Cheerleading Coaching Jobs | Qualifications, Safety Training & Pay

For Cheerleading Coaches

Cheerleading Coaching Jobs
Qualifications, Safety Training & Pay

Explore cheerleading coaching jobs nationwide and learn what programs look for—safety training expectations, certifications, and typical stipends. Then browse head and assistant cheer roles across schools, youth programs, and competitive cheer organizations.

Hundreds
Of Cheer Roles
50
States Covered
100%
Free for Coaches

Browse verified cheerleading coaching jobs—head coach, assistant coach, and specialty cheer roles.

Browse cheerleading coaching jobs by state: Arizona  •  Colorado  •  California  •  Illinois

Want to explore every sport? Visit all coaching jobs.

Featured Cheerleading Coaching Jobs

Explore real cheerleading coaching opportunities from schools, districts, youth programs, and competitive cheer organizations. These listings show the types of roles coaches apply for—from sideline cheer to competition teams and specialty instruction.

Here’s the type of cheerleading roles you’ll typically find on CoachBridge:

  • Varsity Head Cheer Coach – High School
  • Assistant Cheerleading Coach – JV / Varsity
  • Competitive Cheer Coach – Program / Club Team
  • Stunt & Tumbling Coach – Specialty Instructor
  • Youth Cheer Coach – Recreation / Community Program

What Cheerleading Coaching Roles Are Available?

Cheer programs rely on coaches who can teach fundamentals, build routines, keep athletes safe, and develop a strong team culture. Opportunities exist across sideline cheer, competitive cheer, and specialty instruction.

Head Cheerleading Coach

Leads the program, sets standards, plans practices, oversees safety, and manages routines, game-day responsibilities, and program communication.

Assistant Cheer Coach

Supports instruction and supervision, helps run drills, assists with choreography and routine cleaning, and provides day-to-day support for athletes.

Competitive Cheer Coach

Focuses on competition routines, performance precision, and skill progression for:

  • Stunts and pyramids
  • Tumbling progressions
  • Jumps, motions, and timing
  • Routine cleaning and conditioning

Stunt / Tumbling Instructor

Specialty instructors teach high-skill progressions, spotting, technique, and safe training habits—often in clubs, gyms, camps, or school programs.

Sideline Cheer Coach

Leads game-day preparation, crowd-leading, school spirit, and team behavior standards while balancing skill development and safety.

Youth & Development Coach

Builds fundamentals and confidence for younger athletes—often the best entry point for first-time coaches who love teaching and long-term development.

Key Requirements for Cheer Coaches

Qualifications Needed to Coach Cheerleading

Requirements vary by level, but most programs emphasize safety, structure, and strong communication.

Cheer Skills & Teaching Ability
Progressions matter.

Coaches should understand safe progressions for stunts, jumps, tumbling, motions, and conditioning—and be able to teach technique clearly and consistently.

Safety Training
A must for cheer programs.

Many roles require First Aid/CPR/AED, concussion awareness training, and sport-specific safety education—especially for stunting and tumbling environments.

Leadership & Communication
You’re setting the tone.

Cheer coaches manage team standards, accountability, and athlete confidence. Clear communication with athletes and parents is a major differentiator.

Background Check
Common for youth and school roles.

Schools and youth programs often require a cleared background check prior to coaching.

If you’re new to coaching, start with safety training and an assistant role. Strong fundamentals + great communication go a long way.

Do You Need a Degree to Coach Cheerleading?

Many cheer coaching roles do not require a specific degree. Programs typically prioritize safety readiness, teaching ability, and reliability—especially for assistant and youth roles.

High School Programs

Some roles are tied to school employment, while others are stipend-based. Many programs focus on safety credentials and coaching fit.

Assistant Coaches

Most assistant roles don’t require a degree. Showing you can coach safely and teach clearly is often the biggest requirement.

Clubs & Gyms

Clubs and gyms typically care most about experience, safety education, and results. Specialty instruction roles can be a strong entry point.

If you can teach safely, communicate clearly, and lead with consistency—there’s a path into cheer coaching.

How to Become a Cheerleading Coach (Step-by-Step)

Use this roadmap to build credibility, gain experience, and land your first (or next) cheerleading coaching job.

  1. Step 1: Learn Safe Progressions

    Study safe technique for stunts, spotting, tumbling fundamentals, jumps, and conditioning—then learn how to teach those skills clearly.

  2. Step 2: Complete Safety Training

    Get CPR/First Aid/AED and concussion training. Many programs also require cheer-specific safety education for stunting and tumbling.

  3. Step 3: Start as an Assistant

    Assistant roles help you learn practice structure, routine cleaning, and athlete management—while building trust with a program.

  4. Step 4: Build a Coaching Resume

    Highlight safety training, coaching experience, leadership roles, and any specialty strengths (stunts, tumbling, choreography, conditioning).

  5. Step 5: Create a CoachBridge Profile

    Put your cheer experience and certifications in one place so programs can find you quickly.

  6. Step 6: Apply to Verified Cheer Jobs

    Apply to head, assistant, and specialty roles without wasting time on dead links or unrelated posts.

  7. Step 7: Keep Growing

    Attend clinics, refine practice planning, and keep learning new progressions. Great cheer coaches are consistent and always improving.

Your coaching journey can start today—with safety and consistency first.

Build momentum one season at a time and let CoachBridge connect you with the right opportunities.

Cheerleading Coaching Salaries & Stipends

Pay varies widely based on school level, program expectations, competition schedule, and time commitment. Many roles are seasonal stipends, while club instruction can be hourly or contract-based.

Typical Compensation Types

Many cheer roles fall into categories like:

  • High School Head Coach: seasonal stipend
  • Assistant Coach: seasonal stipend
  • Youth / Rec Coach: part-time stipend or hourly
  • Club / Gym Instructor: hourly or contract-based
  • Camp / Clinic Coach: daily or weekly pay

What Drives Pay?

Common factors include:

  • Competition schedule: travel, weekends, and additional practices.
  • Time commitment: frequency of practices and events.
  • Role scope: choreography, conditioning, and routine management.
  • Safety responsibility: spotting and stunt/tumbling supervision.
  • Program level: youth, high school, club/gym.

Many coaches also earn income through camps, clinics, private lessons, and skills sessions.

Where Cheerleading Coaches Work

Cheer coaches are hired across schools, districts, gyms, and competitive organizations—often with different expectations depending on the environment.

Schools & District Programs

  • Middle school and high school cheer programs
  • Public and private schools
  • School-sponsored competitive cheer teams

Clubs, Gyms & Competitive Organizations

  • All-star cheer programs
  • Cheer gyms and training facilities
  • Competitive cheer clubs and teams

Camps & Clinics

  • Summer cheer camps
  • Stunt and tumbling clinics
  • Tryout prep and team intensives

Youth & Community Programs

  • Recreation leagues
  • Community youth programs
  • After-school cheer programs

Wherever you coach, cheerleading is a powerful way to build confidence, discipline, and community.

For First-Time Cheer Coaches

Your First Cheerleading Coaching Job Starts Here

Many cheer roles are filled through local connections. CoachBridge helps you get discovered even if you’re new—so long as you’re safety-ready and committed to development.

Without experience, many aspiring cheer coaches never get a call back—even when teams need help. CoachBridge changes that.
Find entry-level assistant roles
Show your safety readiness
Build a professional coach profile
Grow into head coach roles

Everyone starts somewhere—you shouldn’t need connections to begin.

Your first cheerleading coaching job may be closer than you think.

Cheerleading Coaching FAQs

Still have questions about cheerleading coaching requirements or how CoachBridge works? Start here.

What does a cheerleading coach do?
Cheer coaches teach fundamentals, set practice structure, manage routines, oversee safety (especially for stunts and tumbling), and build a positive team culture.
Do I need certifications to coach cheer?
Many programs require CPR/First Aid/AED and concussion training. Some roles also require cheer-specific safety education for stunts and tumbling.
Can I coach cheerleading without a degree?
Yes. Many assistant, youth, and club roles do not require a specific degree. Programs typically prioritize safety readiness and coaching ability.
What types of cheer coaching jobs are available?
Common roles include head coach, assistant coach, competitive cheer coach, sideline cheer coach, and specialty roles like stunt or tumbling instructor.
How do I stand out as a cheer coaching candidate?
Keep safety credentials current, teach clear progressions, and create a CoachBridge profile that highlights your strengths—stunts, tumbling, choreography, or program leadership.
Are cheer coaching jobs seasonal?
Many school roles are seasonal stipends. Club and gym instruction can be year-round depending on the program’s competition calendar and class schedule.

Start Coaching Cheerleading With Confidence

Cheer coaches build confidence, discipline, and leadership—on and off the mat.

CoachBridge connects you with real cheerleading coaching opportunities that match your experience and goals—across schools, clubs, and youth programs.