How Much Do Yoga Instructors Make?

So you’d like to pursue your dream of being a yoga teacher—sharing the beauty and power of this practice with others. It’s a wonderful path! But of course, passion also needs to meet practicality. You’ve invested in your training, you’re dedicating time and energy to your practice, and naturally, you’re wondering: How much do yoga instructors really make?

The truth is, yoga teacher salaries can vary widely depending on a few key factors: where you teach, how much experience you bring, your specializations, and whether you’re teaching full-time, part-time, or as a side hustle.

Let’s break it down so you know exactly what to expect—and how to grow your income as a yoga teacher.

How Much Money Do Yoga Teachers Make?

According to national averages, yoga instructors typically earn around $34 per hour, with annual salaries ranging between $31,000 and $62,000.

Your actual earnings will depend on factors like where you teach, how established you are, and what kind of opportunities you pursue. For example, yoga taught at a well-known private studio or wellness center often pays more than commercialized gym classes, and private or specialty sessions can command even higher rates.

And remember—your connection matters. The more students who fill your classes (and keep coming back), the greater your earning potential.

According to the job searching site Zip Recruiter, the average annual salary for a yoga teacher ranges from $31,000 to $62,000. Those numbers are influenced by where you teach, your level of teaching experience, any special skills and qualifications you may have, and even the place you teach. For example, a well-respected studio will likely pay more than if you’re teaching yoga at a gym.

Teaching full-time versus part-time impacts your potential income. Plus, if your yoga classes prove to be popular, you’ll likely make more money, as you bring more students to the mat.

Yoga teacher’s average salary (per hour)

The average hourly wage for teaching yoga is about $31 per hour. That may go as high as $46 an hour if you teach in or around a large city like New York or Los Angeles. If you teach less than 20 hours per week, the rate may be lower.

Yoga teacher’s average salary (per year)

The annual yoga teacher salary can average between $31,000 and $62,000. Those numbers are impacted by whether you teach full or part-time, location, teaching experience, and more.

Key Factors Influencing Earnings

Not every yoga instructor will be paid the same. There are some variables that go into how much you can expect to earn. It begins with the level of training you have; experienced teachers will earn more. If you’ve completed 500 hours of yoga teacher training, you can make more money than someone who has completed the basic 200-hour teacher training for yoga course.

Someone who teaches in an urban area or large city may earn more than a teacher in a small town. The cost of living impacts these numbers.

If you can offer any kind of specialization, such as yoga classes for those dealing with trauma or limited mobility, you have a niche you can leverage. Also, how much you want to work will impact what you can make as a yoga teacher.

Location & Cost of Living:

Large cities will have more places to take yoga classes. That means there are more opportunities, as well as competition between studios to hire the best teachers. Because of this, you’ll have a better chance at earning a better salary than if you teach in a small town. Salaries must also take the cost of living in a particular area.

Experience & Specialization:

Just because you have a personal yoga practice of your own doesn’t mean that you’re qualified to be a yoga instructor; yoga teacher training is essential. The Mindful Purpose Institute offers high-quality online yoga teacher training that will help you become a certified yoga teacher in a convenient, self-paced course. Our online yoga classes help you be more effective in important aspects like anatomy and alignment, sequencing, adjustments, and more.

Plus, we offer additional education modules to certify you in various specializations.. Being able to offer your students “something more,” like breathwork or the yoga sutras, provides a chance to earn more from your teaching.

Part-time, full-time, or side hustle?

How much you can make teaching yoga is dependent on your time commitment. Do you want to teach part-time or full-time? Maybe this is just an occasional side hustle. No matter which you choose, you’ll still need to be certified to teach safely and effectively. The Kaivalya Yoga Method online yoga teacher training courses from Mindful Purpose Institute can help you achieve that on your own schedule.

How to Maximize Your Earnings

Being certified from a registered yoga school like the Mindful Purpose Institute carries a prestige factor that will impact your earnings. Here are other ways to maximize your earnings as a yoga instructor.

Become certified in specialties like Chair Yoga. meditation, or working with mantras. This can add extra value to your class or allow you to create a separate class or workshop entirely.
Offer private yoga sessions, either one-on-one or in small groups. These allow you to charge more.
Teach live online yoga classes through your own online yoga studio.

Conclusion

Becoming a professional yoga teacher is deeply rewarding in so many ways. It’s a beautiful way to earn a living, whether you’re a full-time yoga teacher or help others on a part-time basis. How much you can earn is dependent on your time commitment, where you teach, and what you can offer your students.

The Mindful Purpose Institute offers exceptional online yoga teacher training through The Kaivalya Yoga Method Academy that will result in certification from a registered yoga school that’s recognized by the prestigious Yoga Alliance. Start with 200 hours of YTT for a basic certification, then add 300 hour yoga teacher training for the highest qualification. Make yourself even more marketable by gaining certification in related specialties like Chair Yoga or spiritual disciplines like the sutras, breathwork, and meditation. All of this will make you more well-rounded as a yoga teacher (as well as a spiritual leader for your students). The end result? The highest possible yoga teacher salary!

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average yoga instructor salary per year?

Nationally, the average yoga instructor salary can range from $31,000 to $62,000 per year. This depends on experience, location, and whether you teach part-time or full-time.

Do yoga teachers make good money?

They can. Besides being a certified teacher in a studio setting, there are other revenue streams, such as teaching private classes or online classes. Becoming certified in other specialities, like meditation, working with the chakras, chanting, or other disciplines, allows you to offer classes or workshops.

How much do yoga instructors earn in different states?

It varies. Cost of living, demand for classes, and the teacher’s level of experience will all influence the pay for teaching yoga classes.

How much do beginner yoga teachers make?

According to the job search site Zip Recruiter, a yoga teacher who’s just starting out can earn anywhere from $20 to $71 per class. Factors like location, qualifications, and demand play a role. Being able to build up a clientele is also important.

How much do yoga instructors make a year if they teach part-time?

“Part-time” is generally considered 20 hours or less. The national average is $34 per hour, but that depends on the location, teacher experience, and overall demand.