Adapted Physical Education Specialists Salary by State
The national median pay for adapted physical education specialists is $76,580 a year. By state, it ranges from $39,920 in West Virginia to $103,050 in California. These figures are for the broader BLS group “Special Education Teachers, All Other”.
Updated October 2026 · Data: BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
U.S. pay range
- Lowest 10%
- $48,440
- 25th percentile
- $60,930
- Median
- $76,580
- 75th percentile
- $99,690
- Top 10%
- $120,080
Annual pay, all U.S. workers in this job (broader BLS group “Special Education Teachers, All Other”). About 33,930 jobs.
Median pay in 41 states and DC
| # | State | Median | vs. U.S. | Lowest 10% | Top 10% | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | $103,050 | +35% | $64,830 | $126,210 | 8,920 |
| 2 | New Mexico | $86,520 | +13% | $79,710 | $107,250 | 100 |
| 3 | Delaware | $85,040 | +11% | $61,820 | $102,500 | 50 |
| 4 | Oregon | $82,240 | +7% | $58,820 | $136,490 | 820 |
| 5 | Rhode Island | $80,080 | +5% | $50,670 | $98,940 | 110 |
| 6 | Colorado | $79,290 | +4% | $44,960 | $98,920 | 180 |
| 7 | Michigan | $78,540 | +3% | $49,500 | $101,330 | 3,320 |
| 8 | Massachusetts | $78,440 | +2% | $56,800 | $108,850 | 300 |
| 9 | Virginia | $77,280 | +1% | $51,690 | $108,040 | 540 |
| 10 | Washington | $76,790 | 0% | $48,630 | $101,280 | 170 |
| 11 | Pennsylvania | $76,530 | 0% | $46,990 | $99,500 | 450 |
| 12 | Georgia | $76,130 | −1% | $48,440 | $101,560 | 980 |
| 13 | Maryland | $76,100 | −1% | $61,390 | $105,130 | 3,020 |
| 14 | District of Columbia | $71,130 | −7% | $42,860 | $107,140 | 130 |
| 15 | New Jersey | $71,110 | −7% | $48,780 | $103,980 | 610 |
| 16 | Iowa | $71,050 | −7% | $36,390 | $90,870 | 340 |
| 17 | Minnesota | $69,470 | −9% | $47,490 | $98,100 | 180 |
| 18 | Florida | $68,690 | −10% | $50,570 | $97,240 | 900 |
| 19 | Utah | $67,860 | −11% | $52,440 | $99,250 | 100 |
| 20 | Wisconsin | $66,910 | −13% | $40,540 | $80,510 | 160 |
| 21 | New Hampshire | $66,670 | −13% | $51,830 | $78,800 | 160 |
| 22 | New York | $65,970 | −14% | $47,130 | $126,430 | 2,170 |
| 23 | Texas | $65,710 | −14% | $43,980 | $84,230 | 880 |
| 24 | North Carolina | $65,170 | −15% | $50,440 | $74,940 | Not published |
| 25 | Illinois | $64,850 | −15% | $47,660 | $100,320 | 2,560 |
| 26 | Nevada | $64,410 | −16% | $54,800 | $83,210 | 1,230 |
| 27 | Tennessee | $63,300 | −17% | $45,490 | $81,740 | 180 |
| 28 | Kentucky | $63,140 | −18% | $48,410 | $83,780 | 290 |
| 29 | Arkansas | $61,690 | −19% | $50,490 | $79,630 | 70 |
| 30 | North Dakota | $61,500 | −20% | $50,830 | $80,180 | 90 |
| 31 | Connecticut | $61,480 | −20% | $40,730 | $102,050 | 1,400 |
| 32 | Louisiana | $61,170 | −20% | $47,390 | $79,130 | 610 |
| 33 | Indiana | $60,920 | −20% | $48,240 | $72,490 | 80 |
| 34 | Nebraska | $59,760 | −22% | $38,950 | $105,680 | 60 |
| 35 | Arizona | $59,500 | −22% | $45,680 | $92,330 | Not published |
| 36 | Maine | $56,780 | −26% | $52,480 | $89,000 | Not published |
| 37 | Ohio | $51,230 | −33% | $37,530 | $92,020 | 580 |
| 38 | Missouri | $49,610 | −35% | $43,310 | $83,240 | 210 |
| 39 | Alabama | $49,520 | −35% | $37,590 | $88,710 | 110 |
| 40 | Vermont | $46,980 | −39% | $45,140 | $65,980 | 70 |
| 41 | Mississippi | $46,700 | −39% | $27,410 | $69,620 | 60 |
| 42 | West Virginia | $39,920 | −48% | $30,050 | $51,810 | 530 |
BLS OEWS May 2025 state estimates for the broader group “Special Education Teachers, All Other”. States without published data are not listed. “Not published”: BLS withheld the value or it is above the highest amount BLS publishes. Pay is not adjusted for living costs.
Adapted Physical Education Specialists salary questions
Which state pays adapted physical education specialists the most?
California, with a median of $103,050 a year (+35% vs. the national median of $76,580). BLS May 2025.
Which state pays adapted physical education specialists the least?
West Virginia, with a median of $39,920 a year (−48% vs. national).
Where do most adapted physical education specialists work?
California has the most jobs, about 8,920, with a median of $103,050.
Does a higher salary mean more money left over?
Not always. These are pay figures only. Living costs, taxes and housing differ a lot between states, and this page does not adjust for them.