Can You Really Make a Living as a Health Coach in South Africa? Yes – Here’s How

Can you really make a living as a Health Coach in South Africa? It’s a question we hear often, and it’s a fair one. Imagine doing meaningful work every day, helping others improve their health while building a flexible career you control. 

Yet the uncertainty about income, sustainability, and where to start often holds people back. This blog will give you a clear, realistic picture of what’s possible, and how to achieve it. At Health Coaches Academy, we specialise in helping aspiring Health Coaches turn their vision into a professional, rewarding career. 

What “Making a Living” As a Health Coach Can Look Like 

Many aspiring Health Coaches wonder: Can you make a living as a Health Coach in South Africa? And the answer is yes, you absolutely can, and for many, it can be a rewarding and sustainable career. If you’ve Googled, “How much do Health Coaches earn?” SA Health Coaches billing ten hours weekly at typical rates (R250–R936/hour) may earn R10 800–R37 400/month. Four‑session packages often start at R3 000–R8 000. 

Full‑time Health Coaches in South Africa earn about R21 600/month on average, rising to roughly R27 800 in Gauteng metropolitan areas. This largely depends on niche and demand. Experience and coaching level are also factors.  

Some scale further through passive income or group programmes. Coaching is flexible by design, meaning you can tailor your workload, pricing, and services around your lifestyle and goals. Many Health Coaches blend one-to-one sessions with group coaching and digital products, building income streams that grow over time. 

The Main Income Streams for Health Coaches 

To make a living as a private practice Health Coach, you’ll often combine multiple income streams to diversify and grow your income.  

One-to-One Coaching 

Still the foundation of most businesses. A Health Coach can deliver personalised support, usually via tailored packages, either in person or online. These sessions build trust, boost referrals, and provide steady, reliable income that scales with experience and reputation. 

Group Coaching Programmes 

These offer a chance to support more people in less time. Group programmes often focus on topics like stress, menopause, or weight loss. They also help boost reach, authority, and income while providing opportunities to scale as a Health Coach. Importantly, group programmes can make coaching more accessible and affordable for clients, while also opening the door to potential 1:1 sessions later. 

I started group coaching as soon as I qualified alongside another HCA graduate. This helped me to build my client base and confidence. Today I’m working with a number of one-to-one clients through both full programmes and maintenance plans. Recently, I’ve travelled across the country delivering various talks, which has led to opportunities to pitch corporate group programmes. I also regularly give talks at companies, schools, and local community groups near my home. In August, I headed up a Wellness Festival in my local area, where presented on nutrition and lifestyle, I’m also running different wellness workshops!” - HCA Health Coach Graduate, Lisa, Harwick, Midlands, SA 

Corporate Wellness Coaching 

With growing interest in employee wellbeing, companies are seeking qualified Health Coaches to run workshops or staff programmes. These corporate partnerships can create recurring revenue, elevate your profile, and complement your work as a private practice Health Coach in a meaningful way. 

“I work with a local high school to support their staff and it’s proving to be so valuable! I run 2 group workshops around a different health and wellness topic each term, for example stress management or finding balance. I started doing this for confidence and to learn what’s possible in a corporate space and it’s really encouraging to see the different things that people are taking from it.” - Jacobie, HCA Health Coach Graduate  

Partnerships with Health Professionals 

Linking up with GPs, personal trainers, or nutrition clinics builds credibility and trust. These collaborations increase referrals and visibility, allowing you to position yourself as a trusted Health Coach within your community or a specialist niche. Partnerships also have the benefit of building a reliable network that supports a sustainable income stream. 

Online Courses or Digital Products 

This is the most scalable route to passive income for Health Coaches. Develop mini-courses, e-books, or webinars that clients can access anytime. These products keep working for you, even when you’re not actively coaching, maximising reach and earnings. 

Health Coaching Alongside Your Current Job 

Many Health Coaches also start part-time alongside an existing job. This allows you to build confidence, test different income streams, and establish a client base without the pressure of replacing your full income immediately. It’s a flexible way to transition into coaching, giving you time to refine your approach while maintaining financial stability.

What Affects How Much You Can Earn As a Health and Wellness Coach 

Earning potential as a Health Coach isn’t one-size-fits-all, as there are several factors that affect your Health Coach salary. South Africa-based Health Coaches can expect income to vary based on a few key elements. 

Your Client Load and Time Commitment 

There’s no single formula that determines income, as there’s a range of factors that affects your Health Coach salary. South Africa-based Health Coaches can expect their earnings to reflect their time investment, skills, and strategic choices. Key influences include: 

• Client Volume and Schedule: The more clients you take on, the more you earn. You choose whether you work part-time, full-time, or somewhere in between. 

• Niche and Pricing Model: Specialising in a clear area like menopause, gut health, or stress support helps you stand out and charge accordingly, as people pay more for targeted expertise. 

• Market and Environment Assessment: Researching your market and local environment will give you a clear sense of the range of wellness pricing in your area or province. This acts as a strong guide when developing a competitive and sustainable pricing structure. 

• Marketing and Business Skills: Knowing how to promote your services, attract clients, and maintain strong relationships is essential. A confident pitch and good referral system go a long way. 

• Confidence and Professionalism: Confidence comes from quality training. When you’re fully prepared, you can coach effectively, set clear boundaries, and charge what your service is worth. 

How Health Coaches Academy Helps You Build a Career 

Our Level 5 Health Coaching Diploma does more than teach nutrition and coaching – it sets you up to succeed, as we help you launch your own health coaching practice with confidence. 

As part of the fourth pillar of the course, you'll work with a number of case study volunteers, giving you hands-on experience and real-world practice. Many students find that these volunteers go on to become their first paying clients – a powerful way to start building your client base while still studying. 

“The case studies that you work with during your training are so important! They can be your biggest referrals, it’s really important to keep those relationships going. I graduated 5 years ago now and some of my clients today still come from case study referrals.” - HCA Graduate Health Coach, Vicky  

You’ll also receive business training modules, templates, marketing resources, and clear guidance on pricing and packaging. You can even earn extra qualifications in group coaching programmes. With an active alumni network, and the opportunity to join our Health Coaches Hub where you can receive ongoing mentorship alongside other Helth Coach graduates, you’ll never feel like you’re going it alone. Many of our graduates now run successful businesses, and you can too. 

CEO of HCA, Carolyn St John Loder

Real-Life Opportunities for Health Coaches in South Africa 

South Africa has a growing need for personalised wellness support. Stress, lifestyle disease, and poor nutrition are common challenges, and clients are actively seeking help. Many are now comfortable working with a coach online, expanding your reach far beyond your city. 

That means real online Health Coaching income is possible, even from home. You can also coach around a day job or family commitments, or work with international clients across time zones. The flexibility is unmatched, and the demand is rising. 

Ready to Make It Happen? Here’s Your Next Step

If you’re ready to make a living as a Health Coach in South Africa, we’re here to help you get there. Our Health Coaches Hub supports you beyond graduation, and our HCA Talks Health podcast brings you industry insights and inspiration. 

Want to know if this is for you? Join one of our free introductory webinars or explore our Level 5 Health Coaching Diploma for more details. With highly accredited training and the UK’s most experienced Health Coaching team, we’ll help you turn your passion into a profession.