Philosophy and religion teachers, postsecondary salary
| Measure | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $49,140 | Data unavailable |
| Median (50th percentile) | $80,260 | Data unavailable |
| Mean (average) | $92,040 | Data unavailable |
| 90th percentile | $139,580 | Data unavailable |
BLS publishes only annual wages for this occupation because workers are typically paid on an annual basis rather than hourly.
These wages describe everyone employed in the occupation, from new entrants to experienced workers. They are not starting salaries and not earnings of graduates from any particular program. Verified data
Philosophy and religion teachers, postsecondary pay by state and metro area
Table: median wage and employment for all 44 states and territories
| State | Median | 10th pct | 90th pct | Employment | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $62,210 | $46,760 | $96,030 | 280 | 1.02 |
| Arizona | $78,940 | $48,530 | $133,980 | 350 | 0.83 |
| Arkansas | $74,100 | $66,080 | $78,840 | 60 | 0.37 |
| California | $105,820 | $75,070 | $206,110 | 1,850 | 0.77 |
| Colorado | $78,060 | $30,800 | $128,820 | 390 | 1.04 |
| Connecticut | $100,360 | $58,480 | $208,960 | 350 | 1.55 |
| District of Columbia | $79,310 | $50,100 | $131,320 | 290 | 3.19 |
| Florida | $63,330 | $39,190 | $101,770 | 460 | 0.36 |
| Georgia | $77,570 | $25,710 | $132,210 | 280 | 0.43 |
| Hawaii | $101,010 | $64,060 | $166,970 | 220 | 2.66 |
| Idaho | Data unavailable | 120 | 1.1 | ||
| Illinois | $77,720 | $45,800 | $124,160 | 1,080 | 1.34 |
| Indiana | $79,740 | $50,930 | $133,690 | 480 | 1.15 |
| Iowa | $77,180 | $47,540 | $126,550 | 260 | 1.28 |
| Kansas | $65,410 | $46,010 | $132,340 | 190 | 0.99 |
| Kentucky | $65,580 | $37,860 | $97,090 | 320 | 1.22 |
| Louisiana | $76,310 | $50,050 | $125,750 | 70 | 0.28 |
| Maine | $102,760 | $67,580 | $161,740 | 60 | 0.73 |
| Maryland | $78,360 | $48,120 | $134,480 | 480 | 1.33 |
| Massachusetts | $98,360 | $51,620 | $173,280 | 890 | 1.86 |
| Michigan | $89,610 | $52,130 | $133,470 | 620 | 1.07 |
| Minnesota | $79,720 | $48,450 | $127,100 | 410 | 1.06 |
| Mississippi | $63,560 | $36,300 | $97,590 | 90 | 0.62 |
| Missouri | $75,280 | $46,590 | $119,650 | 320 | 0.83 |
| Nebraska | $75,280 | $58,350 | $100,020 | 80 | 0.56 |
| New Hampshire | $82,820 | $49,820 | $154,440 | 130 | 1.42 |
| New Jersey | $99,450 | $50,450 | $213,590 | 900 | 1.59 |
| New York | $92,050 | $57,800 | $165,380 | 1,700 | 1.34 |
| North Carolina | $76,340 | $47,100 | $136,810 | 680 | 1.05 |
| North Dakota | $71,360 | $50,610 | $115,280 | ||
| Ohio | $77,010 | $45,090 | $125,160 | 780 | 1.06 |
| Oklahoma | $64,840 | $37,610 | $108,920 | 150 | 0.65 |
| Oregon | $85,300 | $39,880 | $126,430 | 480 | 1.86 |
| Pennsylvania | $76,600 | $48,660 | $127,680 | 1,280 | 1.61 |
| Rhode Island | $82,510 | $49,660 | $132,570 | 150 | 2.32 |
| South Carolina | $77,230 | $57,490 | $102,310 | 250 | 0.82 |
| South Dakota | $58,000 | $41,480 | $82,160 | 40 | 0.69 |
| Tennessee | $74,090 | $59,080 | $121,200 | 490 | 1.13 |
| Texas | $76,700 | $48,640 | $126,570 | 1,760 | 0.95 |
| Utah | $95,410 | $62,520 | $159,250 | 60 | 0.24 |
| Vermont | $102,600 | $62,230 | $131,580 | 80 | 1.89 |
| Virginia | $85,310 | $45,240 | $137,590 | 620 | 1.15 |
| Washington | $81,240 | $57,550 | $122,390 | 330 | 0.7 |
| Wisconsin | $79,140 | $55,650 | $128,630 | 420 | 1.08 |
A location quotient above 1 means the occupation is more concentrated in that state than in the nation overall.
Metro areas with the most jobs
Highest paying metro areas
Job outlook for philosophy and religion teachers, postsecondary
- Average annual openings, 2025 to 2035: 1,800. Openings include new jobs plus replacement needs when workers retire or leave the occupation. Official projection
- Share of workers who are self-employed (2025): 0.4%.
- Read the official BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook profile.
These are official BLS projections. ConnectPrep does not alter them or present its own forecasts as official statistics.
Education and training for philosophy and religion teachers, postsecondary
- Typical entry education
- Doctoral or professional degree
- Related work experience
- None
- On-the-job training
- None
- O*NET Job Zone
- Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed
Highest education of people working in this occupation
O*NET describes this preparation level as: Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).
Degrees and programs that lead to this career
Programs officially mapped to this occupation in the NCES and BLS CIP to SOC crosswalk. A mapping means the program commonly prepares students for the occupation, not that every graduate works in it. Official crosswalk
- Philosophy, Politics, and Economics CIP 30.5101
- Philosophy and Religious Studies, General CIP 38.0001
- Philosophy CIP 38.0101
- Ethics CIP 38.0103
- Applied and Professional Ethics CIP 38.0104
- Philosophy, Other CIP 38.0199
- Religion/Religious Studies CIP 38.0201
- Buddhist Studies CIP 38.0202
- Christian Studies CIP 38.0203
- Hindu Studies CIP 38.0204
- Talmudic Studies CIP 38.0207
- Philosophy and Religious Studies, Other CIP 38.9999
- Bible/Biblical Studies CIP 39.0201
- Missions/Missionary Studies CIP 39.0301
- Religious Education CIP 39.0401
- Religious/Sacred Music CIP 39.0501
- Worship Ministry CIP 39.0502
- Theology/Theological Studies CIP 39.0601
- Divinity/Ministry CIP 39.0602
- Pre-Theology/Pre-Ministerial Studies CIP 39.0604
- Rabbinical Studies CIP 39.0605
- Theological and Ministerial Studies, Other CIP 39.0699
- Pastoral Studies/Counseling CIP 39.0701
- Urban Ministry CIP 39.0703
- Chaplain/Chaplaincy Studies CIP 39.0706
- Religious/Canon Law CIP 39.0802
- Bioethics/Medical Ethics CIP 51.3201
Skills, knowledge, and daily work
Most important skills
Most important knowledge areas
Typical tasks
- Evaluate and grade students' class work, assignments, and papers.
- Initiate, facilitate, and moderate classroom discussions.
- Prepare and deliver lectures to undergraduate or graduate students and the community on topics such as ethics, logic, and contemporary religious thought.
- Compile, administer, and grade examinations, or assign this work to others.
- Prepare course materials, such as syllabi, homework assignments, and handouts.
- Keep abreast of developments in the field by reading current literature, talking with colleagues, and participating in professional conferences.
- Maintain student attendance records, grades, and other required records.
- Write articles and books.
Technology skills
- Learning management system LMS (in demand)
- Google Docs (hot technology)
- Microsoft Excel (hot technology)
- Microsoft Office software (hot technology)
- Microsoft Outlook (hot technology)
- Microsoft PowerPoint (hot technology)
- Microsoft Word (hot technology)
- Blackboard Learn
- Collaborative editing software
- Course management system software
- DOC Cop
- Desire2Learn LMS software
- Email software
- Gateway to Logic
- Image scanning software
- InteLext Past Masters
Transferable skills for career changers: Instructing, Complex Problem Solving, Social Perceptiveness, Judgment and Decision Making, Systems Evaluation, Coordination.
Common job titles: Assistant Professor, Associate Professor, Humanities Professor, Instructor, Philosophy Instructor, Philosophy Professor, Professor, Religion Professor, Religious Studies Professor, Theology Professor.
Is it worth it? Model the cost of getting there
Use the ROI calculator to compare the cost of the education this career usually requires against staying on your current path. It starts from the official wage distribution above, and you can change every assumption.
Frequently asked questions
How much do philosophy and religion teachers, postsecondary make?
The national median annual wage for philosophy and religion teachers, postsecondary was $80,260 in May 2025, according to the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program. The lowest paid 10 percent earned less than $49,140 and the highest paid 10 percent earned more than $139,580. These figures cover all workers in the occupation, not only new entrants.
What education do philosophy and religion teachers, postsecondary need?
BLS lists doctoral or professional degree as the typical education needed to enter this occupation, with none of related work experience and none on-the-job training typically needed to become competent.
Is philosophy and religion teachers, postsecondary a growing career?
BLS projects employment of philosophy and religion teachers, postsecondary to change +2.0% from 2025 to 2035, compared with +3.5% for all occupations. About 1,800 openings are projected each year on average, including openings from workers who retire or change occupations.
Which states pay philosophy and religion teachers, postsecondary the most?
By median annual wage in May 2025, the highest paying states were California ($105,820), Maine ($102,760), Vermont ($102,600). Pay differences partly reflect differences in living costs.