There are currently an estimated 276,100 sports scouts in the United States. The sports scout job market is expected to grow by 12.9% between 2016 and 2026.

How employable are sports scouts?

CareerExplorer rates sports scouts with a C employability rating, meaning this career should provide moderate employment opportunities for the foreseeable future. Over the next 10 years, it is expected the US will need 43,100 sports scouts. That number is based on 35,600 additional sports scouts, and the retirement of 7,500 existing sports scouts.

Are sports scouts in demand?

Competition for the most desirable and rarely available scouting positions, at the college and professional levels, is projected to be very strong. Jobs with professional teams will continue to be the most competitive, because they pay the highest salaries and the number of available positions is limited. Rising participation in college and high school sports, particularly at smaller colleges and in women’s sports, could increase demand for scouts. Because successful teams help colleges enhance their reputation, attract future students, and raise donations from alumni, scouts will be called upon to recruit the best possible high school athletes. In some cases, they will be hired directly by high school athletes who wish to increase their chances of winning college scholarships and avoiding rising tuition fees. When the budgets of educational institutions are reduced, it is often funding for athletic programs that is cut first, potentially negatively impacting job prospects for this occupation. However, due to a projected population increase and overall popularity of team sports, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts significant job growth for sports scouts.

What’s the supply of sports scouts?

The sports scout industry is concentrated in California, Texas, Washington

Sports Scout job market by state

State Name Employed Sports Scouts
California 29,760
Texas 12,100
Washington 11,730
Ohio 10,720
Michigan 10,680
New York 10,420
Illinois 10,260
Florida 8,260
Massachusetts 7,650
Colorado 7,520
Indiana 7,170
Virginia 7,110
New Jersey 6,900
Pennsylvania 6,810
North Carolina 6,310
Georgia 5,490
Wisconsin 5,290
Iowa 4,750
Arizona 4,580
Tennessee 4,190
Connecticut 3,880
Oregon 3,790
Maryland 3,770
Minnesota 3,700
Kansas 3,440
Missouri 3,110
South Carolina 2,840
Alabama 2,570
Kentucky 2,320
Idaho 2,130
Oklahoma 2,110
Utah 2,090
Maine 1,900
Louisiana 1,730
Arkansas 1,620
Nevada 1,600
New Hampshire 1,460
Montana 1,380
Vermont 1,380
Nebraska 1,260
Mississippi 1,180
Hawaii 1,140
Rhode Island 1,140
North Dakota 1,030
West Virginia 830
South Dakota 770
Delaware 610
District of Columbia 580
Puerto Rico 530
Wyoming 520
Alaska 380
Virgin Islands, U.S. 70