How much does a philosophy and religion teacher make?
The median philosophy and religion teacher in the United States earns $78,050 per year. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all philosophy and religion teachers earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024. SOC code 25-1126.
Philosophy and religion teacher salary range
Pay for philosophy and religion teachers spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $47,550 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $134,910. The average (mean) wage of $88,210 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $47,550 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $60,980 | |
| Median (50th) | $78,050 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $101,680 | |
| 90th percentile | $134,910 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for philosophy and religion teachers, postsecondary (SOC 25-1126), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2024.
Philosophy and religion teacher salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Philosophy and religion teachers earn the most in California at $103,210 a year, and the least in South Dakota at $40,340. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| California | $103,210 | 1,640 |
| New York | $95,400 | 1,850 |
| Maine | $90,280 | 70 |
| Utah | $87,240 | 70 |
| New Hampshire | $86,520 | 140 |
| Virginia | $83,570 | 580 |
| Massachusetts | $82,880 | 970 |
| Connecticut | $81,700 | 330 |
| Arizona | $80,180 | 490 |
| Rhode Island | $79,810 | 130 |
| Texas | $79,790 | 1,560 |
| Oregon | $79,270 | 290 |
| North Carolina | $78,910 | 670 |
| Vermont | $78,490 | 90 |
| Washington | $78,200 | 350 |
| New Jersey | $77,600 | 930 |
| District of Columbia | $77,370 | 310 |
| Illinois | $77,290 | 1,270 |
| Kentucky | $77,120 | 340 |
| Wisconsin | $77,090 | 280 |
| Indiana | $77,030 | 630 |
| Minnesota | $77,030 | 470 |
| Michigan | $76,590 | 500 |
| Pennsylvania | $76,590 | 1,250 |
| Iowa | $75,550 | 320 |
| South Carolina | $75,540 | 260 |
| Nebraska | $75,450 | 80 |
| Arkansas | $73,940 | 120 |
| Mississippi | $73,720 | 90 |
| Louisiana | $73,020 | 90 |
| Maryland | $72,890 | 550 |
| Missouri | $72,740 | 380 |
| Colorado | $70,330 | 490 |
| Georgia | $68,050 | 290 |
| Tennessee | $67,050 | 540 |
| Ohio | $63,950 | 750 |
| Oklahoma | $62,440 | 150 |
| Kansas | $62,310 | 120 |
| Idaho | $61,760 | 80 |
| Alabama | $58,660 | 210 |
| Florida | $54,690 | 590 |
| South Dakota | $40,340 | 90 |
State median wages for philosophy and religion teachers, postsecondary (SOC 25-1126), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2024. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for philosophy and religion teachers
The BLS projects employment of philosophy and religion teachers to grow 2% from 2025 to 2035. That is about as fast as the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 26,800 jobs in 2025 moving toward 27,300 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 1,800 openings a year for philosophy and religion teachers. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a philosophy and religion teacher
The typical entry-level education for philosophy and religion teachers is a doctoral or professional degree, according to the BLS.
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a philosophy and religion teacher earns
District budget, level taught, degree, and region drive pay, along with years of service on a step-and-lane salary schedule. High cost metros and senior educators land near the top.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (California, $103,210) and the lowest (South Dakota, $40,340) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 20,840 people work as philosophy and religion teachers in the United States. At $78,050 a year, the job pays above the $49,500 median for all U.S. jobs.
Philosophy and religion teacher salary FAQ
How much does a philosophy and religion teacher make an hour?
Philosophy and religion teachers are generally salaried rather than paid by the hour, so the BLS does not publish an hourly wage for this job. The median annual salary is $78,050.
What is the highest philosophy and religion teacher salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of philosophy and religion teachers earn more than $134,910 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a philosophy and religion teacher make a year?
The median annual salary for a philosophy and religion teacher is $78,050. The average (mean) wage of $88,210 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being a philosophy and religion teacher a well paid job?
At $78,050 a year, a philosophy and religion teacher earns above the $49,500 median for all U.S. jobs. About 20,840 people work as philosophy and religion teachers in the United States.
Which state pays philosophy and religion teachers the most?
California has the highest median salary for philosophy and religion teachers at $103,210 a year. New York ($95,400) and Maine ($90,280) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2024.
Is being a philosophy and religion teacher a good career?
Employment of philosophy and religion teachers is projected to grow 2% from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 1,800 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a philosophy and religion teacher?
The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for philosophy and religion teachers as a doctoral or professional degree, so a college degree is usually expected.
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