What is an Adapted Physical Education Specialist?
Career Description 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.
List of Adapted Physical Education Specialist Job Duties
- Maintain inventory of instructional equipment, materials, or aids.
- Assess students' physical progress or needs.
- Provide individual or small groups of students with adapted physical education instruction that meets desired physical needs or goals.
- Assist in screening or placement of students in adapted physical education programs.
- Instruct students, using adapted physical education techniques, to improve physical fitness, gross motor skills, perceptual motor skills, or sports and game achievement.
- Review adapted physical education programs or practices to ensure compliance with government or other regulations.
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What Skills Do You Need to Work as an Adapted Physical Education Specialist?
Adapted Physical Education Specialists state the following job skills are important in their day-to-day work.
Service Orientation: Actively looking for ways to help people.
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Instructing: Teaching others how to do something.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Social Perceptiveness: Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
Types of Adapted Physical Education Specialist Jobs
- Certified Adaptive Physical Educator
- Adaptive Physical Education Teacher
- Certified Adapted Physical Educator
- Adapted Physical Education Teacher
- Physical Education Provider
Job Opportunities for Adapted Physical Education Specialists
In 2016, there was an estimated number of 41,300 jobs in the United States for Adapted Physical Education Specialist. New jobs are being produced at a rate of 9.9% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 4,100 new jobs for Adapted Physical Education Specialist by 2026. Due to new job openings and attrition, there will be an average of 3,400 job openings in this field each year.

The states with the most job growth for Adapted Physical Education Specialist are Utah, Arizona, and Hawaii. Watch out if you plan on working in North Dakota, North Carolina, or Nebraska. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
Adapted Physical Education Specialist Salary
The average yearly salary of an Adapted Physical Education Specialist ranges between $34,580 and $98,730.

Adapted Physical Education Specialists who work in Oregon, Rhode Island, or Virginia, make the highest salaries.
How much do Adapted Physical Education Specialists make in different U.S. states?
State | Annual Mean Salary |
---|---|
Alabama | $60,840 |
Alaska | $62,040 |
Arizona | $48,850 |
Arkansas | $34,140 |
California | $66,640 |
Colorado | $51,370 |
Connecticut | $70,200 |
District of Columbia | $67,310 |
Florida | $51,500 |
Georgia | $58,010 |
Hawaii | $37,160 |
Idaho | $47,080 |
Illinois | $54,120 |
Indiana | $46,190 |
Iowa | $75,280 |
Kansas | $67,310 |
Kentucky | $58,910 |
Louisiana | $57,490 |
Maryland | $51,090 |
Massachusetts | $56,700 |
Michigan | $72,670 |
Minnesota | $68,540 |
Mississippi | $57,280 |
Missouri | $55,780 |
Montana | $58,430 |
Nebraska | $60,060 |
Nevada | $55,650 |
New Hampshire | $48,150 |
New Jersey | $65,380 |
New Mexico | $56,290 |
North Carolina | $45,670 |
Ohio | $42,690 |
Oklahoma | $40,300 |
Oregon | $81,990 |
Pennsylvania | $66,780 |
Rhode Island | $81,180 |
South Carolina | $62,740 |
Tennessee | $57,580 |
Texas | $53,840 |
Utah | $72,290 |
Vermont | $45,400 |
Virginia | $78,340 |
Washington | $59,520 |
West Virginia | $53,030 |
Wisconsin | $63,010 |
Tools & Technologies Used by Adapted Physical Education Specialists
Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Adapted Physical Education Specialists may use on a daily basis:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Outlook
- Web browser software
- Email software
- Database software
- Individualized Educational Program IEP software
- Student record software
How to Become an Adapted Physical Education Specialist
Individuals working as an Adapted Physical Education Specialist have obtained the following education levels:

How many years of work experience do I need?

Where do Adapted Physical Education Specialists Work?

Below are examples of industries where Adapted Physical Education Specialists work:

References:
Image Credit: woodleywonderworks via Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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