All careers › Directors, Religious Activities and Education
Director of religious activities and education: pay, outlook and how to enter
- $34,670lowest 10% earn less
- $44,01025th percentile
- $52,100median
- $73,73075th percentile
- $98,310top 10% earn more
Directors, religious activities and education earned a median of $52,100 a year in May 2025[1]. BLS projects employment to grow 3.3% from 2025 to 2035[2].
How much do religious activities and education directors make?
The median wage was $52,100 a year, or $25.05 an hour, in May 2025[1]. Half earned more than this and half earned less[1]. The median for all occupations in the US was $50,980[4]. The mean was $62,100 a year, or $29.86 an hour[7].
Pay spread out widely. BLS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary[8]. The lowest-paid 10% earned less than $34,670 a year[3]. The highest-paid 10% earned more than $98,310[3].
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th[3][9] | $34,670 | $16.67 |
| 25th[3][9] | $44,010 | $21.16 |
| Median[1] | $52,100 | $25.05 |
| 75th[3][9] | $73,730 | $35.45 |
| 90th[3][9] | $98,310 | $47.26 |
These figures cover wage and salary workers, part time and full time. They leave out the self-employed and do not count bonuses or benefits[10]. About 22,160 people held these jobs in May 2025[11].
Pay by state and city
Among the 42 states and DC with published data, Alabama had the highest median at $79,310 a year[12]. Texas followed at $75,420, then Georgia at $72,910[12]. Louisiana had the lowest listed median at $29,540[12].
New York had the most jobs at 3,550, followed by California with 3,200, Oregon with 1,860, Florida with 1,420 and Pennsylvania with 1,210[13].
Among metro areas with at least 100 jobs, Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell had the highest median at $93,120[14]. San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont followed at $75,420[14]. The New York-Newark-Jersey City area had the most jobs at 2,940, with a median of $59,170[15].
Show median pay in 42 states and DC
| State | Median per year | Jobs |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama[12] | $79,310 | 90 |
| Texas | $75,420 | 330 |
| Georgia | $72,910 | 320 |
| Nebraska | $72,500 | 40 |
| Colorado | $67,760 | 100 |
| Iowa | $66,140 | 220 |
| New Jersey | $65,730 | n/a |
| North Carolina | $63,280 | 260 |
| Massachusetts | $62,930 | 160 |
| Nevada | $62,460 | 90 |
| Tennessee | $61,940 | 130 |
| District of Columbia | $61,870 | 170 |
| California | $61,570 | 3,200 |
| Virginia | $59,020 | 380 |
| Maryland | $58,820 | 300 |
| Indiana | $58,490 | 670 |
| Arizona | $57,140 | 300 |
| Utah | $56,790 | 50 |
| Washington | $56,480 | 390 |
| Pennsylvania | $55,510 | 1,210 |
| Illinois | $53,600 | n/a |
| South Dakota | $53,360 | 50 |
| Missouri | $52,980 | 60 |
| Kentucky | $52,230 | 250 |
| Minnesota | $50,110 | 760 |
| New York | $49,990 | 3,550 |
| Mississippi | $49,430 | 120 |
| Ohio | $49,340 | 740 |
| Florida | $49,230 | 1,420 |
| New Mexico | $48,240 | 60 |
| Connecticut | $47,850 | 160 |
| Hawaii | $47,590 | 310 |
| Oklahoma | $47,100 | 110 |
| Kansas | $45,640 | 140 |
| Michigan | $45,590 | 950 |
| Oregon | $45,360 | 1,860 |
| Montana | $45,220 | 640 |
| Idaho | $44,990 | 40 |
| Rhode Island | $44,770 | 120 |
| Wisconsin | $40,180 | 130 |
| South Carolina | $36,120 | 170 |
| Arkansas | $33,920 | 140 |
| Louisiana | $29,540 | n/a |
How to enter this job
- First: earn a bachelor's degree. That is the typical education for entry[6].
- Next: gain related work experience. The typical path calls for less than 5 years[6].
- Then: start working. The typical path has no on-the-job training[6].
In an O*NET survey of 19 workers, 54% said a bachelor's degree is required[16]. Another 21% named a post-secondary certificate, 14% an associate's or other 2-year degree and 9% a master's degree[16]. The survey is small, so treat these shares as a rough guide.
O*NET places the job in Job Zone Four, which means considerable preparation[17].
What these directors do
O*NET describes the work as coordinating programs and outreach to support a denominational group's religious education and activities[18]. It may also include counseling on marital, health, financial and religious problems[18]. Tasks include:
- Developing or directing study courses and religious education programs in congregations[19].
- Finding and recruiting volunteers[19].
- Choosing curricula or class structures[19].
- Scheduling events such as camps, conferences and retreats[19].
- Counseling individuals on interpersonal, health, financial or religious problems[19].
- Training and supervising teaching staff[19].
- Handling details such as ordering materials and reserving space[19].
- Studying costs and revenue to set budget priorities[19].
Workers reported job titles such as Children's Ministries Director, Christian Education Director and Campus Ministries Director[20].
Job outlook
BLS projects employment to grow 3.3% from 2025 to 2035, from about 141,900 jobs to 146,600[2]. These counts include self-employed workers, and 0.7% were self-employed in 2025[2][21]. Employment in all occupations is projected to grow 3.5%[22].
About 13,000 openings are projected each year[5]. Openings include jobs that come open when people retire or move to other work, not only new jobs[5]. Each year, 3.8% of workers leave the labor force and 4.9% move to a different occupation[23].
Is it a good fit?
Median pay is close to the all-occupations median, and the range is wide[1][3][4]. The typical entry path needs a bachelor's degree and less than 5 years of related experience[6]. Growth of 3.3% is close to the 3.5% projected for all occupations[2][22]. The job suits people who like organizing programs, recruiting volunteers and counseling[19].
Frequently asked questions
- How much does a religious activities director make an hour?
- The median was $25.05 an hour in May 2025[1]. The 10th percentile was $16.67 and the 90th was $47.26[9].
- What degree do you need for this job?
- BLS lists a bachelor's degree as the typical entry education[6]. In an O*NET survey of 19 workers, 54% said a bachelor's degree is required[16].
- Is this job in demand?
- BLS projects 3.3% growth from 2025 to 2035[2]. About 13,000 openings a year are projected[5].
- What is the highest paying state for this job?
- Alabama had the highest median at $79,310 a year in May 2025[12].
Facts and sources
- BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median wage for Directors, Religious Activities and Education in the US was $52,100 per year and $25.05 per hour. Half of workers earned more and half earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS Employment Projections: employment of Directors, Religious Activities and Education is projected to grow 3.3% from 2025 to 2035, from about 141,900 to 146,600 jobs (a change of +4,700). These counts include self-employed workers. BLS Employment Projections
- BLS OEWS, May 2025, annual wage percentiles for Directors, Religious Activities and Education: 10th percentile $34,670, 25th percentile $44,010, 75th percentile $73,730, 90th percentile $98,310. The 10th percentile means 10% of workers earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median annual wage for all occupations in the US was $50,980. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS Employment Projections: about 13,000 openings for Directors, Religious Activities and Education are projected each year, on average, from 2025 to 2035. Openings include jobs that open when workers retire or move to other occupations, not only new jobs. BLS Employment Projections
- BLS Employment Projections, typical path into Directors, Religious Activities and Education: education needed for entry: Bachelor's degree; work experience in a related occupation: Less than 5 years; typical on-the-job training: None. BLS Employment Projections
- BLS OEWS, May 2025: the mean (average) wage for Directors, Religious Activities and Education was $62,100 per year and $29.86 per hour. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS FAQ: a percentile wage is a boundary. The median (50th percentile) separates the highest-paid 50% from the lowest-paid 50% of workers in the occupation. OEWS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025, hourly wage percentiles for Directors, Religious Activities and Education: 10th percentile $16.67, 25th percentile $21.16, 75th percentile $35.45, 90th percentile $47.26. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS FAQ: OEWS covers part-time and full-time workers paid a wage or salary. It does not cover the self-employed, owners and partners in unincorporated firms, household workers or unpaid family workers. OEWS wages do not include nonproduction bonuses or employer costs of benefits such as health insurance or retirement contributions. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025: about 22,160 people were employed as Directors, Religious Activities and Education in the US (wage and salary jobs, not counting self-employed workers). BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Median annual wage for Directors, Religious Activities and Education in every state with published data, May 2025 (table on this page). BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025, states with the most Directors, Religious Activities and Education jobs: New York 3,550; California 3,200; Oregon 1,860; Florida 1,420; Pennsylvania 1,210. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the highest median annual wage for Directors, Religious Activities and Education (areas with at least 100 jobs): Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA $93,120; San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $75,420; San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA $63,450; Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA $62,390; Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV $60,650; Fresno, CA $59,720; Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD $59,320; New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ $59,170. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the most Directors, Religious Activities and Education jobs: New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ 2,940 (median $59,170); Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA 1,270 (median $62,390); Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA 1,100 (median $46,110); Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL 490 (median $51,540); Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD 480 (median $59,320); Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV 480 (median $60,650). BLS OEWS, May 2025
- O*NET 21-2021.00 survey of workers (19 respondents), education level they say is required: Bachelor's Degree 54%, Post-Secondary Certificate 21%, Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree 14%, Master's Degree 9% (levels under 5% not listed). O*NET OnLine
- O*NET 21-2021.00: Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed. A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified. O*NET OnLine
- O*NET description of Directors, Religious Activities and Education. O*NET OnLine
- O*NET task list for Directors, Religious Activities and Education. O*NET OnLine
- O*NET 21-2021.00 sample job titles reported by workers: Adult Ministries Director, Campus Ministries Director, Children's Ministries Director, Christian Education Director, Religious Education Coordinator, Religious Education Director, Senior Adults Director, Women's Ministries Director. O*NET OnLine
- BLS Employment Projections: 0.7% of Directors, Religious Activities and Education were self-employed in 2025. BLS Employment Projections
- BLS Employment Projections: employment in all occupations is projected to grow 3.5% from 2025 to 2035. BLS Employment Projections
- BLS Employment Projections, 2025-35 annual average for Directors, Religious Activities and Education: 3.8% of workers leave the labor force each year and 4.9% move to a different occupation. BLS Employment Projections
- Related occupations (O*NET) with BLS pay, growth and entry education. O*NET OnLine
This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerFacts has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.