Health and Physical Education/Fitness at Salisbury University

Salisbury's Health and Physical Education program starts rough but rebounds impressively. That $29,344 first-year salary—below both state and national medians—jumps to $52,136 by year four, a 78% increase that outpaces typical trajectories in this field. The challenge is surviving those early years while carrying $25,000 in debt.

Here's the Maryland context that matters: this program sits squarely in the middle of the pack for the state, performing identically to UMD-College Park at the median but trailing schools like McDaniel and Bowie State by $5,000-$9,000 annually. For a field where starting salaries hover around $30,000 nationally, this is one of the lower-paying education tracks regardless of where you attend. The debt load is typical—nearly a year's starting salary—which means tight budgets in those critical first years out of college.

The turnaround by year four suggests graduates are moving into coaching, athletic administration, or related roles that pay better than entry-level teaching positions. If your child plans to stay in K-12 physical education, expect the lower end of this range. If they're willing to pursue opportunities beyond the gym—fitness management, corporate wellness, strength and conditioning—the growth trajectory becomes more realistic. The moderate sample size means these numbers are reasonably reliable, though individual outcomes will vary considerably based on career path.