ICF -Vancouver Coach Federation

Research in general has demonstrated that what coaches say they charge, and what clients say they pay tends to be different. Coaches often discount their rates. This would be accross North America. This being said, I have inquired about the same thing recently in Vancouver, and I have found that that for executive coaching offered by ACC coaches, rates are from $175 to $225. But I have seen as low as $75 per hour in non for profit, and for small organizations. Life coaching is lower: between $75 and $150 is what I have seen most often.

To my knowledge, the rate you are talking about would be for an MCC (master certified coach), coaching top executives in fair size organizations. I wish you find the clients who are ready to honor your rates in Vancouver. There are some, I am sure.

Sorry that I can't provide any info that would be more scientific. I will be looking avec interest to all other replies to your query.

Janon

Janon,

Thank you so much for your reply.

If these figures are correct it must be hard to make a living or at least a good living off of coaching here (not to be confused with making a meaningful living), unless you have large frame agreements with several companies.

I wonder did you by chance look at what process consultants, facilitators and therapists charge?

Max

In my experience there is a higher 'top end' in executive coaching, where C-level strategic coaches charge $250 - $300 / hr or more.  In fact, I have had clients advise that the "ballpark" for senior level coaching seems to be around $1000 for four sessions a month as a flat rate. 

As for process analysts, facilitators, therapists, I've seen rates from $150 - $180 but rarely over $200.00.

Thank you for the info Kathy.

That would mean that Vancouver prices are about 50-33% of say New York or Scandinavian prices - where I charge a $350/h minimum and up to $1000+/h for Exec and talent, and work minimum 6 months with a client, unless they've worked with me before.

Would you happen to know anything about the size of the coaching market in Canada? Any studies done recently? 

I am not aware of any studies, but others monitoring this discussion may know.  The ICF may have some data. 

Hi Max,

From my informal research with coaches, I developed a range of prices that I present to clients who are looking to hire a coach. It goes as follows:

$75 - $150 per month (beginner coaches)

$150 - $250 per month - 1 to 2 years experience

$250 - $500 per month - 3 to 4 years experience

$500 - $1000 per month - 5 to 10 years experience

$1000+ - 10+ years of experience

Of course this is just a guideline and some new coaches charge $500 right from the start. But it makes sense for the client as a rough guideline.

Meanwhile, in my personal experience in the construction management industry, my billable rates were 30 to 40% less. In the US I would charge $105 per hour and in Canada I would be hard pressed to get $70 per hour. Construction management is a completely different industry from coaching but I think you are right to discount NYC rates by 33 to 50%.

Good luck.

Stephan Wiedner
Noomii.com

Hi Stephen,

Thank you for sharing your informal research so generously.

Will put it to good use!

Cheers,

Max

Hi Max:

Rates for executive and/or business coaching will depend mostly on the ability of the coach to demonstrate increased productivity and/or profitability for clients. 

Cheers,

Tom

Hi all there has been some research done regarding the differences in what organizations are looking for in Canada versus other areas.  One thing that shows up in this research is that accreditation is more important in Canada than the US, I am not sure how Sweden rated accreditation.  I do find the rate a little lower in Vancouver than Calgary.  Having said that the client seems to be willing to pay the higher rates when I show them years of experience and client lists with some imperical data.  In Canada when coaching in an organization (I) we tend to bill a monthly rate versus an hourly rate.

Lori-anne & Tom,

Thank you for your input.

Relocating to Canada now is the fourth time I've been part of the start of a growing coaching market (hopefully!), having taken part of the US market, the French market, and the Danish/Swedish market earlier.

I've found that in most countries that didn't adopt coaching quickly as a service, and as a management/leadership style/tool, tend to over emphasize accreditation and schooling - both the "clients" and new/struggeling coaches (and the clients usually are just reacting to how coaches are relating to these qualifications in their communication with the market - the irony being that those two aspects of a coach doesn't really guarantee anything). And Sweden all though an earlier adopter is no exception. 

What has happened there though is that results and relationships is everything, because the ICF unfortunately hasn't succeeded in marketing itself, and many new organizations like EMCC (European Mentoring and Coaching Council) are catering to more advanced coaches and thus winning a lot of ICF members.