Adapted Physical Education Specialists
Provide individualized physical education instruction or services to children, youth, or adults with exceptional physical needs due to gross motor developmental delays or other impairments.
Also called: Adapted Aquatics Instructor, Adapted Fitness Professional, Adapted Physical Activity Specialist, Adapted Physical Education Aide, Adapted Physical Educator, Adaptive PE Specialist (Adaptive Physical Education Specialist)
Median pay
$76,580
Pay for the broader BLS group “Special Education Teachers, All Other”
Pay range (10th–90th)
$48,440 – $120,080
People employed
33,930
Whole BLS group
Holland code
SCR
Social · Conventional · Realistic
Updated October 2026 · Data: O*NET 31.0 and BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
Is this career right for you?
These are the things that stand out in this job compared with other U.S. jobs (O*NET 31.0 work context). Answer honestly.
- 1.Do you prefer a steady pace without constant deadlines?
- 2.Are you OK being on your feet and moving most of the day?
- 3.Are you OK working outdoors in all kinds of weather?
The hard parts
- Long hours on your feet
- Dealing with conflict is part of the job
- Work outdoors in all weather
Adapted Physical Education Specialists pay by state
Highest-paying states
Annual median pay by state (41 states and DC with published data). Source: BLS OEWS May 2025, for the broader group “Special Education Teachers, All Other”.
Adapted Physical Education Specialists salary in every state →
What adapted physical education specialists do
- 01Provide adapted physical education services to students with intellectual disabilities, autism, traumatic brain injury, orthopedic impairments, or other disabling condition.
- 02Provide students positive feedback to encourage them and help them develop an appreciation for physical education.
- 03Provide individual or small groups of students with adapted physical education instruction that meets desired physical needs or goals.
- 04Instruct students, using adapted physical education techniques, to improve physical fitness, gross motor skills, perceptual motor skills, or sports and game achievement.
- 05Write reports to summarize student performance, social growth, or physical development.
- 06Evaluate the motor needs of individual students to determine their need for adapted physical education services.
Skills that matter most
- Speaking
- Learning Strategies
- Active Listening
- Monitoring
- Reading Comprehension
- Writing
Knowledge
- Education and Training
- Psychology
- English Language
- Administrative
- Law and Government
Work styles that stand out
- Dependability
- Integrity
- Cooperation
- Social Orientation
- Self-Control
Education and first steps
O*NET has no education survey data for this job.
How people get started
- Usually needs a bachelor's degree (O*NET Job Zone 4).
- Related work experience: over 1 year, up to and including 2 years.
- On-the-job training: none or short demonstration.
- A professional certification is often expected.
Most common answers from O*NET 31.0 Education, Training and Experience.
Interest fit (Holland code)
O*NET occupational interest scores, scale 1–7. Take the Free Career Test to compare with your own.
Career changes
Change from adapted physical education specialists
- Recreational Therapists83% · —
- Occupational Therapy Assistants79% · —
- Adult Basic Education, Adult Secondary Education, and English as a Second Language Instructors79% · —
- Recreation and Fitness Studies Teachers, Postsecondary79% · —
- Psychiatric Technicians76% · —
Change into adapted physical education specialists
Jobs whose skills carry over best (skill match, their median pay).
- Low Vision Therapists, Orientation and Mobility Specialists, and Vision Rehabilitation Therapists84% · $100,330
- Recreational Therapists79% · $61,960
- Recreation and Fitness Studies Teachers, Postsecondary78% · $77,270
- Occupational Therapy Assistants77% · $72,300
- Nursing Instructors and Teachers, Postsecondary76% · $80,250
Majors that lead here
- Special Education and Teaching, General
- Education/Teaching of Individuals with Hearing Impairments Including Deafness
- Education/Teaching of Individuals with Emotional Disturbances
- Education/Teaching of Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities
- Education/Teaching of Individuals with Multiple Disabilities
- Education/Teaching of Individuals with Orthopedic and Other Physical Health Impairments
- Education/Teaching of Individuals with Vision Impairments Including Blindness
- Education/Teaching of Individuals with Specific Learning Disabilities
- Education/Teaching of Individuals with Speech or Language Impairments
- Education/Teaching of Individuals with Autism
- Education/Teaching of Individuals Who are Developmentally Delayed
- Education/Teaching of Individuals with Traumatic Brain Injuries
From the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk.