Directors, Religious Activities and Education: Salary, Job Outlook & How to Become One (2026 Parent Guide)

Directors, Religious Activities and Education fall under the Community and Social Service category in the U.S. occupational classification. Directors, Religious Activities and Education earn a median salary of $54,840 per year, ranking in the top 56% of all U.S. occupations. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects +2.1% job growth through 2034, projected to grow slower than the US average. Entry into this field typically requires a bachelor's degree, with specific licensing or certification depending on the state and employer. For parents whose teenager is exploring this path, the most actionable step is mapping the education requirements to specific colleges and majors before junior year — not waiting until application season.

What do directors, religious activities and education earn?

The median annual wage for directors, religious activities and education is $54,840. That puts directors, religious activities and education at #453 on the BLS ranked list of all U.S. occupations by median pay. This salary is around or below the U.S. median for individual workers, so career growth often depends on advancement into supervisory roles, specialization, or additional credentials. Actual pay varies meaningfully by state, employer type, and years of experience — entry-level salaries are typically 30–40% below the median, while top-decile earners often exceed it by 50% or more.

Is directors, religious activities and education a growing career?

The 10-year outlook for directors, religious activities and education is +2.1%, projected to grow slower than the US average. Employment is projected to move from approximately 138K positions in 2024 to 141K in 2034, a net change of 3K. Flat growth typically reflects a mature, stable field. Most openings will come from retirements rather than new positions, which can favor candidates with strong networks and willingness to relocate.

What do directors, religious activities and education do every day?

According to O*NET task surveys of working directors, religious activities and education, these are the core responsibilities most professionals perform. This is what your teen would actually be doing in this role.

1. 1.Identify and recruit potential volunteer workers.
2. 2.Schedule special events, such as camps, conferences, meetings, seminars, or retreats.
3. 3.Implement program plans by ordering needed materials, scheduling speakers, reserving space, or handling other administrative details.
4. 4.Confer with clergy members, congregational officials, or congregational organizations to encourage support of or participation in religious education activities.
5. 5.Analyze member participation or changes in congregational emphasis to determine needs for religious education.
6. 6.Attend workshops, seminars, or conferences to obtain program ideas, information, or resources.
7. 7.Visit congregational members' homes or arrange for pastoral visits to provide information or resources regarding religious education programs.
8. 8.Publicize programs through sources, such as newsletters, bulletins, or mailings.

Top skills for directors, religious activities and education

O*NET ranks these as the most important skills for this occupation, on a 1–5 importance scale derived from worker surveys.

What education does my child need to become directors, religious activities and education?

The standard path into directors, religious activities and education begins with a bachelor's degree in a related field, followed by entry-level experience or internships during college. For parents helping a teen prepare, the highest-leverage step before junior year is identifying colleges and programs that feed reliably into this occupation — Solyo's college search lets parents filter by major and admissions data side by side.

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Common questions parents ask about directors, religious activities and education