alumni support (monthly retainer)

• Guaranteed income, less marketing needed

Income Breakdown: Expenses to Consider

If you go the self-employed route, your gross revenue is not your take-home pay. Here’s what the real numbers look like.

Business Expenses (~20-30% of revenue):

• Professional liability insurance: $200-500/year

• ICF membership: $270/year

• Platform/tools: $0-600/year (Core Values Recovery Coach graduates get access to coaching tools)

• Marketing: $500-2,000/year

• Continuing education: $500-1,500/year

• Office/Zoom subscription: $200/year

• Accounting/legal: $500-1,000/year

Taxes (~25-30% of revenue):

• Self-employment tax (15.3%)

• Federal income tax (10-24% depending on bracket)

• State income tax (varies)

Example:

• Gross revenue: $75,000/year

• Business expenses: -$7,500 (10%)

• Taxes: -$18,750 (25%)

• Net income: $48,750

Compare to employed:

• Salary: $52,000

• Taxes: -$10,400 (20%, employer pays half)

• Net income: $41,600

Private practice can earn more — but don’t forget to account for expenses when you’re comparing options.

Real Coach Income Reports (Core Values Recovery Coach Graduates)

These are real numbers from Core Values Recovery Coach graduates. Not projections — actual results.

Coach A: 12 Months Post-Graduation

Background: No prior coaching experience, ICF ACC in progress Clients: 9 active Rate: $100/session Sessions: 18/month average Revenue: $1,800/month = $21,600/year (part-time) Time: ~25 hours/month

Coach B: 18 Months Post-Graduation

Background: Former therapist who added coaching, ICF ACC credentialed Clients: 12 active Rate: $150/session Sessions: 24/month average Revenue: $3,600/month = $43,200/year (part-time) Time: ~35 hours/month

Coach C: 24 Months Post-Graduation

Background: Full-time private practice, ICF PCC in progress Clients: 15 active Rate: $175/session Sessions: 32/month average Revenue: $5,600/month = $67,200/year (full-time) Time: ~60 hours/month

These are real coaches who completed Core Values Recovery Coach training. Their starting point? The same place you’re in right now — researching whether this career is worth pursuing.

Can You Make Six Figures as a Recovery Coach?

Yes. But you should know what it takes:

1. Experience (3-5 years minimum)

You can’t charge $200+/session without a track record. That’s true in any coaching field.

2. ICF PCC Credential

Premium pricing requires premium credentials. The Core Values Recovery Coach training puts you on the ICF ACC path — PCC comes with experience and continued development.

3. Specialization

Generic doesn’t command premium. Niche does. Pick the population you care most about — individuals in early recovery, families navigating addiction, executives protecting their careers — and go deep.

4. Business Skills

Marketing, sales, systems — you’re running a business, not just coaching clients. The coaches earning six figures treat it like one.

5. High Volume OR High Rates

Option A: 40 sessions/month x $150 = $72,000/year Option B: 25 sessions/month x $250 = $75,000/year

Option C: 30 sessions/month x $200 + group coaching + digital products = $100,000+/year

Most six-figure coaches use some version of Option C.

Recovery Coach Salary vs Other Helping Professions

What stands out about recovery coaching:

• Faster to start than therapy (months vs years)

• Comparable income to entry-level therapists

• Lower barrier to entry

• More scalable (groups, digital products, packages)

If you want to help people in recovery and you don’t want to spend six years in grad school first, this career path deserves a serious look.

Is Recovery Coaching Worth It Financially?

Let’s compare the two paths side by side.

Traditional Career Path (Therapist):

• Time: 6 years (Master’s + supervised hours)

• Cost: $80,000 (tuition + living expenses)

• Debt: $50,000+ average

• Starting salary: $50,000

Recovery Coach Path (Core Values Recovery Coach):

• Time: 6-12 months (training + building your practice)

• Cost: $2,379

• Debt: $0

• First-year income: $20,000-40,000 (part-time)

Break-even:

• Therapist: 8-10 years to pay off debt

• Recovery coach: Profitable from month 1

Income ceiling:

• Therapist: $75,000-100,000 (often capped by insurance rates)

• Recovery coach: $60,000-150,000+ (you set your rates)

The financial verdict: Recovery coaching offers faster ROI, comparable income, and more flexibility. It’s not the right path for everyone — but if you’re drawn to this work, the economics are strongly in your favor.

How to Maximize Your Recovery Coach Income: A Year-by-Year Roadmap

Year 1: Build Your Foundation

• Goal: $20,000-30,000

• Complete ICF ACC-based training (like Core Values Recovery Coach)

• Get your first 5-10 clients

• Charge $75-100/session

• Focus on experience and outcomes, not income

Year 2: Raise Your Rates

• Goal: $40,000-50,000

• Earn your ICF ACC credential

• Raise rates to $125-150

• Expand to 10-12 clients

• Collect testimonials and case studies

Year 3: Specialize and Scale

• Goal: $60,000-80,000

• Niche down (family recovery, trauma-informed, executive, etc.)

• Charge $150-175/session

• 15+ clients OR add group coaching

• Build your referral network with treatment centers

Year 4-5: Premium Positioning

• Goal: $80,000-100,000+

• Pursue ICF PCC credential (if that’s your path)

• Charge $175-250/session

• Add passive income (courses, membership community)

• Reduce client load if you want — or scale further

Related Articles:

• How to Become an ICF-Certified Recovery Coach

• Recovery Coach vs Therapist

• How to Start a Recovery Coaching Practice