Yoga therapist salaries in Australia vary depending on experience, location and training. Find out the average Yoga therapist salary in Australia, as well as, hourly rates and salary differences by location. Yoga therapists have the potential to earn a good income and have a fulfilling career.
Understanding Yoga Therapist Salaries in Australia
Yoga therapy is a rapidly growing field. The demand for qualified Yoga therapists continues to rise as more people seek out complementary healthcare, Yoga therapy clients share the benefits they experience with others and more Yoga therapists join the profession. But what can a Yoga therapist expect to earn in Australia? This article explores some thoughts about salary expectations, from monthly to hourly rates, for Yoga therapists working across Australia.
Factors that Affect a Yoga Therapist’s Salary
There is no one-size-fits-all salary for Yoga therapists. Yoga therapists are highly skilled, enterprising health professionals who more often than not, offer a variety of services.
In my experience, most Yoga therapists work as contractors. Many operate as sole traders. Most don’t earn a salary from one organisation unless they are working as a Yoga therapist in addition to another profession.
Yoga therapists may combine 1 to 1 Yoga therapy consultations, with teaching group Yoga classes and offering therapeutic Yoga groups.
Some Yoga therapists also provide other services. These services may include, Pilates, group fitness classes, complementary therapies, such as, Ayurveda, massage, naturopathy and so on.
Some Yoga therapists combine their work with their other training as psychologists, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, medical professionals, social workers, exercise physiologists and other health professionals.
There are various factors that contribute to the potential earnings for a Yoga therapist:
- Experience and Qualifications: More experienced Yoga therapists tend to earn higher wages.
- Location: Urban areas, especially major cities, may offer higher rates compared to regional and rural areas.
- Work Environment: Salaries can vary depending on whether the Yoga therapist works in private practice, wellness centers, or healthcare facilities.
- Clientele: Yoga therapists who cater to niche markets, such as corporate clients, or combine their services with other modalities may command higher rates.
- Other services: Yoga therapists may choose to supplement their income with teaching Yoga classes.
- Additional modalities: Some Yoga therapists may have additional modalities/professions that they offer in conjunction with their Yoga therapy services and this will have an impact on their hourly rate.
Let’s explore how these factors affect average salaries and look at some suggested figures for Yoga therapist salaries in Australia.
Average Yoga Therapist Salary in Australia
In this article, I refer to Yoga therapist salaries, as the sum of their earnings over a year from all the services they provide. As most work as contractors, they would deduct their ongoings/expenses from their revenue. Weekly earnings may vary depending on the number of clients the Yoga therapist saw that week.
Yoga Therapist Salary per Month in Australia
The monthly income for a Yoga therapist in Australia can vary widely based on employment type, experience, and hours worked. On average, a Yoga therapist in Australia may earn between AUD $4,000 to $7,000 per month. Those who work in urban centres, offer specialised services or offer other modalities can potentially earn on the higher end of this range.
Alice Willenbrock is an experienced Yoga therapist, Exercise Scientist, Nutritionist, Personal Trainer and Movement therapist. She is a YTI graduate and works in the southern suburbs of Sydney. She sees up to 50 clients a week. Many of her clients see Alice multiple times a week for a variety of services. She has regular clients who have been with her since she started her business in 2014.
Victoria Sutton had 17 new Yoga therapy clients in her first year of working as a Yoga therapist after completing our Yoga therapy training.
Full-Time vs. Part-Time Monthly Salary
Part-Time or Self-employed Yoga Therapists: At this point, it is more likely that a Yoga therapist in Australia will be self-employed or work as a contractor rather than in a permanent full-time role. Self-employed or part-time Yoga therapists may experience fluctuations based on the number of clients they see. Monthly income can range from AUD $3,000 to $5,000, depending on client load and how much they charge per consultation.
Full-Time Yoga Therapists: Those employed in roles at wellness centres, hospitals, or clinics may have more stable monthly incomes, averaging between AUD $5,000 and $7,000. Often Yoga therapists working in these roles will combine a range of skills or modalities when they work in these settings.
Yoga Therapist Salary per Hour in Australia
For those who are self-employed or charge on a per-session basis, the hourly rate is a critical metric. On average, Yoga therapists in Australia charge between AUD $60 and $150 per hour for an individual Yoga therapy consultation. Here’s a breakdown based on various levels of experience and specialisations:
- Entry-Level Yoga Therapists: Approximately AUD $60 – $80 per hour.
- Experienced Yoga Therapists: Those with extensive experience may charge between AUD $90 and $150 per hour.
- Mixed Modality Yoga Therapists: For therapists with additional skills, such as, psychologists, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, medical professionals, massage therapists, and so on, hourly rates may be AUD $150 or more.
During our Yoga therapy training, students often ask how much they should charge per hour for their Yoga therapy consultations. Leading Yoga therapy educator, Sal Flynn, might suggest they consider what a complementary therapist in their area charges, such as, naturopaths or massage therapists. They can then use this a as guide.
Comparing Yoga Therapist Salaries Across Australia
Salary Differences by Location
- Sydney and Melbourne: In Australia’s largest cities, Yoga therapists may earn the highest rates. That will depend on the demographics of the population in their area and other factors. Monthly incomes can average AUD $5,500 to $7,500.
- Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide, Canberra, Darwin, and Hobart: Salaries will vary by location. A Yoga therapist may earn between AUD $4,500 and $6,500 per month.
- Regional and Rural Areas: In regional or rural areas, the salary may show the greatest variation, leading to monthly earnings between AUD $3,000 and $7,500.
Tips to Maximise Your Income as a Yoga Therapist
- Offer additional services: Offer specialised workshops, retreats or therapeutic groups, such as, Yoga for Healthy Backs, Yoga for Sleep, the options are endless. Many Yoga Therapy Institute graduates offer these sorts of services to supplement their income as Yoga therapists. For example, a Yoga therapist could run a one 1 day Yoga retreat quarterly for 10 students, charge $250 a person and add $10 000 to their annual revenue.
- Pursue Additional Qualifications: Some Yoga therapists may choose to specialise in say, cancer care or mental health. Others become Ayurvedic Lifestyle Consultants and offer these services alongside their Yoga therapy consultations.
- Build a Strong Client Base: Establishing long-term clients and setting up packages or subscription-based services can create a more reliable income stream.
Conclusion: Making the Most of Your Career as a Yoga Therapist
There are a huge range of factors that will affect the salary of a Yoga therapist in Australia. These factors include your experience, location, and if you have additional modalities. Yoga therapy is a highly rewarding career and there is significant earning potential in this field. At the moment, most Yoga therapists are contractors or self-employed in Australia. They may be paid on a part-time or casual basis. Those who work in full time positions may combine their Yoga therapy work with other modalities.
Are you Interested in becoming a Yoga therapist? To find out more about Yoga therapy training click here Accredited Yoga Therapy Training at the Yoga Therapy Institute
Author:
Trina Bawden-Smith is the founder and director of the Yoga Therapy Institute, which has trained over 420 Yoga therapists. She has been overseeing the development of the Yoga Therapy Institute’s Accredited Yoga Therapy Certification since 2012, has conducted 8 Yoga therapy conferences and directed numerous professional development programs for Yoga therapists and Yoga teachers since 2003.
Disclaimer: This blog post exists for informational purposes and may not apply to your circumstances. The views and opinions expressed in this blog are ours alone and are based on more than a decade of training and mentoring hundreds of Yoga therapists.