Compensation
Median Pay
$80,260
National median annual wage for this occupation.
National Career Overview
Philosophy and religion teachers, postsecondary
Explore national salary, projected growth, education requirements, and career opportunities across the United States.
National Median Pay
$80,260
Projected Growth
0.7%
Annual Openings
2,000
Career outlook
National Snapshot
A concise view of this occupation’s national scale, compensation, and projected demand.
National
Employment
27,300
Estimated jobs currently supported nationwide.
Outlook
Projected Growth
0.7%
Projected employment change through 2034.
Opportunity
Annual Openings
2,000
Estimated openings created each year.
Pathway
Preparation
The typical education, prior experience, and on-the-job training associated with entry into this career.
STEP 1
Education
Doctoral or professional degree
STEP 2
Experience
None
STEP 3
Training
None
Top Skills for Success
These are the highest-rated capabilities associated with success in this occupation. Scores are derived from occupational skill analysis and are measured on a 100-point scale.
Writing & reading
97 / 100
97%
Speaking & listening
91 / 100
91%
Creativity & innovation
82 / 100
82%
Critical & analytical thinking
81 / 100
81%
Problem solving & decision making
72 / 100
72%
Leadership
71 / 100
71%
Interpersonal
64 / 100
64%
Computers & information technology
55 / 100
55%
Adaptability
47 / 100
47%
Project management
39 / 100
39%
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Location Intelligence
Best Places for This Career
Explore the states and metropolitan areas offering the strongest combination of salary, employment, demand, and long-term opportunity.
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Best Metro Areas
Discover metro markets where compensation, hiring demand, and long-term momentum align.
- Top-paying cities
- Fast-growing markets
- Local opportunity rankings
CAREERGPS INSIGHTS
Career Analysis for Philosophy and Religion Teachers, Postsecondary
Understand the salary, outlook, education, and geographic opportunities shaping this career.
Is Philosophy and religion teachers, postsecondary a Good Career?
Philosophy and religion teachers, postsecondary (25-1126) work in an academic career path that combines advanced study with ongoing teaching opportunities. National employment stands at 27,000, with 2,000 annual openings, indicating a recurring need for new instructors due to hiring, turnover, and other staffing changes. The national median annual salary of $78,050 reflects the advanced education typically required, as this role generally calls for a doctoral or professional degree. Career success in this field is supported by strengths in writing and reading, speaking and listening, critical and analytical thinking, and creativity and innovation. Skills in leadership, interpersonal communication, and project management also contribute to effectiveness in academic environments. For those drawn to advanced study and teaching in philosophy and religion, this path offers a defined professional trajectory, with options to explore different states and metro areas that vary by salary levels, employment concentration, and overall opportunity score.
Philosophy and Religion Teachers, Postsecondary Salary
The national median annual salary for philosophy and religion teachers, postsecondary is $78,050. Pay levels vary notably by state and metro area. Among the top states by opportunity score, California reports a median salary of $105,820, Massachusetts $98,360, and New York $92,050, all above the national median. Colorado and Washington are closer to the national level, at $78,060 and $81,240 respectively. At the metro level, salaries can be even higher. The San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA metro shows a median salary of $119,530, while New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ offers $101,210 and Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH $100,770. San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA is at $100,140, and Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV at $79,310. These figures suggest that choosing certain states or metros can significantly influence earning potential within this occupation.
Job Outlook for Philosophy and Religion Teachers, Postsecondary
Nationally, philosophy and religion teachers, postsecondary have employment of 27,000 and a projected employment growth rate of 0.7%. This same 0.7% growth rate appears in the top listed states and metro areas, indicating a consistent growth projection across many leading regions. With 2,000 annual openings nationwide, there is a steady flow of opportunities that can come from new positions as well as replacement needs. While the projected growth rate is modest, the combination of existing employment and recurring openings shows that positions continue to become available over time. Job seekers can expect the market to turn over gradually rather than expand rapidly. This environment may reward candidates who combine the typical doctoral or professional degree with strong skills in critical and analytical thinking, communication, and adaptability, positioning themselves competitively as openings arise in different locations.
Where Are the Best Opportunities for Philosophy and Religion Teachers, Postsecondary?
Location decisions can significantly shape the experience of philosophy and religion teachers, postsecondary. At the state level, California leads the listed states with a median salary of $105,820, employment of 1,850, and an opportunity score of 67.38. Massachusetts and New York also stand out, with median salaries of $98,360 and $92,050 and opportunity scores of 65.87 and 65.78, respectively. Colorado and Washington show moderate employment levels (390 and 330) with median salaries around the high $70,000s to low $80,000s and opportunity scores in the mid‑50s. Among metro areas, San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA and New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ have the highest opportunity scores, both above 77, combining relatively high salaries and notable employment counts. San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA offers the highest listed median salary at $119,530 but with a smaller employment base of 130. Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV and Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH balance solid salaries, employment, and opportunity scores, providing additional attractive metro choices.
Education for Philosophy and Religion Teachers, Postsecondary
Philosophy and religion teachers, postsecondary typically need a doctoral or professional degree. This requirement reflects the advanced level of study and depth of expertise expected in these academic roles. The skill profile associated with this occupation aligns closely with rigorous graduate-level work. Writing and reading, along with speaking and listening, are central, supporting both scholarly activity and classroom teaching. Critical and analytical thinking, problem solving, and decision making are also key, fitting the demands of advanced philosophical and religious inquiry. Creativity and innovation contribute to developing original ideas and approaches, while leadership and interpersonal skills are important for functioning effectively in academic communities. Competence with computers and information technology and strengths in project management and adaptability help educators manage research, teaching, and institutional responsibilities. Together, the doctoral or professional degree and this broad skill set position individuals to pursue and sustain a career in postsecondary philosophy and religion teaching.
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