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Education & TrainingStable

Adapted Physical Education Specialist

Mid-level

Also known as: Adapted Fitness Professional, Adapted Physical Activity Specialist, Adapted Physical Education Specialist (APE Specialist), Adapted Physical Education Teacher (Adapted PE Teacher)

Education & TrainingBachelor's Degree

Job Description

As an Adapted Physical Education Specialist, you create and deliver personalized physical education programs for children, youth, or adults with unique physical needs, including developmental delays or other impairments. You work indoors, often in schools, spending time communicating face-to-face with students and collaborating with teams. You'll use your active listening and speaking skills to assess needs, determine goals, and monitor progress, making key decisions about tasks and priorities. This role is ideal if you're passionate about active learning, helping others, and designing inclusive activities.
Adapted Physical EducationSpecial EducationKinesiologyMotor DevelopmentEducationHealthcareTherapeutic ServicesTeaching

A Day in the Life

You arrive at Northwood Elementary School just after 7:30 AM, the hallways still quiet. Your first stop is your small office, a space filled with adaptive equipment prototypes and student progress charts. You open your laptop, checking your school email for updates on student schedules or new referrals. Today's priority: reviewing IEP goals for Maria and Liam before their sessions, ensuring you have the correct sensory integration tools ready for their fine motor skill activities.

Skills employers are looking for in 2027

Software and technologies flagged by O*NET as Hot or In-Demand for this role.

Hot technologies
FacebookMicrosoft ExcelMicrosoft Office softwareMicrosoft OutlookMicrosoft PowerPointMicrosoft Word

Job Outlook 2025-2035

Projected growth

+1.9%

US average: +3.5%

Job openings

2,300

per year (US)

Jobs today

34,800

in 2025 → 35,500 (2035)

Typical entry education

Bachelor's degree

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections; O*NET Bright Outlook. Read the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook

Work Environment

How this work is typically performed, based on O*NET work context data.

Email & digital communication
High
Working in a team
High
Contact with others
High
Freedom to make decisions
High
Time pressure
Moderate
Time spent sitting
Low
Working outdoors
Moderate
Indoor, climate-controlled
High
Dealing with customers
Moderate
Level of competition
Moderate

Source: O*NET Work Context (v31.0)

Future Perspective

Stable Job Market

The outlook for this career is stable, with about 2,300 job openings projected each year through 2035. Employment is expected to grow by 1.9% over the next decade. The median annual wage for this role is $76,580. With experience, you can advance into leadership positions such as program director or coordinator within special education.

Career ladder

Often before this role

  • Physical Education Teaching Assistant
  • Special Education Paraprofessional
  • Rehabilitation Assistant

Where it can lead

  • Adapted Physical Education Program Director
  • Special Education Coordinator
  • University Professor (Adapted Physical Education)

Impact of AI on this Job

AI will likely assist Adapted Physical Education Specialists by providing data analytics on student progress, personalized exercise recommendations, and adaptive game design. Virtual reality and AI-powered robotics could offer engaging, customized physical activities, allowing specialists to focus more on direct interaction and socio-emotional support rather than solely on program design and tracking.

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Salary

$76,580

Median annual wage, BLS 2025

Required Education

Bachelor's Degree

Minimum educational requirement for this position

Relevant Studies

Based on job level & field

Special Education and Teaching, General

Bachelor • Education • 4 years

Education/Teaching of Individuals with Multiple Disabilities

Bachelor • Education • 4 years

Physical Education

Bachelor • Sports & Fitness • 4 years

Education

Bachelor • Education • 4 years

Health Occupations Teacher Education

Bachelor • Education • 4 years

Sports Science

Bachelor • Sports & Fitness • 4 years

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