What should you actually pay your coaches, and how do you know if that number makes sense for your gym? In this episode of the Cheer Biz Podcast, Dan Cotton breaks down coach pay in the cheer industry and explains how gym owners should think about compensation, payroll, profitability, retention, and employee value. He talks through why there is no one-size-fits-all answer, how minimum wage and cost of living affect pay rates, and why gym owners have to look beyond emotion when deciding what a coach is truly worth to the business. Dan also explains how to measure employee value through time saved and dollars made, why great coaching does not automatically equal great employment, and how staffing costs impact the health of your gym. He covers W2 vs 1099 classification, compensation for competition days, private lessons, benefits like health insurance and retirement, annual reviews, and what it really looks like to take care of good coaches without putting your business upside down. If you are a cheer gym owner, all star cheer coach, or business leader trying to build a stronger staff and a more profitable gym, this episode offers practical insight on coach pay, employee retention, payroll strategy, and sustainable staffing in the cheerleading industry.