Philosophy and Religion Teachers, Postsecondary: Job Description
Teach courses in philosophy, religion, and theology. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.
Featured schools near , edit
What Do Philosophy and Religion Teachers, Postsecondary Perform?
Typical responsibilities of philosophy and religion teachers, postsecondary include:
- 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.
Key Skills and Knowledge
Top philosophy and religion teachers, postsecondary rely on a mix of skills and domain knowledge.
Top Skills
These are the skills most important for this role, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Knowledge Areas
Related Job Titles
People in this occupation may also be known by titles such as:
- Adjunct Faculty Member
- Adjunct Instructor
- Adjunct Philosophy Professor
- Adjunct Professor
- Assistant Professor
- Associate Professor
- Biblical Studies Professor
- Church History Teacher
How Many Philosophy and Religion Teachers, Postsecondary Are There?
There are about 994,910 philosophy and religion teachers, postsecondary working in the United States today. Demand is forecast to grow by +3.7% over the projection horizon.
How Much Do Philosophy and Religion Teachers, Postsecondary Make?
| Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| Annual median | $71,584 |
| Hourly median | $34.42 |
| 10th percentile | $48,341 |
| 25th percentile | $59,963 |
| 75th percentile | $83,205 |
| 90th percentile | $94,827 |
Compensation varies based on experience, location, and industry.
Pay by State
| State | Annual median salary |
|---|---|
| California | $103,210 |
| New York | $95,400 |
| Maine | $90,280 |
| Utah | $87,240 |
| New Hampshire | $86,520 |
| Virginia | $83,570 |
| Massachusetts | $82,880 |
| Connecticut | $81,700 |
| Arizona | $80,180 |
| Rhode Island | $79,810 |
| Texas | $79,790 |
| Oregon | $79,270 |
| North Carolina | $78,910 |
| Vermont | $78,490 |
| Washington | $78,200 |
| New Jersey | $77,600 |
| District of Columbia | $77,370 |
| Illinois | $77,290 |
| Kentucky | $77,120 |
| Wisconsin | $77,090 |
| Indiana | $77,030 |
| Minnesota | $77,030 |
| Michigan | $76,590 |
| Pennsylvania | $76,590 |
| Iowa | $75,550 |
| South Carolina | $75,540 |
| Nebraska | $75,450 |
| Arkansas | $73,940 |
| Mississippi | $73,720 |
| Louisiana | $73,020 |
| Maryland | $72,890 |
| Missouri | $72,740 |
| Colorado | $70,330 |
| Georgia | $68,050 |
| Tennessee | $67,050 |
| Ohio | $63,950 |
| Oklahoma | $62,440 |
| Kansas | $62,310 |
| Idaho | $61,760 |
| Alabama | $58,660 |
| Florida | $54,690 |
| South Dakota | $40,340 |
Top-Paying U.S. Regions
Pay for philosophy and religion teachers, postsecondary differ across the country. The following regions pay the most:
| Region | Median annual wage | Share of U.S. jobs | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|
| Far Western US | $86,807 | 12.2% | 0.95 |
| Middle Atlantic | $83,531 | 23.7% | 1.62 |
| New England | $82,789 | 8.4% | 1.78 |
| Southwest | $78,693 | 10.6% | 0.89 |
| Great Lakes | $74,206 | 16.6% | 1.24 |
| Plains States | $72,030 | 7.1% | 1.14 |
| Southeast | $71,377 | 18.3% | 0.88 |
| Rocky Mountains | $71,108 | 3.1% | 1.08 |
Highest-Paying Metro Areas for Philosophy and Religion Teachers, Postsecondary
| Metro area | State | Median annual wage | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | CA | $131,140 | 120 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | CA | $122,730 | 150 |
| Madison, WI | WI | $107,800 | |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | CA | $107,530 | 130 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | CA | $103,980 | 60 |
| Lansing-East Lansing, MI | MI | $103,570 | 40 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | CA | $103,210 | 290 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | CA | $102,630 | 640 |
Top Industries Employing Philosophy and Religion Teachers, Postsecondary
The largest employers of philosophy and religion teachers, postsecondary work in these industries:
| Industry | Employment | Median annual wage |
|---|---|---|
| Educational Services | 20,800 | n/a |
The table below shows some of the most common industries where those employed in this career field work.
Software Philosophy and Religion Teachers, Postsecondary Use
- Word processing software: Google Docs (hot technology)
- Spreadsheet software: Microsoft Excel (hot technology)
- Office suite software: Microsoft Office software (hot technology)
- Electronic mail software: Microsoft Outlook (hot technology)
- Presentation software: Microsoft PowerPoint (hot technology)
- Word processing software: Microsoft Word (hot technology)
- Computer based training software: Learning management system LMS (in demand)
What the Workplace Is Like
Daily working conditions for philosophy and religion teachers, postsecondary reflects the following characteristics:
- Freedom to Make Decisions
- Indoors, Environmentally Controlled
- Determine Tasks, Priorities and Goals
- Contact With Others
Education and Training
The role falls in Extensive Preparation Needed (Job Zone 5), indicating the level of preparation typically expected.
Other Careers to Consider
Similar Occupations
- Anthropology and Archeology Teachers, Postsecondary (Primary-Short)
- Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Teachers, Postsecondary (Primary-Short)
- Geography Teachers, Postsecondary (Supplemental)
- Political Science Teachers, Postsecondary (Primary-Long)
- Psychology Teachers, Postsecondary (Primary-Long)
- Sociology Teachers, Postsecondary (Primary-Short)
- Education Teachers, Postsecondary (Primary-Long)
- Library Science Teachers, Postsecondary (Supplemental)
Where to Study
Future philosophy and religion teachers, postsecondary commonly pursue programs in:
Theology and Religious Vocations
14 programs across 7 majors
- Theological & Ministerial Studies
- Biblical Studies
- Pastoral Specialized Ministries
- Religious Education
- Missionary Studies
- Sacred Music
- Religious Institution Administration and Law
Philosophy and Religious Studies
11 programs across 4 majors
Health Professions and Related Programs
1 programs across 1 majors
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies
1 programs across 1 majors
References
This profile draws on the following authoritative sources:
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) for employment and wage data by state and industry.
- BLS Employment Projections for total employment and growth forecasts.
- O*NET (Occupational Information Network) for skills, knowledge, tasks, work activities, work context, technology, and education-zone data.
SOC code: 25-1126.00 (Philosophy and Religion Teachers, Postsecondary).