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Job outlook for high school physical education teachers in the United States
Are high school physical education teacher jobs in demand?
High school physical education teacher job and salary trends over time
High school physical education teacher jobs over time
High school physical education teacher job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 310 | 0.00% |
| 2020 | 301 | 0.00% |
| 2019 | 315 | 0.00% |
| 2018 | 320 | 0.00% |
| 2017 | 312 | 0.00% |
Average high school physical education teacher salary over time
High school physical education teacher salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $44,529 | $21.41 | +2.0% |
| 2024 | $43,672 | $21.00 | +2.2% |
| 2023 | $42,723 | $20.54 | +1.9% |
| 2022 | $41,909 | $20.15 | +2.0% |
| 2021 | $41,101 | $19.76 | +1.5% |
High school physical education teacher jobs by state
Most common states for high school physical education teachers
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 598 | 45% |
| 2 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 245 | 35% |
| 3 | Vermont | 623,657 | 169 | 27% |
| 4 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 1,730 | 25% |
| 5 | Delaware | 961,939 | 221 | 23% |
| 6 | Illinois | 12,802,023 | 2,794 | 22% |
| 7 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 1,336 | 22% |
| 8 | Connecticut | 3,588,184 | 803 | 22% |
| 9 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 1,150 | 21% |
| 10 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 221 | 21% |
| 11 | New Mexico | 2,088,070 | 426 | 20% |
| 12 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 205 | 20% |
| 13 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 111 | 19% |
| 14 | New Jersey | 9,005,644 | 1,595 | 18% |
| 15 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 1,013 | 18% |
| 16 | Kansas | 2,913,123 | 537 | 18% |
| 17 | Arizona | 7,016,270 | 1,189 | 17% |
| 18 | Iowa | 3,145,711 | 540 | 17% |
| 19 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 335 | 17% |
| 20 | Alaska | 739,795 | 124 | 17% |
High School Physical Education Teacher job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of high school physical education teacher experts
Oklahoma State University
University of Puerto Rico - Humacao
University of Michigan Dearborn
Saint Mary's College of California
Texas Woman's University
University of Wyoming
La Salle University
Colby-Sawyer College
The University of North Carolina Greensboro
University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point
University of New Mexico
University of Mary Washington
What general advice would you give to a High School Physical Education Teacher?
Dr. Sarah Donovan: A career in education begins during an accredited teacher preparation program as you cultivate a network of colleagues among peers, professors, and state and national professional organizations. Becoming a teacher is about building content knowledge and pedagogical content knowledge, so accredited programs offer opportunities to observe and practice teacher in classrooms with the support of qualified, experienced mentors and faculty members.
The first year on the job, it is essential to keep open lines of communication with the colleagues and faculty with whom you've developed professional relationships so that they can offer you support and critical conversations as you navigate the new teaching context. This is also when your connections to professional networks will be vital as you will have many sites, people, and resources to draw on to support your practice.
What High School Physical Education Teacher skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Maritere Cardona Matos Ed.D.: Being able to collaborate is essential in the academia as well as in the workplace. Educators need to cultivate students' abilities to work effectively in teams and communicate their ideas clearly both orally and in writing. Educators also need to develop students' awareness of what is happening around the world to help them develop empathy and values. We live in a world that is in constant movement, so students need to be able to adapt and manage time and stress.
Christopher Burke PhD
Professor Science EducationUniversity of Michigan Dearborn
Health/Medical Preparatory Programs
What High School Physical Education Teacher skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Christopher Burke PhD: The ability to connect with and engage diverse students.
The ability to contextualize learning across disciplines.
The ability to work collaboratively and to help your students learn to work collaboratively.
What High School Physical Education Teacher skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Christina O'Connor Ph.D.: Teachers need to have an understanding of trauma-informed practice and incorporate social-emotional learning into the classroom. They also need to understand and be adept with using artificial intelligence as an instructional tool as well as know how to identify when AI is being used to deceive or falsify information. Information literacy is extremely important.
What general advice would you give to a High School Physical Education Teacher?
Peter Alter Ph.D.: Public school salary systems are determined by years of teaching (sometimes called Steps) and level of education. Get a Master's degree. Add an authorization via coursework. Anything that will move you over a column on the salary schedule. Then figure out your side hustle- coaching, tutoring, doing something completely away from education. This may be challenging in your first year but as you get acclimated, you are going to have more time that you will be able to monetize.
What High School Physical Education Teacher skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Peter Alter Ph.D.: Public school salary systems are determined by years of teaching (sometimes called Steps) and level of education. Get a Master's degree. Add an authorization via coursework. Anything that will move you over a column on the salary schedule. Then figure out your side hustle- coaching, tutoring, doing something completely away from education. This may be challenging in your first year but as you get acclimated, you are going to have more time that you will be able to monetize.
Gina Anderson
Associate Dean for Educator Preparation and PartnershipsTexas Woman's University
TWU College of Professional Education
What general advice would you give to a High School Physical Education Teacher?
Gina Anderson: The intrinsic factors (making an impact, schedule, etc.) are often enjoyed by teachers. The paperwork, rules, regulations, and high-stakes accountability measures are often disliked by educators.
What High School Physical Education Teacher skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Gina Anderson: The daily workload of an educator varies greatly by the grade level, subject area, and needs of the students served. If the grade level is a "tested" year, this means that the expectations and pressures are typically higher in that standardized test scores are used to make high-stakes decisions about the student's progress, the teacher's effectiveness, and the school's and district's reputation. Similarly, if a grade level is one associated with a benchmark (all students reading at grade level) or for foundational skills (learning to read). Secondary teachers are also held responsible for end of year progress of their students - especially for subjects like English, Science, and Math. In the state of Texas, educators spend a minimum of four hours a day on teaching/instruction. Teachers must also spend time planning their instructional lessons, grading students' work, attending to students' and accommodations for learning English as a second language or for special education. The accommodations are not only in practice but also in required paperwork. Furthermore, teachers spend time responding to the behavioral, emotional, and mental health needs of their students; often partnering with other resource personnel in their school or district. Teachers also work with parents, guardians, or care-givers and communicate via meetings, phone, email and in-person visits. Educators are required to engage in a minimum number of professional development hours per academic year as well. In the state of Texas, educators are required to complete 150 continuing professional education clock hours over a five year renewal period. Many teachers spend time on the weekends and during the summer months attending to their teaching or professional development responsibilities. Some educators take on a second job during the summer months to supplement their income, as well. Finally, the above is the minimum expected of teachers. Many, if not most teachers, truly care about their students and engage far beyond the minimum by sponsoring extracurricular activities and building relationships with students. Excellent educators also are often tapped for additional roles such as serving as a mentor or cooperating teacher for pre-service teachers engaging in field work as required by their educator preparation program. When all is factored in to a typical day in the life of an educator, including instructional time, preparation, paperwork, accommodations, compliance with rules and regulations, professional development, relationship-building, and supporting future educators, it is usually well above a typical 8 hour workday and 40 hour work week.
What will help High School Physical Education Teachers increase their earning potential?
Gina Anderson: Education is the most important of all careers, as educators prepare others to work in all professions. Despite the challenges associated with being an educator, it is highly rewarding, especially when student success is a result of an educator's influence. The starting pay is typically in line with other 4 year college graduates, and the schedule and holidays are conducive to family life.
Dr. Andrea Burrows
Associate Dean for Undergraduate Programs, Professor, Science Education, School of Teacher EducationUniversity of Wyoming
College of Education
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for High School Physical Education Teachers to find work opportunities?
Dr. Andrea Burrows: If you mean "teaching" by "this field," then yes, all over the U.S., there is a teacher shortage. When using the U.S. Department of Education site (tsa.ed.gov) and searching for shortage areas for all U.S. states in the academic year 2020-2021, every subject area is shown. If someone is interested in a specific state, they can search the site for shortages related to that state. The pandemic has certainly sparked more appreciation for teachers nationwide, which hopefully translates into teachers across our nation having a stronger voice in educational spaces and policies and possibly finding work in unexpected places.
What type of skills will young High School Physical Education Teachers need?
Kimberly Lewinski Ph.D.: My hope is that so many people have gotten a glimpse into the life of a teacher this past year and all the hard work that goes into educating children of all levels. It would be wonderful if teachers begin to gain the respect they deserve now that others could see firsthand it's not as easy as it looks. I always said the problem with recognizing the hard work that goes into teaching is that good teachers make it look undemanding and flawless, straight up easy. People can't see the hours of planning and preparation that are required to make those lessons look so effortless.
What general advice would you give to a High School Physical Education Teacher?
R. Todd Coy Ph.D.: Our world today is technologically driven, so it's essential to stay up with that. However, one shouldn't forget the importance of making personal connections with people. "Old fashioned" courtesies, like phone calls or thank you notes to follow up on interviews, etc., can go a long way in helping you stand out from the crowd of form-like emails.
Also, don't think that there is only one path to professional success. Be open to new experiences and flexible in exploring various ways to blend your individual interests and passions into what you want to do and then forge a path that allows you to do pursue those dreams.
What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for High School Physical Education Teachers in the next 3-5 years?
R. Todd Coy Ph.D.: Even before the onset of COVID-19, the increasing importance of technology in areas like education and business communications was apparent. I believe Covid only served to speed up the oncoming changes. Using online formats to deliver professional services like mental health or education will continue to become even more mainstream. Therefore, staying current with the various applications and features found online will allow you to be more effective and marketable.
How would you rate the starting salaries for High School Physical Education Teachers, as well as the prospects for salary advancement?
R. Todd Coy Ph.D.: In many professional fields, seeking an advanced degree or training can change the trajectory of one's salary in a positive way. But I think to maximize one's earning potential, they should be flexible and willing to learn specific technologies that will increase their real-world value to prospective employers and, therefore, maximize their earning potential.
Julie Irene Bost
Assistant ProfessorThe University of North Carolina Greensboro
School of Education, Library and Information Science
What experience really stands out on High School Physical Education Teacher resumes?
Julie Irene Bost: A range of experiences in various settings, content areas, and age groups. The more experiences a teacher candidate has, the more skills they have to transfer into new settings. A resume really stands out when it includes teaching experiences with students of varying ages, abilities, and backgrounds along with multiple content areas (e.g., reading, math, science, etc.).
What High School Physical Education Teacher skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Julie Irene Bost: Students should seek out experiences in educational settings as much as possible. This might be a K-12 school, preschool, or community center. Any opportunity where they can practice teaching and behavior management skills is ideal.
Maggie Beeber
Undergraduate Advising Coordinator & Teacher Certification OfficerUniversity of Wisconsin - Stevens Point
School of Education
What general advice would you give to a High School Physical Education Teacher?
Maggie Beeber: Be flexible when searching for that first job. Spread your wings and be willing to live in a new community. You may find that it changes your whole life and is the perfect fit. Remember how hard you have worked to earn this degree. You are strong and can succeed in anything you put work into. We also want you to remember we are here if you need us.
What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for High School Physical Education Teachers in the next 3-5 years?
Maggie Beeber: Technology in teaching is so quickly evolving, especially in the midst of what we are going through. Take those opportunities given to you by your school district, your teacher's association, and the Department of Public Instruction.
How would you rate the starting salaries for High School Physical Education Teachers, as well as the prospects for salary advancement?
Maggie Beeber: As much as we would like to see an increase in teacher salaries, we seldom speak of the other financial benefits most districts offer: one of the best pension plans in the country, health, sometimes vision and dental. Many districts will give raises for years of experience and higher-level degrees like a master's degree, EdD or Ph.D. Some may assist in paying for these.
Dr. Ashley Phelps Ph.D.
Visiting Assistant ProfessorUniversity of New Mexico
Department of Physical Education Teacher Education
How do you envision technology impacting High School Physical Education Teachers in the next 5 years?
Dr. Ashley Phelps Ph.D.: For the next five years, I see technology having both a positive and negative impact on this field. For example, physical education teachers will have become knowledgeable in using technology to teach virtually; however, due to the increased screen time, technology could potentially become a burden for some. In essence, teachers may become desensitized to technology due to overexposure. However, it is important for physical education teachers to know that technology is not a mechanism by which it replaces teaching; rather, it helps to augment it. Like Sophia, the Artificial Intelligence robot once said, "robot intelligence does not compete with human intelligence; it completes it."
Thus, technology is here to help and is not going away anytime soon. Therefore, it would behoove preservice physical education teachers to learn about and implement various software and hardware within their curricula. Lastly, screen time has often been viewed as an unhealthy pastime in our field. I say, why not use screen time to our advantage to help prepare the tech-savvy leaders of tomorrow?
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on High School Physical Education Teachers?
Dr. Ashley Phelps Ph.D.: COVID-19 has thrown the field of education into a tailspin. Preservice and in-service physical education teachers have been tasked with quite the challenge when it comes to teaching socially distanced, virtual, and hybrid physical education. For example, when it comes to field experiences and student teaching, our preservice teachers have been confronted with a unique teaching climate, unlike ever before.
For the first time in the history of our profession, all of our student teachers have had to develop lesson plans for virtual physical education, and although this type of environment is far from the norm, our students have welcomed this challenge head-on. If anything, our preservice physical education teachers will be well-rounded individuals, ready to take on the in-person and virtual physical education environment. With that said, this cohort may be more marketable than any cohort ever before.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for High School Physical Education Teachers to find work opportunities?
Dr. Ashley Phelps Ph.D.: There are no particular places in which graduates will find work opportunities that are drastically different from pre-pandemic positions. If anything, the K-12 educational system may need teachers that are well-versed in technology now, more than ever. Additionally, it is important to remember that teaching environments and responsibilities vary by the school district. For example, some districts may vote to be completely online due to the pandemic. Others may require students to attend school while practicing social distancing protocols. Therefore, preservice physical education teachers are encouraged to do their research when applying for positions, during, and post-pandemic.
Janine Davis Ph.D.
Associate ProfessorUniversity of Mary Washington
College of Education
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on High School Physical Education Teachers?
Janine Davis Ph.D.: For our teacher education graduates, the impact of the pandemic will most likely work in their favor when it comes to finding jobs-the pandemic has led to many retirements, which will mean that we will need even more teachers to fill those empty positions. At the same time, the advent of increased virtual learning means that it will no longer be an option that teachers know and use technology, including teaching online and using learning management and data analysis systems-those skills will almost certainly be a non-negotiable for future teaching positions. Finally, I think that this event has highlighted the importance of working as part of a team of teachers and other school leaders.