What is the Salary Potential of Sports Scout? (2024)

A sports scout is someone who scouts talent for teams. They can work for professional teams who play in the NFL and other leagues, but they can also work for colleges. College scouts can help high school players get scholarships to play for those schools. They often spend long hours on the road and travel across the country to watch athletes play in person. Scouts can go to those players’ homes and meet with their families and friends too. Those who want to become scouts should make sure that they know how much they can make and what it takes to get a scouting job.

What Do Scouts Do?

Some teams hold practice sessions and let players audition for a walk-on spot, however many of the spots on the teams are filled by the end of the off-season Scouts who work for colleges follow the news and identify potential players. They then make arrangements to travel to the cities where those players live and watch them in action. Scouts for professional teams do the same things. All scouts are responsible for writing reports that show the potential of the athlete and whether the team should add that player to the roster.

Where Do Scouts Work?

The majority of scouts work for secondary schools to identify the top talent in the area and find ways to bring that talent to the team. Some scouts work for nonprofit groups and provide help to players who want to compete at the Olympic level. They need to make sure that the athletes follow the Olympic rules and guidelines. Those caught violating the rules cannot compete. Scouts can also work for colleges and professional teams. Employers expect scouts to be available to work on weekends, holidays and whenever teams play.

Becoming a Scout

A small number of scouts are former athletes who work for the schools or teams where they once played. Most scouts have a college degree though. Many employers require a bachelor’s degree in sports management or a similar field such as kinesiology or exercise science. Some colleges offer programs in athletic training that can help students find work as a scout. The National Association of State Boards of Education can help scouts get certificates to work in this field too. They may need a CPR certificate that shows they can perform CPR or a coaching certificate.

Scout Salary and Outlook

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median salary for a sports scout is $33,780 a year. Those who work for professional teams, colleges and secondary schools earn the highest salary of more than $45,000 a year. Scouts who earn the least include those who work in elementary and public schools. They can expect to earn around $28,000 a year. Many schools and other employers offer bonuses when scouts sign new players or find new talent. The BLS believes that the need for scouts will grow by 13 percent by 2026, which is faster than average and represents the addition of more than 35,000 scouts.

Related Resource: 20 Best Bachelor Degrees for Future Sports Management Professionals

Scouts can work for colleges, professional teams, nonprofit organizations and public and private schools. The need for these professionals will grow at a fast rate and help a sports scout earn $28,000 to more than $45,000 a year.

What is the Salary Potential of Sports Scout? (2024)

FAQs

What is the Salary Potential of Sports Scout? ›

The average professional sports scout salary in the United States is $42,224. Professional sports scout salaries typically range between $27,000 and $65,000 yearly. The average hourly rate for professional sports scouts is $20.3 per hour.

Do scouts make good money? ›

The average scout salary ranges between $28,000 and $118,000 in the US. Scouts' hourly rates in the US typically range between $13 and $56 an hour. Scouts earn the highest salaries in New York (88,557), California (78,417), and Alaska (77,612). Scout salaries at Point72 are the highest of any company.

How much money does a NFL scout make? ›

There are two categories of scouts in the NFL, and both types earn different salaries. The directors of scouting for NFL teams make between $95,000 and $275,000 per year. Then there are the road scouts that make around $20,000 to $95,000 depending on their experience and the caliber of the team they work for.

What does a sport scout do? ›

Scouts assess the skills of both amateur and professional athletes. Scouts seek out top athletic candidates for colleges or professional teams and evaluate their likelihood of success at a higher competitive level.

How much does a NHL team scout get paid? ›

Hockey Scout Salary
Annual SalaryMonthly Pay
Top Earners$250,000$20,833
75th Percentile$103,000$8,583
Average$81,271$6,772
25th Percentile$38,500$3,208

How much do NBA scouts make? ›

Base salaries for NBA scouts can range from around $40,000 to over $100,000 per year, with the average salary falling somewhere on the lower end. In addition to their base salary, many scouts are eligible for bonuses based on their performance and the team's success.

Do you need a college degree to be a NFL scout? ›

While a college degree isn't necessary, earning one demonstrates to teams that you have more to offer, distinguishing you from your peers. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics says that scouts typically have degrees in business, marketing, sales, or sports management.

Do NFL Waterboys get Super Bowl rings? ›

The Average NFL Waterboy Gets Paid More Than You, And If Their Team Wins The Super Bowl – They Get A Ring. I'm not sure which rabbit hole I was going down when I learned this information. But when a team wins the Super Bowl, the members of the staff usually all get a ring, too.

What is the difference between a football agent and scout? ›

The difference between scouts and agents is that the scouts will be observing players on behalf of clubs and assessing the scope for their inclusion in the future in their club's first team and academies.

How do you get into sports scouting? ›

A sports scout usually needs a bachelor's degree in exercise science, sports science, business administration, marketing, or a similar field. After obtaining this degree, you can apply for training and certification with a scouting agency.

How many sports scouts are there in the US? ›

They may attend a game in the hopes of recruiting a player, or they may accumulate information about an opponent's players and strategies. There are approximately 241,390 scouts and coaches employed in the United States, according to the Department of Labor.

What skills do you need to be a sports scout? ›

Sports scouts must be detail oriented and methodical in order to understand the rules, regulations, fundamentals, strategies, and personality types that are best suited to athletic competition. Above-average organizational skills are also essential.

Do scouts get commission? ›

They also share something else unique in Scouting: a commission. The issuance of a commission represents the formal empowerment by the BSA to perform the duties and undertake the responsibilities for a designated commissioner position and the acceptance of that obligation by the commissioner.

How much does an NHL Waterboy make? ›

Waterboy - Thanks to Adam Sandler almost everyone knows what a waterboy is. Even though the role itself is sometimes forgotten, they still get paid an average of $53,000 and on top of that have an amazing view of any NFL game.

Do scout leaders get paid in USA? ›

A typical senior leader salary at Boy Scouts of America is $110,494.

Do NBA scouts travel a lot? ›

If there is someone who can dribble a ball in the far reaches of Mongolia, you can bet NBA teams know about him and have a scout on the way. But as much fun as a career as a scout may be it is important to know that it will likely come with a lot of travel and sacrifice.

How much do NBA cameramen make a year? ›

Average Basketball Videographer Salary

However, NBA videographer jobs pay $66,192 per year on average, and NBA videographers that work for ESPN earn nearly $75,000 per year. The bottom line is that as you move up in the profession and earn more exclusive jobs, you can expect to command a higher salary.

How much do d1 basketball scouts make? ›

As of Jun 25, 2023, the average hourly pay for a College Basketball Scout in the United States is $17.53 an hour.

Why is Scout in trouble? ›

When Miss Caroline offers to lend Walter Cunningham lunch money, Scout is punished for taking it upon herself to explain Miss Caroline's faux pas to her. (Walter refuses to take the money because his family is too poor to pay it back.)

Who is the greatest Scout of all time? ›

Frank Grouard
BuriedAshland Cemetery, St. Joseph, Missouri, United States
AllegianceUnited States of America
Service/branchUnited States Army
RankChief Scout
8 more rows

How old do you have to be to be a Scout in 2023? ›

Youth Participants must be at least 14 by the first day of the Jamboree, August 1, 2023 and have not turned 18 by the last day of the jamboree, August 12, 2023. Youth participants spaces are open to ALL registered members of Scouts BSA, Venturing, and Sea Scouting.

How much does the Scouting Academy cost? ›

How much does the Academy cost? The 16-week semester is $950 USD.

How do you get hired as an NFL scout? ›

How To Become An NFL Scout
  1. Get involved in football. First up, you should get involved in football. ...
  2. Get educated and certified. A degree is not a must-have for NFL scouts, but it is highly desirable. ...
  3. Build connections. What is this? ...
  4. Get a scouting internship. ...
  5. Be passionate about what you are doing.

How do you get scouted for NFL? ›

To get recruited for football, athletes need to start by researching which division levels they qualify for athletically and what kinds of schools they are interested in. Once they've created their target list of schools, they should start proactively reaching out to the coaches on their list.

Do NFL players get their own hotel room? ›

The marquee players will get their own rooms, and some of them might even get something really plush. But for rookies and lesser known players, they will have to bunk up with a teammate.

Do waterboys travel with the team? ›

As he explained, water boys also get to travel with the team and spend time with players, in addition to other perks.

Do losers get Super Bowl rings? ›

What about the losers? They also get a ring – though not one to commemorate their presence at the Super Bowl. Super Bowl losers still get a ring honoring them as champions of their respective conference, the AFC or NFC.

Do football scouts look for defenders? ›

Football scouts looking for defenders are looking for great 1 on 1 defense, tactical awareness and correct ball distribution. Being a defender is another of those positions that have changed completely on the scout's eyes in modern football.

What do football scouts look for? ›

To play sport at a professional level you have to be fit and, in football, this encompasses not just strength but also stamina, balance, agility, pace, and jumping ability. Demonstrating these abilities as well as maintaining your health and fitness, are sure ways to impress football scouts.

What do NFL scouts look for in a player? ›

Size, speed, strength, physicality, agility, balance, and many other physical traits are significant as well. And for the most part, every player must have the baseline physical traits to even survive as a professional football player.

How do you become a NCAA scout? ›

They will start as an intern for a local sports team or work for their alma mater as a graduate assistant in their athletic department and learn how to be a scout. Once they have paid their dues as an unpaid intern, they will be given positions as either regional scouts or assistants to regional scouts.

In what grade are colleges scouting for sports? ›

For most Division I and Division II sports, coaches can start proactively reaching out to recruits June 15 after sophom*ore year or September 1 of junior year. However, many coaches—think: Division I and some top-tier DII schools—will make scholarship offers to athletes as young as 7th and 8th grade.

How do I get noticed by college football scouts? ›

Here are 10 tips to help you in the recruiting process.
  1. Register for NCAA Clearinghouse.
  2. Focus on your grades.
  3. Make a list of your college choices.
  4. Meet with academic counselor at school.
  5. Hudl highlights.
  6. Create a database of coach contacts.
  7. Discuss any possible official visits.
  8. Put together a summer camp and combine calendar.
Dec 19, 2018

What state has the most scouts? ›

2017 state-by-state rankings (population-adjusted)
RankStateUnder-18 Boys
1Utah473,208
2Idaho223,599
3Rhode Island106,630
4Virginia954,775
40 more rows
Mar 5, 2018

What is the largest Scouting organization in the US? ›

The Boy Scouts of America (the BSA) is the largest Scouting organization in the United States of America and one of the largest youth organizations in the United States, with millions of active youth participants and adult volunteers.

What rank are scouts? ›

Scouts BSA has seven ranks: Scout, Tenderfoot, Second Class, First Class, Star, Life and Eagle. Requirements are found in the Scouts BSA Handbook and online. Advancement has four steps: Learn, Test, Review and Recognize.

What makes a good scout? ›

Scout Law. A Scout is trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean, and reverent.

Who funds the scouts? ›

Responsibility for the finance of Scout Network lies with the District Trustee Board. The District Trustee Board should bear in mind the principle of 'free to join' and 'pay to play'.

What is the golden rule for scouts? ›

"Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." That's a great guide for living, Scouts. If we always followed that rule, we would always be kind to others because no one wants unkindness done to him.

Is it good to join scout? ›

Scouting helps youth develop academic skills, self-confidence, ethics, leadership skills, and citizenship skills that influence their adult lives. Try new things. Provide service to others.

How much does a towel boy in the NFL make? ›

How much does an NFL waterboy make? The typical starting salary for a waterboy is $53,000 per year according to stack.com. However, with more experience one can earn a lot more than this. Waterboys are also provided with certain perks that can help push their salaries even higher.

How much does a NFL ball boy make? ›

A National Football League ball boy makes an estimated $40,376 annually. This money is about $19.41 an hour, equivalent to $776/week or $3,364/month. The average pay range for a ball boy varies greatly, suggesting that there may be opportunities for increased pay based on skill level, location, and years of experience.

How much do NFL trainers make? ›

Your experience and the acclaim of the gym you work for can have a significant impact on your compensation levels. A 25th-percentile earner reports annual income of $32,000, while high-earners in the 75th-percentile report earning $113,500 per year.

Can scout leaders carry guns? ›

While various state laws have authorized individual Scouters to legally carry or conceal firearms, Scouters/parents/volunteers are not permitted to carry them while involved in Scouting activities outside of the shooting sports program.

What is the highest of Scout staff? ›

You must also earn five more merit badges. EAGLE SCOUT is the highest rank attainable. To become an Eagle Scout, you must earn a total of 21 merit badges and demonstrate Scout Spirit, service and leadership.

What is the job outlook for an athletic Scout? ›

Summary
Quick Facts: Coaches and Scouts
On-the-job TrainingNone
Number of Jobs, 2021244,300
Job Outlook, 2021-3120% (Much faster than average)
Employment Change, 2021-3148,800
3 more rows
Sep 8, 2022

Is it a good idea to be a Boy Scout? ›

Scouting helps youth develop academic skills, self-confidence, ethics, leadership skills, and citizenship skills that influence their adult lives. Try new things. Provide service to others. Build self-confidence.

How do Boy Scouts make money? ›

The Council's proceeds contribute to operating funds. Financial resources for the Council come from an annual Friends of Scouting campaign, local United Ways, foundation grants, special events, project sales, investment income, trust funds, bequests, and gifts of real and personal property.

Are Boy Scouts more successful in life? ›

Eagle Scouts are also 64 percent more likely than non-Scouts to report they achieved a personal goal in the last year. Report they achieved a professional goal in the last year: Eagle Scouts are roughly 29 percent more likely than non-Scouts.

What are the benefits of joining Scouts? ›

The benefits of Scouting
  • Scouting is about having fun, building good relationships, and taking part in activities that contribute to the community and improve life chances. ...
  • Scouting helps businesses.
  • Scouting develops social skills for young people & leaders.
  • Scouting improves employment chances for young people.

What is the oldest age to be a Boy Scout? ›

Youth can join Scouts BSA if they are at least 10 years old, currently in the fifth grade and register on or after March 1st; OR have earned the Arrow of Light Award and are at least 10 years old, OR are age 11 but have not reached age 18.

What age is too late to join Boy Scouts? ›

What is the age range for joining Scouts BSA? Youth can join a Scout troop who have earned the Arrow of Light rank and are at least 10 years old, or have completed the fifth grade and are at least 10, or who are 11, but not yet 18 years old.

What is the average age of a Boy Scout? ›

Boy Scouts of America
Age rangeCub Scouts: 5–10 Scouts BSA: 10–18 Venturing: 14–21 Sea Scouts: 14–21 Scout Leader: 18+ for Cub Scouts and Scouts BSA; 21+ for Venturing and Sea Scouting
HeadquartersIrving, Texas
LocationUnited States, Europe, Japan and South Korea
CountryUnited States
13 more rows

How much money does the CEO of the Boy Scouts make? ›

How Much Does the CEO of Boy Scouts Make? The current CEO of the Boy Scouts of America is Roger C. Mosby, whose official title is Chief Scout Executive. This position comes with a $1,577,6000 annual salary.

Do Scouts get commission? ›

They also share something else unique in Scouting: a commission. The issuance of a commission represents the formal empowerment by the BSA to perform the duties and undertake the responsibilities for a designated commissioner position and the acceptance of that obligation by the commissioner.

Who funds the Scouts? ›

Responsibility for the finance of Scout Network lies with the District Trustee Board. The District Trustee Board should bear in mind the principle of 'free to join' and 'pay to play'.

What's higher than a Boy Scout? ›

Eagle Scout is the highest rank attainable in the Scouts BSA division of the Boy Scouts of America. Since its introduction in 1911, the Eagle Scout rank has been earned by more than two million young men.

Is Bill Gates an Eagle Scout? ›

FAMOUS SCOUTS, but not Eagles

Bill Gates - Life, founder of Microsoft Corp.

Is there a future for the Boy Scouts? ›

The Boy Scouts has forecast that it will have 1.4 million members in 2025 but would have had 1.9 million if it hadn't been for the Covid-19 pandemic, according to March testimony in the bankruptcy court. In the past decade, the group has expanded its reach to counter a decline in membership.

What age should you join Scouts? ›

School aged children can join their local Scout Group from the age of 5 and enjoy a journey of up to 20 years progressing through the different Sections of Scouting.

How do Scouts rank up? ›

Scouts plan their own advancement and progress through the ranks at their own pace. With the exception of Cub Scouts, Scouts achieve new ranks by developing new skills and knowledge; having those skills and knowledge tested; going before a board or review; and then being recognized for his or her achievement.

What is the ranking of Scouts? ›

A Scout can complete requirements for any other rank in virtually any order, but the ranks must be earned in sequence (Scout, Tenderfoot, Second Class, First Class, Star, Life, and Eagle).

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