How long does the training take?

Typically about four years for the degree, then less than 5 years of related work first. That is the usual route rather than a rule — people arrive by other paths all the time.

How much do directors, religious activities and education make?

The US median is $52,100 a year, meaning half earn more and half less. Pay varies widely by state, employer and experience.

Do you need a degree for this work?

Yes, and employers also expect years of related experience first.

Where can you train for this work?

387 US colleges, community colleges and trade schools award credentials in a matching program. See which ones →

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Directors, religious activities and education: pay, training and the programs that lead there

Community & social service · SOC 21-2021

$52,100US median pay, 2025

+3.3%Projected growth, 2025–35

13,000Openings per year

Degree + experienceUsual way in

How you get in

Not an entry-level job: it usually takes a degree plus years of related work.

Bachelor's degree
Less than 5 years of experience in a related job
Work in: directors, religious activities and education

Programs that lead to this job

These are the federal program codes (CIP) that the Department of Education maps to this occupation, and how many US colleges, community colleges or trade schools report awarding credentials in each.

Program	Code	Schools
Bible/Biblical Studies	CIP 39.0201	197
Pastoral Studies/Counseling	CIP 39.0701	106
Missions/Missionary Studies	CIP 39.0301	79
Religious Education	CIP 39.0401	79
Youth Ministry	CIP 39.0702	65
Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries, Other	CIP 39.0799	55
Lay Ministry	CIP 39.0705	53
Bioethics/Medical Ethics	CIP 51.3201	47
Clinical Pastoral Counseling/Patient Counseling	CIP 51.1506	18
Worship Ministry	CIP 39.0502	17
Urban Ministry	CIP 39.0703	10
Chaplain/Chaplaincy Studies	CIP 39.0706	8
Women's Ministry	CIP 39.0704	6
Contemplative Studies/Inquiry	CIP 30.2502	2
Thanatology	CIP 30.5301	1
Religious Music and Worship, Other	CIP 39.0599	1

See the 387 schools that offer these programs →

Common questions

How long does the training take?: Typically about four years for the degree, then less than 5 years of related work first. That is the usual route rather than a rule — people arrive by other paths all the time.
How much do directors, religious activities and education make?: The US median is $52,100 a year, meaning half earn more and half less. Pay varies widely by state, employer and experience.
Do you need a degree for this work?: Yes, and employers also expect years of related experience first.
Where can you train for this work?: 387 US colleges, community colleges and trade schools award credentials in a matching program. See which ones →

Pay and growth are national figures. What you earn depends on where you work, your employer and your experience, and these are projections rather than promises. Education requirements describe how most people enter the job, not a rule — plenty of people take another route.

Pay, growth, openings and entry requirements: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections 2025–35. Program-to-occupation mapping: NCES CIP–SOC crosswalk (2020/2018). School counts: IPEDS completions, 2022–23.

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