How Much Do BJJ Instructors Make? 3 Honest Factors That Influence Income

How Much Do BJJ Instructors Make?

TLDR: The income potential for Jiu Jitsu instructors depends on location, experience, and whether you’re teaching full-time or part-time, and your business sense and entrepeneurship skills. Instructors typically earn through regular classes, private lessons, and seminars, with full-time salaries ranging from $20,000 to $70,000 annually. Earning over $70,000 after expenses is rare and only happens with great business sense and a solid plan.

So, how much do BJJ instructors make?” For many, teaching Jiu-Jitsu begins as a part-time gig to supplement another source of income, but with time and the right setup, it can transition into a full-time career offering solid earnings.

Table of Contents

• Full-Time vs. Part-Time Jiu-Jitsu Teaching
  • How Much Do BJJ Instructors Make? Part-Time Income Potential
  • Full-Time Income Potential
• Salary Ranges by Location
  • Small Towns and Rural Areas
  • Suburban Areas
  • Large Cities
• Concrete Examples of Earnings
• Conclusion

Full-Time vs. Part-Time Jiu-Jitsu Teaching

Whether you pursue Jiu-Jitsu instruction as a full-time career or a part-time activity greatly influences your income potential.

How Much Do BJJ Instructors Make? Part-Time Income Potential

For those teaching part-time, your income is likely to come from running a few weekly classes or private lessons, often at an existing gym. Part-time teaching provides flexibility but limits overall income.

Examples of part-time earnings:

• Weekly Classes: Teaching 2-3 classes per week at $20 to $50 per class in smaller towns, rising to $75 in larger cities.
  • Example: 3 classes a week at $40 per class = $480 per month, or $5,760 annually.
• Private Lessons: Rates vary between $50 and $100 per hour. Teaching just 2 private lessons a week at $75 adds up to $600 per month, or $7,200 annually.

Combined, part-time teaching could bring in $10,000 to $15,000 annually, a reasonable supplement to other work.

Also read: Can You make a living teaching Jiu Jitsu? Yes! 100%

Full-Time Income Potential

Full-time instructors typically earn income from regular classes, private lessons, seminars, and possibly online content. Owning or managing a gym adds another layer of responsibility, along with increased income potential.

Examples of full-time earnings:

• Gym Ownership/Teaching Classes: If you own a gym, teaching 10-15 classes per week could bring in $75 to $150 per membership, with gyms ranging from 50 to 150 members.
  • Example: 50 students paying $100 per month = $5,000 per month, or $60,000 annually, with potential net income ranging from $20,000 to $40,000 after expenses.
• Private Lessons: As a full-time instructor, you may teach 3-5 lessons per week at $75 to $100 per hour, bringing in around $14,400 per year.
• Seminars: High-level instructors often earn income through seminars, charging $500 to $2,000 per event. However, seminar earnings tend to fluctuate.

In total, full-time instructors in smaller gyms can expect to make $30,000 to $50,000 annually, with larger gyms or city-based academies bringing in $60,000 to $70,000.

Salary Ranges by Location

Where you teach Jiu-Jitsu plays a big role in determining what you can charge and how much you can earn.

Small Towns and Rural Areas

• Class Rates: $20 to $50 per class
• Private Lessons: $50 to $75 per hour
• Income Potential: Part-time instructors might earn $8,000 to $15,000 annually, while full-time instructors could bring in $20,000 to $40,000 after expenses.

Suburban Areas

• Class Rates: $40 to $75 per class
• Private Lessons: $75 to $100 per hour
• Income Potential: Part-time instructors may earn $15,000 to $25,000, while full-time instructors can expect $30,000 to $50,000 per year.

Large Cities

• Class Rates: $75 to $150 per class
• Private Lessons: $100 to $150 per hour
• Income Potential: Full-time instructors in large cities can earn $50,000 to $70,000 per year, though making over $100,000 is rare.

Concrete Examples of Earnings

1. Small Gym Owner in a Suburban Area:
   • 50 students paying $100 per month = $5,000 per month
   • 4 private lessons per week at $75 = $1,200 per month
   • Monthly earnings: $6,200, or $74,400 annually. Net income might range from $30,000 to $40,000 after expenses.
2. Full-Time Instructor in a Major City:
   • 100 students paying $125 per month = $12,500 per month
   • 5 private lessons per week at $100 each = $2,000 per month
   • 1 seminar per month at $1,000 = $1,000 per month
   • Monthly earnings: $15,500, or $186,000 annually. After expenses, net income could be $60,000 to $70,000.
3. Part-Time Instructor in a Small Town:
   • 3 classes per week at $40 each = $480 per month
   • 2 private lessons per week at $50 each = $400 per month
   • Monthly earnings: $880, or $10,560 annually.

Conclusion

Teaching Jiu-Jitsu full-time or part-time can be financially rewarding, but the income potential varies based on location, experience, and student base. Full-time instructors can expect to make $30,000 to $50,000 annually, with higher earnings in big cities. Part-time teaching remains a viable supplementary income source, typically bringing in $10,000 to $20,000 per year. Though some instructors may earn more than $70,000, reaching six figures after expenses is rare without multiple income streams.