Education & Library
Adapted Physical Education Specialists
Also called: Adapted Aquatics Instructor, Adapted Physical Activity Specialist, Adapted Physical Educator, APE Consultant (Adapted Physical Education Consultant)
US median pay
$76,580
per year, 2025
Job growth 2025–35
+1.9%
about average or slower
Openings a year (US)
2,300
34,800 employed
Typical entry education
Bachelor's degree
Preparation 4/5 · Considerable preparation
What this job is
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.
What they do day to day
- Provide adapted physical education services to students with intellectual disabilities, autism, traumatic brain injury, orthopedic impairments, or other disabling condition.
- Provide students positive feedback to encourage them and help them develop an appreciation for physical education.
- Provide individual or small groups of students with adapted physical education instruction that meets desired physical needs or goals.
- Instruct students, using adapted physical education techniques, to improve physical fitness, gross motor skills, perceptual motor skills, or sports and game achievement.
- Write reports to summarize student performance, social growth, or physical development.
- Evaluate the motor needs of individual students to determine their need for adapted physical education services.
- Establish and maintain standards of behavior to create safe, orderly, and effective environments for learning.
- Collaborate with other educational personnel to provide inclusive activities or programs for children with disabilities.
- Adapt instructional techniques to the age and skill levels of students.
- Assist in screening or placement of students in adapted physical education programs.
Skills and knowledge that matter most
Skills
- Instructing4.1/5
- Social Perceptiveness4.0/5
- Service Orientation3.9/5
- Judgment and Decision Making3.8/5
- Coordination3.8/5
- Complex Problem Solving3.4/5
- Time Management3.2/5
- Systems Evaluation3.1/5
Knowledge
- Education and Training4.8/5
- Psychology4.0/5
- English Language3.5/5
- Law and Government3.4/5
- Administrative3.4/5
- Public Safety and Security3.1/5
Importance rated by people working in the job (1 = not important, 5 = extremely important).
Education and preparation
Preparation level 4 of 5 — Considerable preparation. Usually a bachelor's degree and several years of related experience.
Typical entry education (BLS): Bachelor's degree.
Who this job suits
Mostly Social
Helping, teaching and caring for people
Conventional
Organising data, details and procedures
Realistic
Hands-on work with tools, machines, plants or animals
Based on the Holland (RIASEC) interest profile for this occupation.