by our College Data Analytics TeamIf you enjoy working out and helping other get into shape, consider majoring in Health and Physical Education/Fitness.
In this major you will get to take classes in exercise science, biology, anatomy, physical education, nutrition, exercise techniques, and injury prevention. These classes will prepare you to teach others proper exercise and nutrition, monitor gym facilities, teach physical education classes, and improve athletic performance. A degree in this field allows students to work in a relaxed environment while improving the health and lifestyle of others.
While the general Health and Physical Education/Fitness major will allow students to learn about the field as a whole, some may decide they want to focus on a specific aspect of health and fitness. Areas of specialization available to students are Sport and Fitness Administration and Management, Kinesiology and Exercise Science, Physical Fitness Technician, and Sports Studies.
Studying Health & Physical Education involves the study of Sports, Kinesiology, And Physical Education/fitness. Continue reading for the important information every health & physical education major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering health & physical education programs.
Nationwide, health & physical education is a widely-pursued major, with 65,261 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Health & Physical Education Schools ranking analyzes these 1,318 schools to determine the best overall colleges for health & physical education students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of health & physical education programs later in this article.
Programs in Health & Physical Education build a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations health & physical education graduates commonly enter.
Students in Health and Physical Education will have to work closely with others, making interpersonal skills extremely important. Trainers and other health professionals must have the customer service skills to sell their services to new customers as well as retain those they already work with. Listening and problem solving skills will help professionals listen to the issues and goals of clients and develop health and exercise plans to help them meet those goals.
Health and Physical Education professionals work full time in varying environments. Those who pursue Physical Education often work in a school setting, while trainers and fitness technicians are employed in gyms or recreation centers. Some graduates work as personal trainers and may travel to clients' homes.
Summer jobs and internships will allow students to work in the field as fitness class instructors or other lower level employees. This experience will allow students to work in the field and decide if they wish to make it a career.
Along with a degree in Health and Physical Education/Fitness, professionals must also be certified in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). While some employers will provide this training, graduates who already have the certification will be more competitive in the job market.
The skill set developed in a health & physical education program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
According to O*NET, a health & physical education major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several health & physical education degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 452 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 5,729 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 48,417 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 10,125 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 313 |
People currently working in careers related to health & physical education tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 35.2% |
| Doctoral degree | 28.3% |
| Master’s degree | 25.2% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 3.3% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 3.1% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 2.5% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 1.1% |
| Some college courses | 0.8% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 0.4% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in health & physical education careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Health and Physical Education/Fitness graduates have found jobs in a variety of locations from recreation centers and gyms to schools, resorts, health clubs, and hospitals. Since graduates have the skills to personalize fitness programs, some have decided to become self-employed.
Many people are beginning to understand the importance of health and fitness, causing an increased demand for professionals in this field.
Studying health & physical education prepares you for many career paths. These are some of the most common occupations related to health & physical education.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to health & physical education.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Exercise Physiologists | 1,771,772 | 1.7% |
| Recreation and Fitness Studies Teachers, Postsecondary | 596,959 | 11.6% |
| Coaches and Scouts | 332,603 | -0.5% |
| Athletic Trainers | 316,011 | -0.3% |
| Athletes and Sports Competitors | 244,456 | 7.1% |
| Entertainment and Recreation Managers, Except Gambling | 141,428 | 4.2% |
| Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors | 35,993 | -1.5% |
Federal data tracks median earnings of health & physical education graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Earnings tend to climb as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $34,425 |
| 4 years | $47,075 |
| 5 years | $55,516 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for health & physical education graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers health & physical education grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Entertainment and Recreation Managers, Except Gambling | $170,172 |
| Exercise Physiologists | $144,072 |
| Recreation and Fitness Studies Teachers, Postsecondary | $84,688 |
| Athletic Trainers | $79,834 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $78,709 |
| Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors | $54,441 |
| Athletes and Sports Competitors | $39,714 |
With 1,318 different health & physical education programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased health & physical education school rankings to help you.
If you are interested in health & physical education, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Exercise Science and Kinesiology | 32,041 |
| Sport and Fitness Administration/Management | 17,472 |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness, General | 12,633 |
| Physical Fitness Technician | 1,308 |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness, Other | 1,200 |
| Sports Studies | 607 |
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Facilities Management | 2,291 |
| Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Studies | 2,155 |
| Parks, Recreation, Leisure, Fitness, and Kinesiology, Other | 355 |
| Outdoor Education | 336 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
