Recreation and Fitness Studies Teachers, Postsecondary Salary
Recreation and Fitness Studies Teachers, Postsecondary earn a median $77,270 a year nationally. Educational Instruction and Library Occupations
U.S. median
$77,270
$37.15 per hour
Range
$44,900 – $134,890
10th to 90th percentile
Employed
12,630
across the U.S.
▲1.8%
Pay trend: The median for recreation and fitness studies teachers, postsecondary in the U.S. rose from $75,890 (May 2024) to $77,270 (May 2025). That trailed inflation (2.4%), so buying power slipped about 0.6%.
What recreation and fitness studies teachers, postsecondary do
Teach courses pertaining to recreation, leisure, and fitness studies, including exercise physiology and facilities management.
- Typical education
- Doctoral or professional degree
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- None
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +2.2% (about average)
- Openings per year
- 1,000
Employment of recreation and fitness studies teachers, postsecondary is projected to grow 2.2% from 2025 to 2035, about the same as the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 1,000 openings are expected each year, on average, including jobs left by workers who retire or switch careers.
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Recreation and Fitness Studies Teachers, Postsecondary take-home pay calculator
Starts at the national median. Pick your state to see your real paycheck.
Your take-home pay
$63,189
per year · effective tax rate 18.2%
$5,266Monthly
$2,633Twice a month
$2,430Every 2 weeks
$30.38Hourly
- Federal income tax$8,169
- Social Security (6.2%)$4,791
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,120
- Texas income tax$0
- Take-home pay$63,189
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 0.00% state
Pay by experience
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home (no state tax) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $44,900 | $21.59 | $38,257 |
| 25th percentile | $59,990 | $28.84 | $50,382 |
| Median (50th) | $77,270 | $37.15 | $63,189 |
| 75th percentile | $101,450 | $48.77 | $80,200 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $134,890 | $64.85 | $103,463 |
Recreation and Fitness Studies Teachers, Postsecondary salary by state
| State | Median | 1-yr change | Take-home | Range | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| California | $127,780 | −2.0% | $89,289 | $59,970 – $210,140 | 1,950 |
| Maryland | $97,640 | +20.4% | $73,245 | $58,690 – $167,340 | 90 |
| Massachusetts | $87,960 | +9.6% | $66,532 | $62,270 – $140,280 | 290 |
| Michigan | $83,690 | +4.2% | $64,400 | $50,680 – $173,460 | 320 |
| Wyoming | $83,260 | +27.2% | $67,403 | $59,340 – $98,480 | 30 |
| Pennsylvania | $83,150 | +14.9% | $64,773 | $50,680 – $125,260 | 640 |
| Wisconsin | $80,500 | +23.7% | $62,576 | $62,640 – $92,460 | 40 |
| Minnesota | $80,410 | +4.3% | $61,454 | $50,390 – $125,420 | 260 |
| New York | $80,190 | −3.1% | $61,510 | $40,100 – $158,460 | 670 |
| Connecticut | $79,200 | +11.3% | $61,766 | $47,540 – $106,260 | 190 |
| New Mexico | $79,090 | +5.2% | $61,918 | $55,430 – $96,220 | 40 |
| South Carolina | $78,800 | +0.7% | $60,695 | $50,290 – $128,760 | 280 |
| Texas | $76,480 | +1.2% | $62,634 | $38,200 – $123,750 | 1,460 |
| Utah | $76,350 | +36.9% | $60,072 | $49,030 – $103,790 | 110 |
| Florida | $76,100 | +11.7% | $62,366 | $46,140 – $125,260 | 140 |
| Iowa | $75,130 | +17.0% | $59,481 | $33,780 – $134,640 | 100 |
| Washington | $74,850 | +12.0% | $61,487 | $58,370 – $103,710 | 240 |
| North Carolina | $73,860 | +16.4% | $58,352 | $49,830 – $103,680 | 730 |
| Tennessee | $73,280 | −7.7% | $60,382 | $50,790 – $99,940 | 220 |
| Missouri | $73,180 | −4.8% | $57,810 | $49,030 – $102,760 | 200 |
| Alabama | $72,680 | +9.7% | $56,591 | $50,700 – $89,920 | 110 |
| Arizona | $71,230 | −24.8% | $57,368 | $48,960 – $133,920 | 90 |
| Ohio | $70,260 | +15.0% | $57,108 | $41,490 – $101,460 | 420 |
| Maine | $67,670 | +4.2% | $53,050 | $63,630 – $105,550 | 40 |
| Illinois | $67,180 | −11.4% | $52,911 | $43,970 – $126,950 | 630 |
| Indiana | $67,060 | +4.8% | $54,058 | $39,930 – $104,730 | 410 |
| West Virginia | $66,440 | +3.1% | $53,297 | $47,000 – $98,490 | 100 |
| Georgia | $66,410 | +5.0% | $52,717 | $40,320 – $106,740 | 160 |
| Louisiana | $65,940 | +3.8% | $53,571 | $37,160 – $105,360 | 100 |
| New Jersey | $65,900 | −5.2% | $53,037 | $51,170 – $103,630 | 520 |
| Colorado | $65,730 | +5.1% | $52,810 | $30,800 – $103,270 | 180 |
| Virginia | $65,320 | +12.8% | $51,723 | $49,630 – $104,370 | 310 |
| Kentucky | $64,890 | +2.7% | $52,166 | $40,390 – $102,850 | 230 |
| Oklahoma | $63,590 | −8.2% | $50,959 | $41,300 – $135,880 | 110 |
| Oregon | $63,090 | −16.1% | $48,182 | $35,940 – $130,890 | 480 |
| Arkansas | $63,020 | +2.5% | $50,572 | $50,590 – $79,680 | 110 |
| South Dakota | $62,280 | +3.8% | $52,222 | $51,630 – $73,820 | 60 |
| Mississippi | $60,560 | −5.6% | $49,150 | $30,860 – $95,460 | 190 |
| Kansas | $59,730 | +1.1% | $47,640 | $47,240 – $106,990 | 60 |
| Idaho | $58,720 | −28.6% | $47,358 | $48,500 – $134,850 | 70 |
| Alaska | $58,330 | — | $49,048 | $46,690 – $91,260 | 60 |
Related jobs
| Job | Median salary | Education | Growth 2025–35 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Postsecondary Teachers, All Other | $77,640 | Doctoral or professional degree | +2.0% |
| Family and Consumer Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary | $75,870 | Doctoral or professional degree | +2.4% |
| Career/Technical Education Teachers, Postsecondary | $63,820 | Bachelor's degree | -0.3% |
| Social Work Teachers, Postsecondary | $77,570 | Doctoral or professional degree | +2.6% |
| Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement Teachers, Postsecondary | $76,590 | Doctoral or professional degree | +1.5% |
| Communications Teachers, Postsecondary | $78,580 | Doctoral or professional degree | +2.1% |
| Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary | $78,620 | Master's degree | +2.2% |
| English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary | $78,760 | Doctoral or professional degree | 0.0% |
| Education Teachers, Postsecondary | $75,350 | Doctoral or professional degree | +2.5% |
| Foreign Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary | $79,350 | Doctoral or professional degree | +0.2% |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a recreation and fitness studies teachers, postsecondary make?
The national median salary for recreation and fitness studies teachers, postsecondary is $77,270 a year ($37.15 an hour). The lowest-paid 10% earn under $44,900 and the top 10% earn over $134,890. Source: BLS, May 2025.
Which state pays recreation and fitness studies teachers, postsecondary the most?
California has the highest median pay at $127,780.
How many recreation and fitness studies teachers, postsecondary are there in the U.S.?
About 12,630 people work as recreation and fitness studies teachers, postsecondary nationwide.