Directors of religious activities and education lead spiritual and educational programs within religious organizations. You'll need a bachelor's degree and considerable preparation. The work is people-centered, requires strong communication, and offers meaningful community impact.
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You oversee religious education programs, plan and organize spiritual activities, and support members of your faith community. Your day involves teaching, mentoring, and building relationships with congregants of all ages. You work closely with clergy and lay leaders to establish programs that reflect your organization's values. You identify community needs, make decisions about curriculum and events, and communicate regularly with supervisors and staff. This role combines education, counseling knowledge, and deep theological understanding to create experiences that strengthen faith and community.
Core work activities
Career video courtesy of CareerOneStop.
Directors, Religious Activities and Education earn a median of $52,100 a year, based on 2025 data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and location.
The outlook is modest. Employment is projected to grow 2 percent from 2024 to 2034, little or no change for all occupations, with about 13,800 openings a year.
Top skills
Knowledge areas
Start by earning a bachelor's degree, typically in religious studies, theology, education, or a related field. Your coursework will cover philosophy, theology, education methods, and counseling approaches. Many programs include internships or practicum experiences within religious organizations. Beyond the degree, you'll benefit from volunteer or assistant roles in religious education settings to build hands-on experience. Strong speaking and active listening skills develop through these experiences. Consider seeking mentorship from established directors in your faith tradition as you prepare for leadership.
Most paths to this role begin with a bachelor's degree in theology or religious education, followed by experience in religious settings. If you're exploring whether this fits your timeline and interests, Pathly can map the director, religious activity and education path that fits you with your counselor to map out the steps that work for you.
You do not need a license to work as a director, religious activity and education, but professional certifications can strengthen your resume.
Common certifications
You're drawn to work that centers on people and their growth. You enjoy building relationships, communicating ideas clearly, and helping others develop spiritually and intellectually.
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Last updated July 1, 2026.
Data sources. Career details from the O*NET 30.3 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under CC BY 4.0. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. Salary and outlook figures from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025 wages; 2024–2034 projections), delivered via the CareerOneStop API. Certification, licensing, wage, and outlook data from CareerOneStop, sponsored by USDOL/ETA and the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED).