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Job outlook for health and physical education teachers in the United States
Health and physical education teacher job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected health and physical education teacher job growth rate is 12% from 2018-2028.
About 159,400 new jobs for health and physical education teachers are projected over the next decade.
Health and physical education teacher salaries have increased 0% for health and physical education teachers in the last 5 years.
There are over 36,355 health and physical education teachers currently employed in the United States.
There are 156,643 active health and physical education teacher job openings in the US.
The average health and physical education teacher salary is $47,140.
Are health and physical education teacher jobs in demand?
Health and physical education teacher job and salary trends over time
Health and physical education teacher jobs over time
Health and physical education teacher job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 36,355 | 0.01% |
| 2020 | 37,417 | 0.01% |
| 2019 | 39,254 | 0.01% |
| 2018 | 39,211 | 0.01% |
| 2017 | 38,321 | 0.01% |
Average health and physical education teacher salary over time
Health and physical education teacher salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $47,140 | $22.66 | +1.8% |
| 2025 | $46,298 | $22.26 | --0.1% |
| 2024 | $46,321 | $22.27 | --0.5% |
| 2023 | $46,559 | $22.38 | --1.5% |
| 2022 | $47,268 | $22.73 | +9.4% |
Health and physical education teacher jobs by state
Most common states for health and physical education teachers
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 352 | 51% |
| 2 | Vermont | 623,657 | 269 | 43% |
| 3 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 1,725 | 31% |
| 4 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 579 | 30% |
| 5 | Delaware | 961,939 | 293 | 30% |
| 6 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 1,780 | 29% |
| 7 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 169 | 29% |
| 8 | Indiana | 6,666,818 | 1,878 | 28% |
| 9 | Iowa | 3,145,711 | 857 | 27% |
| 10 | Kansas | 2,913,123 | 743 | 26% |
| 11 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 1,388 | 25% |
| 12 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 263 | 25% |
| 13 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 2,035 | 24% |
| 14 | Washington | 7,405,743 | 1,750 | 24% |
| 15 | Missouri | 6,113,532 | 1,462 | 24% |
| 16 | South Dakota | 869,666 | 206 | 24% |
| 17 | Georgia | 10,429,379 | 2,450 | 23% |
| 18 | North Carolina | 10,273,419 | 2,379 | 23% |
| 19 | Michigan | 9,962,311 | 2,244 | 23% |
| 20 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 313 | 23% |
Most common cities for health and physical education teachers
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Saint Paul | 1 | 0% | $52,003 |
Health And Physical Education Teacher job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of health and physical education teacher experts
University of Minnesota - Twin Cities
University of Hawaii at Manoa
University of Utah
What general advice would you give to a Health And Physical Education Teacher?
Jennifer Lesh Ph.D.: Exercise discernment in your job selection: As a special education teacher, the range of positions available to you will be diverse and plentiful. Remember, a job interview is a two-way street. While school administrators will inquire about your qualifications, it’s equally important for you to evaluate the support and resources the school offers. Inquire about the school's induction programs for new teachers, mentorship opportunities, and the student-teacher ratio. Request a tour of the classrooms. It’s crucial that you feel a sense of belonging and alignment with both the environment and the team. The right fit for your initial teaching role can greatly enhance your capacity for resilience in this rewarding career. Never Stop Learning: Treat every day as an opportunity to learn something new. The most successful special educators are those who continue to grow their knowledge base and skill set long after formal education ends. Build Genuine Connections: Networking is more about building real relationships than accumulating contacts. Seek out educators as mentors whose work or path you admire and do are they are generally positive about teaching. Join a special education professional organization such as Council for Exceptional Children and get involved in the association at the local level. Maintain Work-Life Balance: It's crucial to find a balance that allows you to be productive at school while also taking care of your personal well-being. Burnout is real in the special education profession, and preventing it starts with recognizing the importance of your own health and happiness. Cultivate Your Personal Brand: Think about how you want to be perceived professionally as a special educator and make efforts to build your personal brand around those qualities. Whether it's through social media, blogging, or professional engagements, make sure your personal brand reflects your professional goals and values. Starting your career is the beginning of a lifelong journey of discovery, growth, and fulfillment. By staying curious, resilient, and connected, you'll set the stage for a rewarding and successful career.
Dr. Pamela Brillante
ProfessorWhat Health And Physical Education Teacher skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Pamela Brillante: Understanding that disability is a natural part of the human experience, and that we all fall on some part of the continuum or spectrum of learning.
Being able to self-reflect on our own ableist views and change our mindset to believe that children are more alike than different.
Understanding a medical diagnosis doesn’t drive educational practices.
The need for initiative, persistence, creativity and problem solving in both ourselves and our students.
What will help Health And Physical Education Teachers increase their earning potential?
Dr. Kimberly Coy: A career as a special education teacher is interesting and rewarding. Also known in California as an Education Specialist, the job involves being both creative and persistent. My advice at the beginning of a career is to find the teachers you want to be most like and watch them, learn from them. They might be other special education teachers, or they might be other types of teachers. Find the positive innovators and stick with them.
What will help Health And Physical Education Teachers increase their earning potential?
Amy Kunkel Ph.D.: To maximize your salary potential, first ask to see the hiring district’s salary schedule. Most districts operate on a “step and lane” system in which you receive higher pay for each year of service (step) and receive substantial raises for additional degrees earned (lane). For example, some districts will raise your salary for every 15 graduate credits you have earned, maximizing at a terminal degree. Teachers with a master’s degree + additional credits will earn substantially more than those without a master’s degree.
What general advice would you give to a Health And Physical Education Teacher?
Dr. Marija Čolić: People love being SPED teachers because of the profound impact they can have on students' lives. Watching students make progress, achieve their goals, and seeing the joy this brings to their families is incredibly rewarding. The profession offers a sense of purpose and the opportunity to make a meaningful difference every day.
What Health And Physical Education Teacher skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Marija Čolić: Special Education is a vital and rewarding field. SPED teachers have the power to change lives, which is incredibly fulfilling. There is always a need for SPED teachers, making it a stable career choice. People are drawn to this profession because of the immense satisfaction that comes from seeing students improve and their happiness, as well as the joy it brings to their families. The profession offers constant opportunities for growth and learning, making it a dynamic and impactful career path.
What will help Health And Physical Education Teachers increase their earning potential?
Breda O’Keeffe Ph.D.: Before even starting your career in special education, look for programs and scholarships that provide financial support for your education and teaching license/credential. Because special education teachers are in high demand, many states, districts, and institutes of higher education provide financial incentives and supports for preservice teachers. Another option is to look for programs that provide loan forgiveness for working in high need areas (e.g., special education), schools (e.g., Title I schools), or districts. Graduating with low or no debt can help maximize your take-home pay as a teacher. Also, be aware that each state has its own teacher licensing/credentialing systems and that licenses/credentials do not always transfer directly when going from one state to another. If you know what state you will be teaching in, make sure your license/credential will be easily recognized in that state (or you may face additional educational requirements and costs). In addition, be aware that teacher salaries vary widely across states, across cities within states, and across different settings (e.g., private, public, preschool, K-12, etc.). In seeking preparation to become a special education teacher, you have many options that will ultimately affect your salary potential. Alternative routes to licensure which do not include the typical supports of a traditional teacher education program may be tempting, because they tend to be shorter and less expensive. Unfortunately, special education teachers prepared through these routes leave the field sooner and at higher rates than teachers provided with higher quality training at an institute of higher education (e.g., colleges and universities). Look for accredited programs that provide hands-on instruction and multiple supervised field experiences in the settings you will be teaching in, with high quality supervision and feedback (e.g., from a faculty member with teaching experience in your area), support for preparing for licensing/credentialing requirements, and instruction in evidence-based practices in academics, classroom management, intensive behavior supports, assessment, and special education law and policy. You will be more competitive when you start and more likely to persist, which will make the costs of your education worthwhile! When you are seeking a job, district salary schedules are posted on their respective websites. If salary is of utmost interest to you, start looking for high paying districts. Typically, charter and private schools do not have posted salary schedules, but if you are applying to those institutions, you should feel comfortable asking them to match the neighboring district pay. Some districts also offer additional compensation through incentive programs, “buying out” preparation periods, or other school-related duties. Don’t jump into committees and “extra duties” right away. Look for incentive programs specifically for high needs areas, such as special education. For example, in Utah, special education teachers can access the Teacher Salary Supplement Program (TSSP). This fund serves to reward and retain qualified educators in positions that have been identified as having staffing shortages. The state has also provided additional paid workdays outside of contract days to special education teachers to help prepare files and paperwork at the start or end of the school year. In addition, you can increase your pay by seeking further education such as a master’s degree or endorsements.