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Mathematical Science Teachers, Postsecondary vs Recreation and Fitness Studies Teachers, Postsecondary: what changes?

Consider Mathematical Science Teachers, Postsecondary if you want to teach courses pertaining to mathematical concepts, statistics, and actuarial science and to the application of original and standardized mathematical techniques in solving specific problems and situations. Consider Recreation and Fitness Studies Teachers, Postsecondary if you would rather teach courses pertaining to recreation, leisure, and fitness studies, including exercise physiology and facilities management. Both list doctoral or professional degree; compare training and prior experience separately.

Try this next: Compare three local entry-level postings for Mathematical Science Teachers, Postsecondary and Recreation and Fitness Studies Teachers, Postsecondary. List the duties, credentials, prior experience, and paid training each employer actually asks for. Try a supervised class or sample project from each field before choosing a program.

BLS 2025 wages and 2025–2035 projections. National medians are not starting offers. Occupation size is not a count of vacancies. View the BLS data.

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What this means in practice

The facts most likely to affect your decision

Start with earnings, the route into the job, training, available openings, and a day-to-day reality.

Mathematical Science Teachers, Postsecondary

National median pay (2025)
$79,940
Route into the job
Doctoral or professional degree
Prior related experience
No prior related occupation is typically required; employer requirements vary.
Training and licensing
BLS does not list a separate on-the-job training requirement. Employers may still provide orientation and role-specific training.
Work to investigate
Compile, administer, and grade examinations, or assign this work to others.
Annual openings (2025–2035)
3,900
Know before you choose

Review the full career brief for day-to-day working conditions.

See the full Mathematical Science Teachers, Postsecondary brief

Recreation and Fitness Studies Teachers, Postsecondary

National median pay (2025)
$77,270
Route into the job
Doctoral or professional degree
Prior related experience
No prior related occupation is typically required; employer requirements vary.
Training and licensing
BLS does not list a separate on-the-job training requirement. Employers may still provide orientation and role-specific training.
Work to investigate
Initiate, facilitate, and moderate classroom discussions.
Annual openings (2025–2035)
1,000
Know before you choose

This is a small national occupation (15,200 jobs in 2025), so location and employer concentration can matter more than the national median suggests.

See the full Recreation and Fitness Studies Teachers, Postsecondary brief
See scores, detailed data, and how the comparison works

How the national numbers differ

1

Mathematical Science Teachers, Postsecondary has the edge on annual openings

Mathematical Science Teachers, Postsecondary is at 3,900 annual openings, compared with 1,000 annual openings for Recreation and Fitness Studies Teachers, Postsecondary.

2

Mathematical Science Teachers, Postsecondary has the edge on median pay

Mathematical Science Teachers, Postsecondary is at $79,940, compared with $77,270 for Recreation and Fitness Studies Teachers, Postsecondary.

3

Recreation and Fitness Studies Teachers, Postsecondary has the edge on projected growth

Recreation and Fitness Studies Teachers, Postsecondary is at 2.2% projected growth, compared with 1.7% projected growth for Mathematical Science Teachers, Postsecondary.

46.8/ 100

Mathematical Science Teachers, Postsecondary

vs
37.9/ 100

Recreation and Fitness Studies Teachers, Postsecondary

Each available metric is ranked from 0 to 100 against the careers on ChooseField. The weighted average uses this profile: pay 30%, growth 25%, openings 30%, preparation level 15%. Missing values are not scored as zero; their weights are redistributed across available metrics. Occupation size has zero weight: employment is not accessible vacancies. Preparation categories do not measure admission difficulty or years without earnings. The score summarizes national measures; local opportunities and personal fit still need separate consideration.

Detailed evidence

Mathematical Science Teachers, Postsecondary vs Recreation and Fitness Studies Teachers, Postsecondary

DimensionMathematical Science Teachers, PostsecondaryRecreation and Fitness Studies Teachers, Postsecondary
Median pay (2025)$79,940$77,270
Pay percentile72.2 percentile67.9 percentile
Projected growth (2025–2035)1.7%2.2%
Annual openings (2025–2035)3,9001,000
2025 employment57,10015,200
How you qualifyDoctoral or professional degreeDoctoral or professional degree
O*NET preparation groupJob Zone 5Job Zone 5
Related work experienceNo prior related occupation is typically required; employer requirements vary.No prior related occupation is typically required; employer requirements vary.
On-the-job trainingBLS does not list a separate on-the-job training requirement. Employers may still provide orientation and role-specific training.BLS does not list a separate on-the-job training requirement. Employers may still provide orientation and role-specific training.

The table reports national benchmarks and reviewed work descriptions. It does not rate personal suitability, job security, or physical safety.

Read Mathematical Science Teachers, Postsecondary briefRead Recreation and Fitness Studies Teachers, Postsecondary brief

Try another comparison

Mathematical Science Teachers, Postsecondary vs Family and Consumer Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary

Compare pay, growth, education, and the tradeoffs that affect the decision.

Mathematical Science Teachers, Postsecondary
$79,940 · 1.7% growth
Family and Consumer Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary
$75,870 · 2.4% growth
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Mathematical Science Teachers, Postsecondary vs Computer Science Teachers, Postsecondary

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Mathematical Science Teachers, Postsecondary
$79,940 · 1.7% growth
Computer Science Teachers, Postsecondary
$96,980 · 4.9% growth
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Recreation and Fitness Studies Teachers, Postsecondary vs Communications Teachers, Postsecondary

Compare pay, growth, education, and the tradeoffs that affect the decision.

Recreation and Fitness Studies Teachers, Postsecondary
$77,270 · 2.2% growth
Communications Teachers, Postsecondary
$78,580 · 2.1% growth
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Recreation and Fitness Studies Teachers, Postsecondary vs Family and Consumer Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary

Compare pay, growth, education, and the tradeoffs that affect the decision.

Recreation and Fitness Studies Teachers, Postsecondary
$77,270 · 2.2% growth
Family and Consumer Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary
$75,870 · 2.4% growth
Compare careers →
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