Kinesiology and Physical Education
Parks, Recreation & Fitness · federal classification: Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness
Median earnings by degree level
| Degree | Median earnings | Typical range | Schools | Clear the bar |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma | $36,241 | $24,910 to $39,693 | 13 | 54% |
| Associate's Degree | $41,196 | $36,581 to $48,569 | 32 | 78% |
| Bachelor's Degree | $52,978 | $47,728 to $58,005 | 639 | 96% |
| Master's Degree | $58,988 | $53,370 to $64,512 | 196 | 99% |
"Clear the bar" is the share of programs whose graduates out-earn a typical high-school graduate (the federal earnings-premium test). Typical range is the 25th to 75th percentile of program medians.
Job outlook
Projected employment growth +8% (2024 to 2034), about 128,800 openings a year across the occupations this field commonly leads to.
| Occupation | Median pay | Growth | Openings/yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors | $46,180 | +11.9% | 74,200 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $45,920 | +6.4% | 41,800 |
| Entertainment and Recreation Managers, Except Gambling | $77,180 | +7.7% | 5,500 |
| Athletic Trainers | $60,250 | +11.1% | 2,400 |
| Athletes and Sports Competitors | $62,360 | +5.5% | 2,100 |
| Exercise Physiologists | $58,160 | +9.5% | 1,700 |
Occupation pay and outlook: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OEWS wages, Employment Projections). A field maps to several occupations, and the same occupations serve many majors, so these are the jobs this major commonly leads to, not positions reserved for its graduates; the openings should not be added up across majors.
Earnings source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (release 2026-06-10), median earnings of graduates measured up to four years after completing. Figures describe past graduates and are never a promise. Method: methodology. Report an error.