How Much Do Executive Function Coaches Make? What You Can Expect and How to Earn It
- Sean G. McCormick
- 3 days ago
- 8 min read
This article is brought to you by the Special Educator's 10-Minute Transition Toolkit.
Find your niche, run your first session, set your price, and grab a ready-to-use coaching contract. Designed for special educators exploring executive function coaching.
Curious what executive function coaches actually do, how much they earn, and how to get started?
In this post, you will learn what EF coaches are, typical income ranges, and the key steps to build a flexible high earning coaching practice with multiple income streams.👇
Table of Contents:
The job market has seen some pretty wild changes lately.
While some careers are becoming obsolete (thanks, AI), others are exploding with opportunity.
Executive function coaching sits firmly in the second category, and for good reason.
Think about it: we're living in a world where distractions multiply by the day, where ADHD diagnoses are on the rise (an increase of nearly 1 million in the last decade alone).
And, where both students and professionals struggle to manage their time, stay organized, and regulate their emotions.
The demand for executive function coaches has skyrocketed, creating a career path that's both personally rewarding and financially promising.
If you're wondering about your next career move, this field might be calling your name.
Now, it’s time to learn what executive function coaches actually earn, the factors that influence their income, and the concrete steps you can take to build a thriving practice.
What Is an Executive Function Coach?
An executive function coach helps people develop the skills they need to manage their daily lives effectively.
EF coaches work with a diverse range of clients.
One day, they might help a student struggling with homework routines.
The next, a professional who can't seem to meet deadlines.
They also help adults with ADHD who feel constantly overwhelmed, and anyone who wants to improve their organizational systems.
The core skills these coaches help develop include:
Time management and prioritization
Organization of physical and digital spaces
Task initiation and completion
Working memory strategies
Emotional regulation techniques
Goal setting and planning
It’s a field with broad appeal.
Unlike traditional therapy, executive functioning coaching focuses on practical, skill-based solutions rather than deep emotional work.
Coaches teach concrete strategies that clients can implement immediately.
The demand keeps growing because executive functioning challenges affect millions of people.
Roughly 11% of children have ADHD and nearly 3% have autism, with many adults receiving diagnoses later in life.
But executive functioning challenges extend beyond those official labels.
Students face increasing academic pressure, professionals juggle more responsibilities than ever, and our technology-saturated world makes focus harder to maintain, regardless of the diagnosis.
The Benefits of Becoming an Executive Function Coach
For starters, few careers offer the immediate satisfaction of watching someone transform their chaotic life into an organized, purposeful system.
Executive function coaches get to witness these breakthroughs regularly.
You might:
help a teenager finally submit assignments on time
guide a parent through creating family routines that actually work
support an executive in developing systems that prevent last-minute panics
You also benefit from unparalleled flexibility.
Most executive function coaches work independently, which means you control your schedule.
Want to work mornings only? Perfect.
Prefer evening sessions to accommodate working clients? That works too.
Many coaches blend in-person and virtual sessions expanding their potential client base beyond their immediate geographic area.
A great example of this is a graduate of our EF coach certification program, Josephine Isgro, who structures her week to work with clients both in-person and virtual. You can read Josephine's full story here.
When you become an EF coach, you're not climbing someone else's corporate ladder.
Instead, you're building your own practice where success depends on your skills, dedication, and business acumen.
You can choose your clients, set your rates, and develop specialized niches that interest you most.
Salary Expectations for Executive Function Coaches
Now, let's talk numbers.
According to a 2025 survey of EFCA graduates, executive function coaches typically charge between $75 and $200 per hour, with most falling in the $100-150 range, and some charging $250+ per hour.
Annual earnings vary widely based on several factors:
Experience Level
New coaches often start at lower rates while building their reputation and client base.
As you gain experience and develop proven systems, you can increase your rates substantially.
Many coaches raise their prices annually as their skills improve and demand increases.
Geographic Location
Coaches in major cities like New York, San Francisco, and Boston typically command higher rates than those in smaller towns.
However, virtual coaching has leveled this playing field somewhat, allowing skilled coaches anywhere to serve clients in high-paying markets.
Niche Specialization
Coaches who specialize in specific areas often earn more.
For example, those working with executives or college students may charge premium rates.
Specializing in areas like ADHD coaching for adults or academic coaching for gifted students can significantly boost earning potential.
Business Model
Freelance coaches who build their own practices generally earn more per hour than those employed by organizations.
However, employed coaches may receive benefits and more predictable income.
Some coaches blend both approaches, maintaining part-time or full-time employment while building their private practice.
EFCA graduate, Sarah Zeilstra, is someone who built her executive function coaching business while teaching full-time. Read Sarah's full story here.
Income Growth Potential
Your earning potential increases significantly with time and strategic choices.
Coaches who develop group programs, create digital products, or partner with schools and organizations often see substantial income growth.
Some successful coaches report doubling their income every few years as they refine their approach and expand their offerings.
How to Achieve a High Salary as an Executive Function Coach
Intrigued? Great!
Now, here’s how to get started as an EF coach:
Step 1: Get Certified
Professional training gives you credibility and skills that directly impact your earning potential.
While certification requirements vary by state, completing a comprehensive program demonstrates your commitment and competence to potential clients.
EFCA offers the EF Coach Certification Program that covers both the technical skills and business knowledge you need to succeed, as well as tools to use with clients.
Our program teaches you how to assess clients, develop effective interventions, and build a sustainable practice.
Step 2: Build Your Expertise
Start gaining experience as soon as possible, even if it means working at reduced rates initially.
Volunteer with local organizations, offer discounted sessions to build testimonials, or partner with schools to gain experience with diverse clients.
Stay current with research and best practices.
You can:
attend workshops
join professional organizations
The field evolves rapidly, and staying informed helps you provide better services and justify higher rates.
Step 3: Market Yourself Effectively
This one can be challenging for new coaches, but it’s important.
You’ve got to sell yourself!
Here are three tips:
Build Your Network: Connect with professionals who work with your target clients.
Teachers, therapists, pediatricians, and educational consultants can become valuable referral sources.
If your wanting a daily structure to get your first paying client, try our 90-day Get Your First Paying Client Challenge in our Skool community for EF coaches.
Create an Online Presence: Develop a professional website that clearly explains your services and includes client testimonials.
Share helpful content on social media platforms where your ideal clients spend time, and consider starting a blog or newsletter to establish yourself as an expert.
Leverage Word-of-Mouth: Satisfied clients are your best marketing tool.
Provide exceptional service, ask for referrals when appropriate, and maintain relationships with past clients who might need services again or know others who do.
Step 4: Diversify Your Income Streams
Once you feel comfortable in your new role as an executive function coach, branch out and diversify.
Where can you add further value?
For example, you may want to consider offering workshops or group coaching sessions to serve more people while maintaining good hourly rates.
EFCA graduate, Alison Eber, started offering group coaching services serving over 40 students.
You can also create digital products to provide ongoing income like:
workbooks
online courses
assessment tools
These products can serve clients between sessions or reach people who aren't ready for individual coaching.
Resources to Get Started
Before making any major career change, you’ll want to understand what you're getting into.
Our 10-minute Transition Toolkit gives you a realistic preview of starting an EF coaching business without any need for commitment.
This quick, affordable resource ($27) helps you make an informed decision about whether this career path fits your goals and lifestyle.
And once you're ready to keep moving forward, the Executive Function Coaching Academy offers a full certification program to build the foundations of starting your business and working with clients.
The academy shows you how other educators have successfully made this transition, providing real-world examples and strategies you can adapt for your situation.
From fundamental coaching knowledge to advanced business techniques, the program covers everything you need to start and scale a thriving practice.
The Bottom Line
With hourly rates reaching $250+ and annual earnings that can exceed $125,000 for established coaches, this fast-growing field provides some serious (and impressive) income opportunities for skilled professionals.
Here's a recap of the 4 steps to achieve a high salary as an EF coach:
Get certified through a program like the EF Coach Certification Course
Build your expertise by partnering with schools and offering discounted sessions
Market yourself by connecting with professionals and building a social presence
Diversify income streams with digital products, workshops, or group coaching
Hope this helps! 🤙🏻
FAQs
Do I need a specific degree or license to become an executive function coach?
Most executive function coaches come from education, psychology, or related fields, but there is no single required degree or government license for this work.
What matters most is high quality training, a clear framework for how you coach, and the ability to get results for your clients.
How long does it usually take to earn a solid income as an executive function coach?
Many former educators start with a few clients on the side and grow to a steady caseload over six to twelve months, depending on how consistently they market and network.
Your income grows faster when you niche down, raise your rates as your skills improve, and create repeatable systems instead of reinventing every session.
Can I do executive function coaching online, or do I need to work with clients in person?
Most coaches now work primarily online, which lets them support clients in different cities and choose a schedule that fits their life.
Some blend virtual and in person sessions, but you can absolutely build a thriving practice that is fully remote.
This article is a part of the larger category of:
The Business of Coaching Master Article Library (Coming Soon)
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About Me
Hey! I'm Sean 👋
I'm a former public school special education teacher who realized that executive function skills are more important than knowing when George Washington crossed the Potomac.
Since then, I've made it my mission to teach anyone who will listen about how to develop these key life skills.
In 2020, I founded Executive Function Specialists to ensure all students with ADHD and Autism have access to high-quality online executive function coaching services. We offer online EF coaching and courses to help students and families.
Realizing I could only reach so many people through coaching, in 2021 I started the Executive Function Coaching Academy which trains schools, educators, and individuals to learn the key strategies to improve executive function skills for students.
In 2023, I co-founded of UpSkill Specialists, to provide neurodivergent adults with high-quality executive function coaching services.
When not pursuing my passions through work, I love spending time with my family, getting exercise, and expanding my brain through reading. You can connect with me on LinkedIn.