How much does a recreation and fitness studies teacher make?
The median recreation and fitness studies teacher in the United States earns $77,270 per year. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all recreation and fitness studies teachers earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 25-1193.
Recreation and fitness studies teacher salary range
Pay for recreation and fitness studies teachers spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $44,900 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $134,890. The average (mean) wage of $86,620 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $44,900 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $59,990 | |
| Median (50th) | $77,270 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $101,450 | |
| 90th percentile | $134,890 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for recreation and fitness studies teachers, postsecondary (SOC 25-1193), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Recreation and fitness studies teacher salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Recreation and fitness studies teachers earn the most in California at $127,780 a year, and the least in Alaska at $58,330. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| California | $127,780 | 1,950 |
| Maryland | $97,640 | 90 |
| Massachusetts | $87,960 | 290 |
| Michigan | $83,690 | 320 |
| Wyoming | $83,260 | 30 |
| Pennsylvania | $83,150 | 640 |
| Wisconsin | $80,500 | 40 |
| Minnesota | $80,410 | 260 |
| New York | $80,190 | 670 |
| Connecticut | $79,200 | 190 |
| New Mexico | $79,090 | 40 |
| South Carolina | $78,800 | 280 |
| Texas | $76,480 | 1,460 |
| Utah | $76,350 | 110 |
| Florida | $76,100 | 140 |
| Iowa | $75,130 | 100 |
| Washington | $74,850 | 240 |
| North Carolina | $73,860 | 730 |
| Tennessee | $73,280 | 220 |
| Missouri | $73,180 | 200 |
| Alabama | $72,680 | 110 |
| Arizona | $71,230 | 90 |
| Ohio | $70,260 | 420 |
| Maine | $67,670 | 40 |
| Illinois | $67,180 | 630 |
| Indiana | $67,060 | 410 |
| West Virginia | $66,440 | 100 |
| Georgia | $66,410 | 160 |
| Louisiana | $65,940 | 100 |
| New Jersey | $65,900 | 520 |
| Colorado | $65,730 | 180 |
| Virginia | $65,320 | 310 |
| Kentucky | $64,890 | 230 |
| Oklahoma | $63,590 | 110 |
| Oregon | $63,090 | 480 |
| Arkansas | $63,020 | 110 |
| South Dakota | $62,280 | 60 |
| Mississippi | $60,560 | 190 |
| Kansas | $59,730 | 60 |
| Idaho | $58,720 | 70 |
| Alaska | $58,330 | 60 |
State median wages for recreation and fitness studies teachers, postsecondary (SOC 25-1193), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2025. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for recreation and fitness studies teachers
The BLS projects employment of recreation and fitness studies teachers to grow 2.2% from 2025 to 2035. That is about as fast as the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 15,200 jobs in 2025 moving toward 15,600 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 1,000 openings a year for recreation and fitness studies teachers. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a recreation and fitness studies teacher
The typical entry-level education for recreation and fitness studies teachers is a doctoral or professional degree, according to the BLS.
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a recreation and fitness studies teacher earns
District budget, level taught, degree, and region drive pay, along with years of service on a step-and-lane salary schedule. High cost metros and senior educators land near the top.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (California, $127,780) and the lowest (Alaska, $58,330) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 12,630 people work as recreation and fitness studies teachers in the United States. At $77,270 a year, the job pays above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Recreation and fitness studies teacher salary FAQ
How much does a recreation and fitness studies teacher make an hour?
Recreation and fitness studies teachers are generally salaried rather than paid by the hour, so the BLS does not publish an hourly wage for this job. The median annual salary is $77,270.
What is the highest recreation and fitness studies teacher salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of recreation and fitness studies teachers earn more than $134,890 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a recreation and fitness studies teacher make a year?
The median annual salary for a recreation and fitness studies teacher is $77,270. The average (mean) wage of $86,620 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being a recreation and fitness studies teacher a well paid job?
At $77,270 a year, a recreation and fitness studies teacher earns above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 12,630 people work as recreation and fitness studies teachers in the United States.
Which state pays recreation and fitness studies teachers the most?
California has the highest median salary for recreation and fitness studies teachers at $127,780 a year. Maryland ($97,640) and Massachusetts ($87,960) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being a recreation and fitness studies teacher a good career?
Employment of recreation and fitness studies teachers is projected to grow 2.2% from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 1,000 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a recreation and fitness studies teacher?
The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for recreation and fitness studies teachers as a doctoral or professional degree, so a college degree is usually expected.
Related salaries
See more in Education salaries or browse the highest paying jobs in the U.S.