Philosophy and Religion Teachers, Postsecondary: Salary, Job Outlook & How to Become One (2026 Parent Guide)

Philosophy and Religion Teachers, Postsecondary fall under the Education, Training, and Library category in the U.S. occupational classification. Philosophy and Religion Teachers, Postsecondary earn a median salary of $78,050 per year, ranking in the top 26% of all U.S. occupations. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects +0.7% 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 philosophy and religion teachers, postsecondary earn?

The median annual wage for philosophy and religion teachers, postsecondary is $78,050. That puts philosophy and religion teachers, postsecondary at #213 on the BLS ranked list of all U.S. occupations by median pay. This salary is above the U.S. median for individual workers and reflects a stable, credentialed occupation. 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 philosophy and religion teachers, postsecondary a growing career?

The 10-year outlook for philosophy and religion teachers, postsecondary is +0.7%, projected to grow slower than the US average. Employment is projected to move from approximately 27K positions in 2024 to 27K in 2034, a net change of 0K. 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 philosophy and religion teachers, postsecondary do every day?

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

1. 1.Write articles and books.
2. 2.Advise students on academic and vocational curricula and on career issues.
3. 3.Select and obtain materials and supplies, such as textbooks.
4. 4.Participate in campus and community events.
5. 5.Prepare and deliver lectures to undergraduate or graduate students and the community on topics such as ethics, logic, and contemporary religious thought.
6. 6.Maintain student attendance records, grades, and other required records.
7. 7.Perform administrative duties, such as serving as department head.
8. 8.Conduct research in a particular field of knowledge and publish findings in professional journals, books, or electronic media.

Top skills for philosophy and religion teachers, postsecondary

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 philosophy and religion teachers, postsecondary?

The standard path into philosophy and religion teachers, postsecondary 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 philosophy and religion teachers, postsecondary