Philosophy and Religion Teachers, Postsecondary
SOC code 25-1126 · O*NET-SOC 25-1126.00 · Extensive preparation needed · Education and library
Philosophy and Religion Teachers, Postsecondary pay
U.S. national figures, May 2025 BLS survey · How we got this number
Median pay
$80,260
a year
Hourly
—
per hour
The solid band is the middle 50% of workers; the bar spans the 10th to 90th percentile.
Average pay
$92,040
— per hour
Middle 50%
$62,600 – $104,770
25th to 75th percentile
Full spread
$49,140 – $139,580
10th to 90th percentile
People employed
20,460
nationwide
National U.S. figure, May 2025. Local pay can be higher or lower.
- 10th percentile
- $49,140
- —/hr
- 25th percentile
- $62,600
- —/hr
- Median percentile
- $80,260
- —/hr
- 75th percentile
- $104,770
- —/hr
- 90th percentile
- $139,580
- —/hr
What do philosophy and religion teachers, postsecondary do?
Teach courses in philosophy, religion, and theology. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.
The tasks that matter most day to day
- 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.
How to qualify for this work
Most people in this role hold doctoral degree — 74% of workers surveyed reported it as their level of education.
Preparation level: zone 5 — Extensive preparation needed
- Education
- 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).
- Experience
- Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.
- Training
- Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training.
Education reported by people doing this job
- Doctoral Degree74%
- Master's Degree13%
- Post-Doctoral Training12%
- Post-Master's Certificate1%
Common questions
How much does a philosophy and religion teachers, postsecondary earn?
The national median is $80,260 a year. The full range runs from $49,140 at the 10th percentile to $139,580 at the 90th — entry pay sits closer to the lower figure, and experience, licensing and specialisation move you up the range.
Can you become a philosophy and religion teachers, postsecondary without a degree?
Not usually — this occupation sits in preparation zone 5, where the typical entry route is 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). The education breakdown above shows what people in the role actually reported.
Skills and knowledge you need
Core skills
- Reading Comprehension4.3/5
- Active Listening4.1/5
- Speaking4.1/5
- Writing4.0/5
- Critical Thinking4.0/5
- Learning Strategies3.9/5
- Active Learning3.8/5
Knowledge areas
- Philosophy and Theology4.8/5
- English Language4.6/5
- Education and Training4.2/5
- History and Archeology3.5/5
- Sociology and Anthropology3.1/5
- Law and Government3.0/5
- Computers and Electronics3.0/5
- Communications and Media2.9/5
Transferable strengths: Instructing, Complex Problem Solving, Social Perceptiveness.