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Physical education teacher salary
Average physical education teacher salary
$49,652
Understanding Physical Education Teacher Salaries
The average salary for a physical education teacher in the United States is approximately $49,652 per year, which translates to about $24 per hour. Salaries can vary significantly based on factors such as location, years of experience, and the type of school (public vs. private). For instance, teachers in states like California and New York often earn higher salaries due to the cost of living and demand for quality education.
It's important for prospective physical education teachers to research salaries in their desired regions and understand how their qualifications can influence their earning potential. Entry-level positions may offer lower starting salaries, while experienced teachers or those with advanced degrees can command higher wages. Additionally, schools may offer benefits that enhance overall compensation, such as health insurance, retirement plans, and professional development opportunities.
Salary Trends Over Time
Over the past few years, the salary for physical education teachers has seen steady growth. This trend reflects the increasing emphasis on physical education in school curriculums and the recognition of its role in promoting student health and well-being. Job opportunities in this field are expected to remain strong as educational institutions continue to prioritize physical education programs.
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Where can a Physical Education Teacher earn more?
Physical education teacher salary estimates from across the web
Average physical education teacher salary by state
The highest-paying states for physical education teachers are Maryland, Delaware, and Illinois. The lowest average physical education teacher salary states are Colorado, South Carolina, and Oklahoma.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for physical education teachers
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Maryland | $61,322 | $29.48 |
| 2 | Illinois | $57,492 | $27.64 |
| 3 | Delaware | $58,065 | $27.92 |
| 4 | Kansas | $55,306 | $26.59 |
| 5 | Indiana | $51,764 | $24.89 |
| 6 | Louisiana | $52,714 | $25.34 |
| 7 | New York | $56,826 | $27.32 |
| 8 | New Jersey | $51,856 | $24.93 |
| 9 | New Mexico | $47,434 | $22.80 |
| 10 | Virginia | $55,522 | $26.69 |
| 11 | Rhode Island | $49,418 | $23.76 |
| 12 | District of Columbia | $57,600 | $27.69 |
| 13 | Connecticut | $51,346 | $24.69 |
| 14 | Vermont | $47,940 | $23.05 |
| 15 | Massachusetts | $49,497 | $23.80 |
| 16 | Iowa | $48,129 | $23.14 |
| 17 | California | $56,190 | $27.01 |
| 18 | West Virginia | $45,723 | $21.98 |
| 19 | Nevada | $50,704 | $24.38 |
| 20 | Alaska | $49,996 | $24.04 |
| 21 | North Dakota | $48,491 | $23.31 |
| 22 | Washington | $50,973 | $24.51 |
| 23 | Pennsylvania | $45,471 | $21.86 |
| 24 | Ohio | $47,266 | $22.72 |
| 25 | Idaho | $47,666 | $22.92 |
| 26 | Wisconsin | $47,928 | $23.04 |
| 27 | Wyoming | $42,522 | $20.44 |
| 28 | Michigan | $43,634 | $20.98 |
| 29 | Nebraska | $41,919 | $20.15 |
| 30 | Texas | $43,905 | $21.11 |
| 31 | Mississippi | $43,319 | $20.83 |
| 32 | Florida | $42,929 | $20.64 |
| 33 | Arkansas | $43,987 | $21.15 |
| 34 | Minnesota | $43,680 | $21.00 |
| 35 | Arizona | $44,650 | $21.47 |
| 36 | Oregon | $46,455 | $22.33 |
| 37 | Maine | $41,266 | $19.84 |
| 38 | Missouri | $41,960 | $20.17 |
| 39 | Alabama | $42,834 | $20.59 |
| 40 | Tennessee | $41,300 | $19.86 |
| 41 | South Carolina | $36,339 | $17.47 |
| 42 | Colorado | $37,707 | $18.13 |
| 43 | Georgia | $41,464 | $19.93 |
| 44 | Oklahoma | $35,103 | $16.88 |
| 45 | Hawaii | $43,467 | $20.90 |
| 46 | North Carolina | $39,005 | $18.75 |
| 47 | Montana | $33,621 | $16.16 |
| 48 | New Hampshire | $39,942 | $19.20 |
| 49 | Utah | $41,030 | $19.73 |
| 50 | South Dakota | $34,680 | $16.67 |
| 51 | Kentucky | $32,551 | $15.65 |
Highest paying cities for physical education teachers
The highest-paying cities for physical education teachers are Clinton, MD, Chicago, IL, and Washington, DC.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Clinton, MD | $61,743 | $29.68 |
| 2 | Chicago, IL | $57,769 | $27.77 |
| 3 | Washington, DC | $57,635 | $27.71 |
| 4 | New York, NY | $57,571 | $27.68 |
| 5 | San Francisco, CA | $57,197 | $27.50 |
| 6 | Alexandria, VA | $55,456 | $26.66 |
| 7 | Greenwich, CT | $53,323 | $25.64 |
| 8 | Camden, NJ | $53,319 | $25.63 |
| 9 | Baton Rouge, LA | $52,878 | $25.42 |
| 10 | Las Vegas, NV | $50,806 | $24.43 |
| 11 | Boston, MA | $49,240 | $23.67 |
| 12 | Milwaukee, WI | $48,249 | $23.20 |
| 13 | Columbus, OH | $47,832 | $23.00 |
| 14 | Salem, OR | $46,636 | $22.42 |
| 15 | Philadelphia, PA | $45,851 | $22.04 |
| 16 | Surprise, AZ | $44,718 | $21.50 |
| 17 | San Antonio, TX | $44,515 | $21.40 |
| 18 | Miami, FL | $43,988 | $21.15 |
| 19 | Detroit, MI | $43,743 | $21.03 |
| 20 | Saint Louis, MO | $42,335 | $20.35 |
Physical education teacher salary details
A physical education teacher's salary ranges from $35,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $68,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is a physical education teacher's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $68,000 | $5,667 | $33 |
| 75th Percentile | $59,000 | $4,917 | $28 |
| Average | $49,652 | $4,138 | $24 |
| 25th Percentile | $41,000 | $3,417 | $20 |
| 10th Percentile | $35,000 | $2,917 | $17 |
Highest paying physical education teacher jobs
The highest paying types of physical education teachers are astronomy professor, medical physics professor, and physics professor.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Academic Tutor | $33,047 | $2,754 | $15.89 | 45,913 |
| Spanish Teacher | $52,445 | $4,370 | $25.21 | 54,666 |
| Physics Professor | $69,894 | $5,825 | $33.60 | 12,289 |
| Health And Physical Education Teacher | $47,140 | $3,928 | $22.66 | 156,643 |
Top companies hiring physical education teachers now:
Which companies pay physical education teachers the most?
Physical education teacher salaries at California State University and Boston Public Schools are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average physical education teacher salary at companies like Whitby School and MassBay Community College are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California State University | $74,160 | $35.65 |
| 2 | Boston Public Schools | $74,160 | $35.65 |
| 3 | Whitby School | $69,777 | $33.55 |
| 4 | MassBay Community College | $66,927 | $32.18 |
| 5 | Lycée Français de Chicago | $66,134 | $31.80 |
| 6 | Chicago Math and Science Academy | $65,896 | $31.68 |
| 7 | Mastery Charter Schools | $62,595 | $30.09 |
| 8 | The Waldorf School of Garden City | $62,284 | $29.94 |
| 9 | Inner City Education Foundation | $62,217 | $29.91 |
| 10 | Le Lycée Français de Los Angeles | $60,857 | $29.26 |
| 11 | The Principia | $60,477 | $29.08 |
| 12 | The City University of New York | $60,064 | $28.88 |
| 13 | Islamic Saudi Academy | $59,844 | $28.77 |
| 14 | Newton Public Schools | $59,562 | $28.64 |
| 15 | Bolton High School | $59,244 | $28.48 |
| 16 | Magnolia Educational and Research Foundation | $59,036 | $28.38 |
| 17 | Gompers Preparatory Academy | $59,012 | $28.37 |
| 18 | Union County Public Schools | $58,623 | $28.18 |
| 19 | Berkeley High School | $58,206 | $27.98 |
| 20 | Summit Public Schools | $58,181 | $27.97 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
Physical education teacher salary trends
The average physical education teacher salary has risen by $7,064 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average physical education teacher earned $42,588 annually, but today, they earn $49,652 a year. That works out to a 7% change in pay for physical education teachers over the last decade.
Compare physical education teacher salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average physical education teacher salary over time
Compare physical education teacher salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
Physical education teacher salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $49,700 | $23.87 | +0.9% |
| 2024 | $49,200 | $23.66 | -1.4% |
| 2023 | $49,900 | $23.98 | +3.8% |
| 2022 | $48,000 | $23.06 | +3.2% |
| 2021 | $46,400 | $22.33 | +2.0% |
Recently added physical education teacher salaries
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Educate Kansas | Elementary Physical Education Teacher (K | Washington, KS | 06/30/2025 | $43,400 |
| Kipp Public Schools | Physical Education Teacher) | Jacksonville, FL | 06/30/2025 | $50,000 |
| Strideinc | Physical Education Teacher | Columbia, SC | 06/30/2025 | $51,000 |
| Educate Kansas | K-8 Physical Education Teacher | Oakley, KS | 06/29/2025 | $43,260 |
| Mastery Charter Schools | Elementary Physical Education Teacher-K-6Th Grade School Year | Philadelphia, PA | 06/29/2025 | $60,000 |
| Fortune School of Education | Physical Education/Yoga Teacher | Sacramento, CA | 06/29/2025 | $63,403 |
| The Leffell School | Upper School Physical Education Teacher and Boys' Varsity Soccer | Hartsdale, NY | 06/29/2025 | $55,000 |
| San Felipe Del Rio CISD | Physical Education Teacher-Job #8017 | Nome, TX | 06/28/2025 | $55,900 |
| International Leadership of Texas | Physical Education Teacher) | Houston, TX | 06/28/2025 | $57,000 |
| Auburn School District | HS Teacher-Physical Education Leave Replacement | Auburn, WA | 06/27/2025 | $68,589 |
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