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Job outlook for physical education teachers in the United States
Physical education teacher job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected physical education teacher job growth rate is 12% from 2018-2028.
About 159,400 new jobs for physical education teachers are projected over the next decade.
Physical education teacher salaries have increased 7% for physical education teachers in the last 5 years.
There are over 28,563 physical education teachers currently employed in the United States.
There are 109,956 active physical education teacher job openings in the US.
The average physical education teacher salary is $49,652.
Are physical education teacher jobs in demand?
Physical education teacher job and salary trends over time
Physical education teacher jobs over time
Physical education teacher job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 28,563 | 0.01% |
| 2020 | 29,811 | 0.01% |
| 2019 | 31,302 | 0.01% |
| 2018 | 31,159 | 0.01% |
| 2017 | 30,439 | 0.01% |
Average physical education teacher salary over time
Physical education teacher salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $49,652 | $23.87 | +0.9% |
| 2025 | $49,207 | $23.66 | --1.3% |
| 2024 | $49,871 | $23.98 | +4.0% |
| 2023 | $47,971 | $23.06 | +3.3% |
| 2022 | $46,450 | $22.33 | +2.1% |
Physical education teacher jobs by state
Most common states for physical education teachers
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 223 | 32% |
| 2 | Vermont | 623,657 | 162 | 26% |
| 3 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 1,556 | 23% |
| 4 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 1,204 | 20% |
| 5 | New Mexico | 2,088,070 | 416 | 20% |
| 6 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 381 | 20% |
| 7 | Delaware | 961,939 | 196 | 20% |
| 8 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 110 | 19% |
| 9 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 975 | 17% |
| 10 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 177 | 17% |
| 11 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 176 | 17% |
| 12 | Illinois | 12,802,023 | 2,044 | 16% |
| 13 | New Jersey | 9,005,644 | 1,466 | 16% |
| 14 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 899 | 16% |
| 15 | Iowa | 3,145,711 | 493 | 16% |
| 16 | Kansas | 2,913,123 | 463 | 16% |
| 17 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 217 | 16% |
| 18 | South Carolina | 5,024,369 | 746 | 15% |
| 19 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 1,195 | 14% |
| 20 | Indiana | 6,666,818 | 964 | 14% |
Most common cities for physical education teachers
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brookline | 1 | 2% | $49,303 |
| 2 | Fairfield | 1 | 2% | $52,614 |
| 3 | Plainfield | 1 | 2% | $51,766 |
| 4 | Jersey City | 2 | 1% | $51,368 |
| 5 | Newark | 2 | 1% | $51,349 |
| 6 | Danbury | 1 | 1% | $51,754 |
| 7 | Hartford | 1 | 1% | $49,503 |
| 8 | Lafayette | 1 | 1% | $51,777 |
| 9 | Norwalk | 1 | 1% | $52,933 |
| 10 | Springfield | 1 | 1% | $50,976 |
| 11 | New York | 11 | 0% | $57,571 |
| 12 | Philadelphia | 3 | 0% | $45,851 |
| 13 | Boston | 2 | 0% | $49,240 |
| 14 | Los Angeles | 1 | 0% | $56,014 |
| 15 | Phoenix | 1 | 0% | $44,674 |
| 16 | Washington | 1 | 0% | $57,635 |
Physical Education Teacher job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of physical education teacher experts
University of Arkansas, Fayetteville
Oklahoma State University
United States Sports Academy
Manhattan College
University of New Mexico
Western Kentucky University
What general advice would you give to a Physical Education Teacher?
Dr. Vicki Collet: As in all fields, those who know how to use AI will prosper. Find ways to use AI to simplify processes and to support your creativity, always keeping at the forefront the needs of the unique students in your classes. Copy and paste cannot meet the needs of your students, but it can provide a starting place.
What will help Physical Education Teachers increase their earning potential?
Dr. Vicki Collet: First-year teachers should reach out to colleagues for support. Don't hesitate! Every school has their own ways of doing things, and you won't know unless you ask. There is no shame in asking for help. Plan a personal retreat for October. Your adrenaline will be high as you start the school year with your own classroom. However, by October, you will likely feel worn out from learning the new duties and responsibilities. Plan ahead to bolster yourself through this month. After refueling, refocus on why you chose this profession.
What will help Physical Education Teachers increase their earning potential?
Asia Heynen M.S.: Kinesiology is a very broad discipline. As a Kinesiology major, you can find professional success in a variety of careers, such as being a physician, physical therapist, physical education teacher, nurse, sports coach, athletic trainer, occupational therapist, sport psychologist, and countless more. The day-to-day duties entirely depend on the profession itself and can vary widely depending on the personal preferences of the individual. Kinesiologists are problem-solvers and will take that drive into any profession they choose.
What general advice would you give to a 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 general advice would you give to a Physical Education Teacher?
Ender Şenel Assoc. Prof. Dr.: General Advice: As you begin your career, I recommend being open to continuous learning and development in your field. From the moment you graduate, seek opportunities to apply your theoretical knowledge in practice and make an effort to expand your professional network. Also, focus on continuously developing skills such as critical thinking, problem-solving, and effective communication, as these abilities are valuable in every field. As a new graduate in physical education and sports teaching, focus on developing innovative and diversified exercise programs that support the physical and mental health of your students. For example, you can include alternative physical activities such as yoga or pilates in your lesson plans in addition to traditional sports. Additionally, you can expand your professional network by organizing extracurricular sports activities and collaborating with local sports clubs.
What Physical Education Teacher skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Ender Şenel Assoc. Prof. Dr.: Skills That Will Gain Importance: In the next 3-5 years, technological competencies and the use of digital tools will become even more important. In particular, developments in educational technologies and distance learning methods will highlight educators' ability to effectively use these tools. Additionally, cultural awareness and the ability to meet a wide variety of learning needs will become critically important in an increasingly global learning environment. Technology is becoming increasingly important in the field of physical education and sports teaching. In the coming years, the use of wearable technologies and smart sports equipment to monitor and evaluate students' physical activities will become widespread. Additionally, virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) technologies can make education more interactive by providing students with realistic experiences in different sports.
What will help Physical Education Teachers increase their earning potential?
Ender Şenel Assoc. Prof. Dr.: Maximizing Salary Potential: To maximize your salary potential in your career, focus on deepening your expertise in your areas of specialization and developing niche skills. Also, take advantage of professional development opportunities and expand your career steps by obtaining certifications or additional training. You can increase your chances of reaching higher-paying positions by developing your teaching and research skills and positioning yourself as a recognized expert in your field. To deepen your expertise, for example, you can distinguish yourself by developing adaptive physical education programs for students with special needs or working on training methodologies to improve the performance of school sports teams. Additionally, you can earn extra income and strengthen your professional profile by taking part in national or international sports organizations or conducting research in the field of sports science.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Physical Education Teacher job market given the pandemic?
Christie , M. González-Toro Ph.D.: Since the public school system in New York City closed in mid-March, physical education teachers have been developing innovative and creative lessons regardless of the delivery method (in-school learning, distance learning, or using a hybrid learning approach). With no access to equipment, gymnasiums, sports fields, open areas, or playgrounds, P.E. has been one of the most challenging subjects to teach remotely. Regardless of these challenges, P.E. teachers are committed to continue providing a well-rounded education. Because of the large number of children who are sitting while staring at a screen for extended periods of time, physical education has become more crucial than it already was.
Physical Education Teacher Education programs are educating future P.E. teachers to adapt the subject to unexpected changes. Physical education professors are committed to educating pre-service teachers to be informed consumers in the use of technology such as the use of different video conferences (e.g., Zoom, Google Meet), Google Classroom, and interactive platforms and to record and edit videos. In addition, prospective teachers are encouraged to attend professional development conferences.
Dr. Ashley Phelps Ph.D.
Visiting Assistant ProfessorUniversity of New Mexico
Department of Physical Education Teacher Education
How do you envision technology impacting 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 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.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Physical Education Teachers?
David Bell Ph.D.: It is too soon to know what enduring impact the coronavirus will have on graduates, but I do see two potential effects. First, DPT graduates in 2020 endured significant distruptions in their clinical placements. Clinical rotations often serve as "on the job" interviews for DPT students, as many students receive job offers as a direct result of their clinical placements. Therefore, clinical partners who were unable to host students as a result of the pandemic may be somewhat disadvantaged in recruiting these recent graduates.
This graduating class may also be disadvantaged by reduced time spent in specific clinical placements as well as reduced exposure to the variety of clinical options available prior to the pandemic. Second, many programs are waiving requirements for observation hours and letters of recommendation from physical therapists for the current applicant pool. Therefore, this current pool of applicants may have limited exposure to and understanding of the physical therapy profession prior to admission to DPT programs. It is unknown what effect this limited exposure to the profession may have on this cohort of students.