Stay Fit in a Career in the Physical and Health Education Field

There's never been a better time to get into the physical and health education field. Aging baby boomers and young professionals alike are joining gyms and health clubs like never before. Advances in technology and medicine have created new jobs for sports therapists who work with injured patients. The Obama administration has made physical fitness a priority and is working to strengthen physical education programs in U.S. public schools.

Career Opportunities in Physical and Health Education

There are many ways to capitalize on this trend, each with its own training requirements. The jobs below are several examples of directions you can take within the field. All data comes from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Physical Education Teachers

Physical education teachers work with elementary, secondary, and middle school students, teaching them the importance of staying active and healthy. They are on the front lines of the war against childhood obesity. To teach in U.S. public schools, physical education teachers must obtain state certification in physical education. The first step toward certification is a bachelor's degree in physical education or a related field from an accredited college or university with a teacher training program.

In 2008, elementary school teachers earned a mean yearly salary of $52,240, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The mean yearly salary for middle school teachers was $52,570. For secondary school teachers, the mean annual salary was $54,390.

Coaches

Coaches work with individual athletes and sports teams at the high school and college levels, helping them prepare for competition and advising them on nutrition, weight loss, weight gain, and conditioning. In high schools, teachers of academic subjects who coach on a part-time basis for extra pay may fulfill this role. Head coaches need a bachelor's degree in a sport-related field. Many campus-based and online schools offer degrees related to coaching, including exercise and sports science, physiology, physical education, and sports medicine.

The mean yearly income for coaches was $35,580 in 2008. For college coaches only, it was $48,210. Wages were highest in Mississippi, New Hampshire, and Maryland.

Recreation and Fitness Studies Instructors

Recreation and fitness studies instructors at the postsecondary level teach classes such as exercise physiology and facilities management to college students; some also conduct research. In most cases, a master's degree or higher in a field such as physiology, exercise and sports science, or nutrition and fitness is required.

In 2008, they earned a mean annual salary of $60,700. That number was significantly higher in California, Michigan, New Hampshire, and Connecticut.

Athletic Trainers

Athletic trainers educate professional athletes and other active people on how to prevent musculoskeletal injuries. They also treat injuries and guide clients through the rehabilitation process. Trainers need a license to work in most U.S. states, and that requires a bachelor's degree from an accredited athletic training program. According to the National Athletic Trainers Association, 68 percent of athletic trainers have a master's or doctoral degree as well.

In 2008, athletic trainers in the U.S. took home a mean yearly salary of $41,620. Earnings were highest in Rhode Island, Illinois, and Hawaii. In the coming years, trainers can look forward to excellent job prospects, particularly in hospitals and offices of health practitioners.

Fitness Professionals

Fitness professionals work as personal trainers and as group exercise instructors who teach aerobics, strength training, and other conditioning techniques. Some employers prefer candidates with a bachelor's degree in exercise science, physical education, or a related discipline. Fitness workers should also seek certification from an organization that is accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies.

In 2008, the mean yearly salary for fitness workers was $34,310. Wages were highest in New York, Massachusetts, and New Jersey. Employment of fitness workers is expected to increase by 27 percent between 2006 and 2016; that's about twice as fast as the average for all occupations!

Earn an Online Degree in Physical and Health Education

If any of these positions appeal to you but you don't yet have the credentials, consider enrolling in an online degree program. You can earn a degree in the physical and health education field while working on your own time and keeping your current job.