10 of the Best States for Golf Course Jobs

If you’re interested in a career in golf, then knowing where to apply for jobs is half the battle. To help you with that, we’ve put together our list of the ten best states for golf. 

Top 10 States for Golf Professionals

Our list of the top states for golf jobs is based on a few factors. We’ve taken into consideration the following:

  • The total number of jobs available in the state
  • The average annual salary of gold professionals in the state
  • The average annual salary of the highest and lowest 10% of golf earners

Finally, as you look at the best states for golfers, keep in mind that every state offers a wide variety of job opportunities in the field of golf, including:

  • Club fitters
  • Caddies
  • Greenskeepers
  • Golf writers
  • Golf retailers
  • Golf teachers
  • Golf directors
  • Golf agents
  • Sales and marketing positions for golf courses
  • And more

1. Massachusetts

Types of jobs:

Average annual salary: $58,587

2. Pennsylvania

Types of jobs:

Average annual salary: $42,065

3. California

Types of jobs:

Average annual salary: $44,539

4. Texas

Types of jobs:

Average annual salary: $41,339

5. Minnesota

Types of jobs:

Average annual salary: $49,332

6. New Jersey 

Types of jobs:

Average annual salary: $58,794

7. North Carolina

Types of jobs:

Average annual salary: $34,083

8. Maine

Types of jobs:

Average annual salary: 40,908

9. Indiana

Types of jobs:

Average annual salary: $35,458

10. Michigan

Types of jobs:

Average annual salary: $32,558

Education, Certifications, and Experience

If you want to get a job in golf, then these are the three types of qualifications you should focus on building. We’ll look at what each of them entails in this section.

1. Education

You’ll have the most opportunities as a golf industry professional if you earn a bachelor’s degree. Many schools offer degrees in golf management specifically. These are great programs to pursue because they show that you’re serious about the career path.

But don’t worry if your school doesn’t. You can also look for programs in sports management and even hospitality.

2. Certification

It may also be beneficial for you to earn a certification, such as the PGA Certification Professional Program. Completing things like this is an excellent way to develop your skills and signal your expertise to potential employers.

3. Experience

Finally, experience is a big part of the equation for many golf employers. Companies in this industry want to know that you’ll be able to do the job competently without needing a ton of training first if they hire you.

If you don’t have any experience yet, you can start getting it by completing an internship as a part of your college experience. Or you can accept entry-level golf jobs to gain some insight into what it’s like to work on a course.

Finding the Right Career

Once you’ve built your qualifications, you’re ready to search for your golf career. This three-step process will help you find the best position for your goals.

1. Know Your Skillset

There are tons of different golf job opportunities out there. These range from marketing and sales to greenskeeping and coaching.

If you want to maximize your chances of getting a job, you need to focus on positions that align with your skills and experiences. 

For example, if you have a lot of experience as a player, coaching could make sense. But it might not be your best career path if you’re a marketing expert.

2. Form Connections

Part of getting a job in any industry is knowing the right people. If you can start developing a presence at some of the courses you’d like to work at, that could go a long way toward landing your dream job.

3. Look For Jobs On JobsInSports.com

Finally, you need to know where to look for golf jobs to give yourself the best chance of applying for the right one.

That’s where JobsInSports.com comes in. We maintain an up-to-date list of the latest golf job opportunities across the country.


Create an account with us today to start seeing new golf jobs as soon as they become available. It could just be the missing piece to starting your career in the golf industry.