Earnings of Female Coaches in European Soccer

Drawing from a human capital approach, this study analyzes how schooling institutions, on-the-job training, and parallel educational activities correlate with financial earnings of female coaches in European soccer. Comprehensive data were collected using an online questionnaire distributed across Europe ( n = 969). Linear probability, log-linear, and quantile regression models show statistically significant and positive effects for UEFA coaching licenses and weekly coaching hours. The results of Heckman selection estimations outline that female coaches who aim to work in women's soccer have higher earnings, while those who intend to coach grassroots soccer earn less. Additionally, quantile regressions demonstrate how aiming to coach women's soccer is significantly positive for earnings in the 10%- and 75%-quantiles. Conversely, aiming to coach grassroots soccer is negatively associated with earnings in the median- and 90%-quantiles. Beyond career goals, the findings highlight that parallel educational activities and on-the-job training are particularly relevant for female coaches’ earnings in Europe.