How Much Does Leadership Coaching Cost? (2026 Data)
Leadership coaching costs $159 an hour at the median, based on 3,028 leadership coaches who publish their rates. The middle half charge $102 to $238 an hour, and the top 10% charge $350 or more. US leadership coaches have a typical rate of $175. Coaches with the ICF's PCC credential charge a typical $200 an hour.
Key numbers
- Typical (median) hourly rate: $159 (n = 3,028).
- Middle half of leadership coaches: $102 to $238 an hour.
- US leadership coaches: $175 typical (n = 1,459).
- PCC-credentialed coaches: $200 typical (n = 92), about $49 more than coaches who list no credential.
- Leadership coaches on coaching marketplaces: $129 typical (n = 29).
How much do leadership coaches charge per hour?
This is the full hourly price spread for 3,028 leadership coaches who post a rate on a public directory profile.
| Where the coach sits | Hourly rate |
|---|---|
| Lower end (bottom 10%) | $70 |
| Lower quarter | $102 |
| Typical (median) | $159 |
| Upper quarter | $238 |
| Top end (top 10%) | $350 |
The average (mean) rate is $193, well above the median, because a group of coaches at the top charges much more than the rest. The top 10% start at five times the bottom 10%. For comparison, executive coaches have a typical rate of $188 an hour, so leadership coaching usually costs less per hour.
What leadership coaches charge in each country
Six countries have 20 or more leadership coaches with a posted rate.
| Country | n | Lower quarter | Typical (median) | Upper quarter |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | 1,459 | $115 | $175 | $250 |
| Canada | 250 | $88 | $141 | $212 |
| United Kingdom | 138 | $133 | $189 | $265 |
| Australia | 52 | $124 | $156 | $210 |
| South Africa | 49 | $60 | $138 | $200 |
| Singapore | 32 | $159 | $250 | $300 |
Singapore has the highest median at $250, and the UK follows at $189. The US is next at $175, then Australia at $156. Canada ($141) and South Africa ($138) are the lowest. The overall $159 median also counts leadership coaches outside these six countries.
Do ICF-certified leadership coaches charge more?
Most leadership coaches (2,751 of 3,028, or about 91%) list no coaching credential. Among those who do, the PCC is the one that comes with a clear price jump.
| Credential listed | n | Lower quarter | Typical (median) | Upper quarter |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| None listed | 2,751 | $100 | $151 | $231 |
| ICF (level not stated) | 94 | $115 | $175 | $250 |
| ACC (ICF Associate Certified Coach) | 79 | $112 | $155 | $225 |
| PCC (ICF Professional Certified Coach) | 92 | $159 | $200 | $275 |
The ICF (International Coaching Federation) sets a floor of 100 coaching hours and 8 clients for its ACC, and 500 hours and 25 clients for its PCC (ICF). PCC leadership coaches charge a typical $200, about $49 more than coaches with no credential listed. ACC coaches charge a typical $155, almost the same as coaches with none. Coaches who mention the ICF without a level charge $175. Too few leadership coaches list the top level, the MCC, for us to report it.
Directories vs coaching marketplaces
Leadership coaches also sell sessions on coaching marketplaces. 29 leadership coaches post a rate there.
| Where the rate is posted | n | Lower quarter | Typical (median) | Upper quarter |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Directory profiles and coach sites | 3,028 | $102 | $159 | $238 |
| Coaching marketplaces | 29 | $129 | $129 | $225 |
The marketplace median is $129, about $30 below the directory median. The lower quarter and the median are both $129, which means a large share of marketplace coaches post that exact price. None of these 29 marketplace coaches list a range. Each posts a single price, while 91% of directory coaches post a range. With only 29 coaches, treat the marketplace figure as a signal, not a firm rule.
What leadership coaching costs over several sessions
Here is what a set of one-hour sessions costs at the directory rates above. We worked these out ourselves from posted hourly rates, so they are estimates and not package quotes.
| Number of sessions | At the lower quarter ($102) | At the typical rate ($159) | At the upper quarter ($238) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 sessions | $612 | $954 | $1,428 |
| 12 sessions | $1,224 | $1,908 | $2,856 |
If a coach quotes a package, divide the price by the number of live coaching hours to compare it with these hourly rates.
What drives the price
- The PCC credential. It goes with a typical rate about $49 higher. The ACC goes with almost no change.
- Country. Singapore ($250) and the UK ($189) sit above the US ($175). South Africa ($138) and Canada ($141) are lowest.
- Where the coach sells. Marketplace coaches in our data post a lower typical price ($129) than coaches on directories and their own sites ($159).
- Price ranges. 91% of directory coaches post a range. The typical low end is $106 and the typical high end is $200. If a coach quotes near the top of their range, ask what you get for the extra.
- A long top end. One in ten leadership coaches charges $350 an hour or more.
CoachVouch. "How Much Does Leadership Coaching Cost?." September 2026. https://coachvouch.com/research/how-much-does-leadership-coaching-cost/Common questions
How much do leadership coaches charge per hour?
The typical leadership coach charges $159 an hour. The middle half charge $102 to $238, and the top 10% charge $350 or more.
What is the average cost of leadership coaching?
The average (mean) rate is $193 an hour. The median of $159 is a better guide, because a small group of high-priced coaches pulls the average up.
How much does leadership coaching cost in the US?
US leadership coaches charge a typical $175 an hour, with the middle half between $115 and $250 (n = 1,459).
Is leadership coaching cheaper than executive coaching?
Usually, yes. Leadership coaches charge a typical $159 an hour, compared with $188 for executive coaches.
How much do 12 sessions of leadership coaching cost?
At the typical rate of $159, 12 one-hour sessions come to about $1,908. At the upper quarter rate, the same 12 sessions cost about $2,856.
Related reading
- How much does executive coaching cost?
- Executive coach vs leadership coach
- Do certified coaches charge more?
- Is executive coaching worth it?
- Browse executive and leadership coaches
Sources
- International Coaching Federation, "Credentialing Experience Requirements": https://coachingfederation.org/credentialing/prepare-for-icf-credential-application/experience-requirements/