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Churches and religious congregations
Saddleback Church, Lakewood Church, Willow Creek Community Church
Directors, Religious Activities and Education
These directors build and run religious education programs, classes, and study groups for a congregation or faith-based organization. The work is distinct because it blends teaching, counseling, volunteer coordination, and budget decisions. The tradeoff is that the role is deeply people-focused but usually tied to modest pay and a small number of openings.
Also known as Director of Religious EducationDirector of Christian EducationFaith Formation DirectorReligious Education DirectorMinister of Education
Median Salary
$54,840
Mean $65,040
U.S. Workforce
~21K
13.8K openings per year
10-Year Growth
+2.1%
138.9K to 141.8K
Entry Education
Bachelor's degree
+ Less than 5 years experience
What This Role Looks Like in Practice
Directors, Religious Activities and Education sits in the Education category. In practical terms, this role combines day-to-day execution, cross-team coordination, and consistent decision-making under real business constraints.
U.S. employment is currently about ~21K workers, with a median annual pay of $54,840 and roughly 13.8K openings each year. Based on BLS projections, total employment is expected to grow from 138.9 K in 2024 to 141.8K in 2034.
Most hiring paths start with Bachelor's degree, and employers typically expect less than 5 years of related experience. Many careers in this track begin around Religious Education Assistant and can progress toward Senior Director of Congregational Education. High-value skills usually include Microsoft Excel, Google Sheets & Budget Tracking, Curriculum Development & Lesson Planning Systems, and Planning Center, Breeze ChMS & Volunteer Scheduling, paired with soft skills such as Speaking, Active Listening, and Social Perceptiveness.
Core Responsibilities
- Plan and update classes, study groups, and other education programs for children, teens, or adults.
- Review budget numbers and decide how much money to spend on materials, speakers, and events.
- Work with clergy and other leaders to set goals, get approval, and encourage participation in programs.
- Recruit, train, and coordinate volunteer teachers, speakers, and helpers.
Keep exploring: more Education careers or browse all job titles.
A Day in the Life
01 Plan and update classes, study groups, and other education programs for children, teens, or adults.
02 Review budget numbers and decide how much money to spend on materials, speakers, and events.
03 Work with clergy and other leaders to set goals, get approval, and encourage participation in programs.
04 Recruit, train, and coordinate volunteer teachers, speakers, and helpers.
05 Meet with individuals who want guidance on personal, family, financial, or faith-related problems.
06 Order curriculum and other materials, reserve rooms, schedule speakers, and handle the day-to-day setup for programs.
Industries That Hire
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Faith-based nonprofits
The Salvation Army, Young Life, World Vision
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Religious publishing and curriculum companies
Lifeway Christian Resources, David C Cook, Concordia Publishing House
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Private schools and academies
Jesuit High School, St. Ignatius College Preparatory, Notre Dame Academy
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Healthcare systems with spiritual care programs
AdventHealth, Ascension, Providence
Pros and Cons
Advantages
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You can get into the field with a bachelor's degree, and the occupation typically requires no formal on-the-job training.
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The work has a clear mission: you help people learn, volunteer, and stay connected to a faith community.
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The job mixes teaching, planning, counseling, and leadership, so the work is varied instead of purely administrative.
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There are about 13.8K annual openings, which can give job seekers multiple chances to find a position in different congregations or organizations.
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Pay is moderate rather than high, but the mean annual wage of $65,040 is stronger than many people expect for church-based work.
Challenges
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Growth is slow at just 2.1% over the 2024 to 2034 period, so the field is not expanding quickly.
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The occupation is small, with about 21,460 jobs, and many of the 13.8K annual openings are likely replacement openings rather than brand-new roles.
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The work can be emotionally demanding because it often includes counseling people about personal, financial, health, or religious problems.
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Even when the title sounds office-based, the schedule can include evenings, weekends, classes, and events tied to worship calendars.
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Career advancement can be limited in smaller congregations, and pay may depend on donations, attendance, and local budgets instead of a standardized ladder.
Career Progression
Religious Education Assistant
0-2 years
$28K-$39K
Supports class prep, copies materials, helps with events, and learns how the program runs from the ground up.
Religious Education Coordinator
2-5 years
$40K-$49K
Handles scheduling, communication, volunteer follow-up, and the daily logistics that keep classes and programs running.
Directors, Religious Activities and Education THIS ROLE
5-10 years
$50K-$75K
Leads the education program, manages budgets and materials, coordinates volunteers, and works directly with clergy and congregational leaders.
Senior Director of Congregational Education
10+ years
$76K-$98K
Oversees larger or multiple programs, sets long-term goals, and handles higher-level planning, staffing, and program strategy.
Education Paths
Bachelor's degree
The most common entry point, held by 53.58% of workers in this role.
Post-secondary certificate
A major alternative path, held by 21.13% of workers and often paired with church leadership or ministry experience.
Associate's degree
A smaller path into the field, held by 14.36% of workers, usually with strong volunteer or congregational experience.
Master's degree
A less common route, held by 9.2% of workers, which can help for larger congregations or more specialized education programs.
Key Skills
Technical
Microsoft Excel, Google Sheets & Budget Tracking 78%
Curriculum Development & Lesson Planning Systems 75%
Planning Center, Breeze ChMS & Volunteer Scheduling 73%
Google Workspace, Zoom & Presentation Tools 72%
Soft Skills
SpeakingActive ListeningSocial PerceptivenessInstructingCritical ThinkingService Orientation Job Outlook and Trends
+2.1%
Projected growth (2024-2034)
13.8K
Annual job openings
Employment is projected to rise from 138.9K to 141.8 K over the next decade, representing 2.1% growth. Around 13.8 K openings per year include both newly created roles and replacement hiring from turnover.
Remote availability is currently Rare. Demand remains strongest where employers need practical domain knowledge plus modern workflow and data skills.