Adapted Physical Education Specialists Salary in Santa Cruz, CA

In the 2025 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS dataset, Adapted Physical Education Specialists in Santa Cruz, CA have a median annual salary of $75,710, with 130 recorded jobs in this area. Recorded earnings range from $45,320 at the 10th percentile to $118,640 at the 90th percentile.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS · Data year: 2025 · Last updated: 2026-09-22

Salary overview

Median annual salary

$75,710

Data year: 2025

Hourly median

Employment

130

Source

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS

Salary distribution

$45,320
10th
$45,320
25th
$75,710
Median
$102,590
75th
$118,640
90th

Local compared with national

Santa Cruz, CA

$75,710

Median annual · 2025

United States

$76,580

Median annual · 2025

The Santa Cruz, CA median is 1.1% below the national median in the available dataset (a difference of $870).

Top skills

  1. 1.InstructingImportance 4.1
  2. 2.Active ListeningImportance 4.0
  3. 3.SpeakingImportance 4.0
  4. 4.Learning StrategiesImportance 4.0
  5. 5.Social PerceptivenessImportance 4.0
  6. 6.Reading ComprehensionImportance 3.9
  7. 7.WritingImportance 3.9
  8. 8.Active LearningImportance 3.9
  9. 9.MonitoringImportance 3.9
  10. 10.Service OrientationImportance 3.9
  11. 11.Critical ThinkingImportance 3.8
  12. 12.CoordinationImportance 3.8

Career information

Education and experience

Experience
Over 1 year, up to and including 2 years
Job zone
4

Technology used

  • Database software
  • Email software
  • Facebook
  • Individualized Educational Program IEP software
  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft Office software
  • Microsoft Outlook
  • Microsoft PowerPoint
  • Microsoft Word
  • Student record software
  • Web browser software

Common tasks

  • 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.

Related careers

Occupations recorded as related in the dataset. A relationship does not imply a guaranteed transition.

Adapted Physical Education Specialists salary in other locations

Other occupations in Santa Cruz, CA