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Philosophy and Religion Professor
Also called: Philosophy Professor · Religious Studies Professor · Ethics Professor · Theology Professor
What philosophy and religion professors do, what they earn, how long training takes and how to get started, with official BLS pay data and practical, job-level detail.
What does a philosophy and religion professor do?
Philosophy and religion teachers, postsecondary, teach courses in philosophy, religion and theology. The median pay is $80,260 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about 6–8 years after a bachelor’s, and employment is projected to grow +2.0% from 2025–35.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
- Median pay$80,260Annual salary · May 2025
- Job growth+2.0%2025–35, slower than average
- Openings per year1,800Average, 2025–35
- Typical entry educationDoctoral or professional degreeBLS classification
- Time to train6–8 years after a bachelor’sTypical program length
- U.S. jobs26,800Employment, 2025
What philosophy and religion professors do
Philosophy and religion professors teach big questions. They teach logic, ethics, philosophy of mind, world religions and theology, lead discussions on difficult ideas, research and publish, and often teach ethics courses for nursing, business and engineering programs.
Most hold a Ph.D.; seminaries and divinity schools may also look for ministry or professional degrees.
Typical duties
- Teach philosophy or religion courses
- Lead discussions
- Teach applied ethics
- Research and publish
- Mentor students
- Develop courses
- Serve on committees
Work environment and schedule
Faculty work in classrooms, offices and libraries.
Schedule: Teaching and research with flexible hours.
A day in the life
- Teach intro to ethics.
- Hold office hours.
- Write a journal article.
- Teach world religions.
See a full day in the life of a philosophy and religion professor →
Philosophy and Religion Professor salary
Half of philosophy and religion professors earned more than $80,260 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $49,140 for the lowest 10% to $139,580 for the top 10%.
Full philosophy and religion professor pay scale and hourly rates →
How to become a philosophy and religion professor
- Earn a philosophy or religion bachelor’s
- Learn languages
- Earn a Ph.D.
- Publish
- Get hired
A Ph.D. in philosophy, religious studies or theology is typical.
Step-by-step guide to becoming a philosophy and religion professor →
Skills and tools
Technical skills
- Logic
- Ethics
- Textual analysis
- Argumentation
- Research
People skills
- Open-mindedness
- Facilitation
- Patience
- Clarity
All philosophy and religion professor skills and tools →
Pros and cons
Pros
- Explore deep questions
- Teach critical thinking
- Flexible schedule
- Ethics teaching across programs
Cons
- Very competitive job market
- Small departments
- Grading load
- Many adjunct roles
Certifications and licenses
- Ph.D.: Philosophy, religion or theology.
- Language skills: Greek, Latin, Hebrew or others.
- Ethics committee training: Hospital or research ethics.
- Publications: Articles and books.
Career path
- Teaching Assistant: Teach sections.
- Assistant Professor: Tenure track.
- Associate Professor: Tenure.
- Professor or Chair: Lead departments.
Learn the job before day one
Our Philosophy and Religion Professor training (10 hours, $89.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as teach students to spot logical fallacies and lead a discussion on a hard ethical question, safety and how to land your first job.
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Philosophy and Religion Professor FAQ
Is philosophy a good major for law school?
Many philosophy majors do well on law school admissions tests.
Do religion professors need to be religious?
No, religious studies is an academic field.
Is the job market competitive?
Yes, very.
How much does a philosophy and religion professor make?
The median annual wage for philosophy and religion professors was $80,260 in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $49,140 and the highest 10% earned more than $139,580.
How long does it take to become a philosophy and religion professor?
Most people need about 6–8 years after a bachelor’s of training. A Ph.D. in philosophy, religious studies or theology is typical.
Do you need a degree to be a philosophy and religion professor?
Usually. BLS lists a doctoral degree as typical for postsecondary teachers. Universities generally require a doctorate, while community colleges often hire instructors with a master’s degree.
More philosophy and religion professor questions →
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, SOC 25-1126 (Philosophy and religion teachers, postsecondary).
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Employment Projections, Table 1.2 (2025–35).
- O*NET OnLine summary for Philosophy and religion teachers, postsecondary (U.S. Department of Labor).
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Reviewed by the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team. Pay figures are national estimates; local pay varies. See our editorial policy.