How Much Do Yoga Teachers Make? Income Explained

If you have ever Googled “How much do yoga teachers make per class on average?”, you are not alone. This is one of the most searched questions in the yoga industry, and for good reason. Yoga looks calm and effortless from the outside, but behind every yoga class is a professional teacher managing schedules, certifications, finances, and long-term career decisions.

This guide breaks down exactly how much a yoga instructor makes, how pay actually works, and how to build money as a yoga professional sustainably. This is not fluff — this is the real picture of yoga instructor salaries, written to help you make informed choices about your yoga career.

The Short Answer: How Much Do Yoga Teachers Make?

The answer depends on how and where you teach yoga.

Most yoga teachers are paid per class, not with a fixed salary. A typical rate ranges from $25 to $75 per class, depending on location, experience, and studio model. Some studios pay per hour, while others pay per class regardless of attendance.

When people ask how much yoga instructors make or how much a yoga instructor earns, what they’re really asking is how predictable that income is.

For many, it is not predictable at all without multiple income streams.

Yoga Teacher Salary vs Class-Based Pay

A traditional annual salary is rare in yoga. A true yoga teacher’s salary usually only exists in resorts, hotels, or corporate wellness roles.

Here is what the yoga school teaches about professionalism in the industry. Pay scale typically looks like:

• Studio-based yoga instructor pay: $25 to $75 per class
• Boutique or premium yoga studio: $60 to $120 per class
• Private clients and private yoga sessions: $80 to $150 per session
• Retreat or hotel contracts like a yoga retreat: short-term fixed pay

The average salary for a yoga professional in the US often lands between $30,000 and $60,000 per year. That figure assumes consistent teaching and no long breaks.

The average yoga instructor salary varies widely by country, cost of living, and whether the teacher is full-time or part-time.

What Yoga Instructors Actually Get Paid Per Class

Let’s get practical.

If a yoga instructor teaches 12 classes per week at $50 per class, that’s $600 per week before tax. Over a year, that comes to roughly $31,000 — assuming there are no cancellations or breaks.

But most yoga instructors teach more than one style, work across multiple studios, and add workshops or private clients to increase their income.

This is why asking how much yoga teachers make without context rarely gives a clear answer.

Yoga Instructor Salaries by Teaching Style

Different types of yoga pay differently.

• Prenatal yoga often pays more due to specialization.
• Restorative yoga classes tend to pay standard studio rates.
• Yoga therapy can pay more at some studios, but it usually requires additional certification.
• Private yoga work pays significantly more than group classes.

The more specialized your yoga teaching skills, the higher your potential rate.

Online Yoga and Digital Income

Online yoga teaching has significantly changed the landscape of fitness and wellness jobs. Many yoga teachers now add digital income through:

• Online yoga classes
• Membership platforms
• Corporate Zoom sessions
• An online yoga studio model

Teaching yoga online can create recurring income, but it takes time to build an audience. For most instructors, online teaching works best when paired with in-person classes.

Once a platform is established, some yoga instructors earn more online than they do in physical studios.

Full-Time Yoga vs Part-Time Teaching

A full-time yoga career usually includes a mix of income streams, such as:

• Studio classes
• Private yoga sessions
• Retreats or workshops
• Online offerings

Most experienced teachers lead between 15 and 25 classes per week, which can be physically demanding. Because of this, many yoga instructors choose to teach part-time while building additional income streams outside of regular studio classes.

Understanding how many yoga classes per week your body can realistically handle is essential for long-term health, sustainability, and career longevity.

Yoga Teacher Training and Its Impact on Income

Completing a yoga teacher training program is only the beginning. A basic 200-hour yoga teacher training course does not guarantee high pay.

Studios care about:

• Teaching confidence
• Communication
• Class retention
• Professionalism is essential in yoga training to ensure instructors provide the best experience for their students.

Being a certified yoga instructor registered with Yoga Alliance helps with credibility, but it does not set your salary on its own.

Advanced training like yoga therapy or prenatal yoga can significantly increase what you get paid.

Average Salary and Global Reality

The average salary figures often shared online can be misleading.

• US and UK pay higher per class
• Southeast Asia and Europe often pay less but include lifestyle benefits
• Resorts may include accommodation in lieu of higher cash pay for yoga instructor jobs.

The average yoga instructor’s salary must always be viewed alongside living costs.

Ways to Make Money as a Yoga Professional

If you are serious about making money as a yoga professional, you need more than classes.

Here are proven ways to make money:

• Teaching in studios and yoga spaces
• Corporate wellness contracts
• Online yoga teacher training support roles
• Workshops and events
• Private yoga clients

There are many ways to make teaching sustainable, but none are passive.

Is Yoga a Real Career?

Yes, but it requires strategy.

A long-term career as a yoga instructor looks more like running a small business than clocking in for a single job.

Those who make a career out of yoga treat it as yoga education, not just movement.

They understand numbers, boundaries, and contracts. They know exactly how much they need to earn and how many classes that requires.

Final Thoughts: Know Your Worth

If you want to make teaching yoga a viable career, it’s important to go in informed — whether you’re becoming a yoga teacher for the first time or deepening your path through comprehensive yoga training.

Ask yourself:

• How much do I realistically expect to earn?
• How many classes per week can my body sustainably teach?
• What is my plan beyond studio classes?

The truth is this: many yoga teachers do earn well — but only when they stop guessing and start planning.

If you want to understand exactly how much you can earn per class as a yoga instructor, track your numbers, diversify your income streams, and treat your yoga work with the respect it deserves.

That’s how you build real income as a yoga instructor — not just a passion project.

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