Directors earn $52,100 nationally at the median. The middle 50% of workers fall between $44,010 and $73,730. Where you land depends on specialization, employer, and experience.
Coordinate or design programs and conduct outreach to promote the religious education or activities of a denominational group. May provide counseling, guidance, and leadership relative to marital, health, financial, and religious problems.
Also known as:
Directors earn $52,100 nationally, below average for bachelor's degree holders. The middle 50% of earners fall between $44,010 and $73,730. Actual pay varies by employer, specialization, and location.
Below average for bachelor's degree holders.
25th to 75th percentile. Most workers earn within this band.
The mean wage for this occupation is $62,100, above the median. A concentration of very high earners pulls the average up. The median is the better gauge of typical pay.
O*NET data identifies 5 core activities and 5 measurable skills for Directors roles. Use this section to judge whether the day-to-day reality aligns with what you actually want to spend time doing.
Working closely with people, teaching, advising, or helping others navigate challenges is a defining feature of this career's daily work.
Leadership, influence, and business acumen are rewarded here, where managing teams, driving decisions, or persuading others shapes career outcomes.
Creative and original thinking matters in this field, where fresh approaches, design sensibility, or expressive work drives real outcomes.
What the physical and mental conditions of this job actually look like day to day, based on O*NET Work Context data collected from people working in this occupation.
Split between indoor and outdoor or field settings.
Mix of sitting and movement throughout the day.
Low time pressure. Work pace is typically steady and self-directed.
The BLS projects +2.1% employment change for Directors through 2034, below the national average of +5%. About 13,800 openings per year keep the field accessible to new entrants.
Slower than average.
New positions plus replacements for retirees and career-changers.
Total US employment as of BLS May 2024.
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034 and Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2024.
The five states below employ the most Directors professionals nationwide. State-level wages can differ significantly from the $52,100 national median. Research your specific market before committing to a program.
| # | State | Jobs | Median Wage | vs. National |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New York | 4,890 | $55,340 | +6.2% |
| 2 | California | 3,030 | $74,010 | +42.1% |
| 3 | Oregon | 2,170 | $46,810 | -10.2% |
| 4 | Florida | 1,420 | $49,290 | -5.4% |
| 5 | Pennsylvania | 940 | $56,140 | +7.8% |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024. Employment figures rounded. Read our methodology →
Most Directors positions require a bachelor's degree to qualify. The 8 programs below are the most common academic pathways into this field, ranked by how many graduates they produce each year.
These positions typically require a bachelor's degree and several years of related experience before advancing into senior roles.
| # | Program | Graduates/yr | 4yr Median | Colleges |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mental Health Services | 31,550 | $52,119 | 987 |
| 2 | Health Professions Education | 5,056 | $87,441 | 338 |
| 3 | Bible/Biblical Studies | 3,832 | $44,533 | 251 |
| 4 | Pastoral Counseling | 3,433 | $42,915 | 277 |
| 5 | Cognitive Science | 2,959 | $81,496 | 73 |
| 6 | Missions/Missionary Studies and Missiology | 1,490 | $40,103 | 126 |
| 7 | Religious Education | 1,185 | $43,633 | 135 |
| 8 | Religious Music and Worship | 511 | $41,456 | 162 |
Colleges offering the degree programs that lead to this career, ranked by UCD Score. A strong program plus solid outcomes is a good place to begin your search.
| # | College | UCD Score | Net Price | Salary 10yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | United States Military Academy West Point, NY | 96 | — | — |
| 2 | CUNY Bernard M Baruch College New York, NY | 93 | $3,033 | $75,971 |
| 3 | University of California-Los Angeles Los Angeles, CA | 93 | $12,548 | $82,511 |
| 4 | University of California-San Diego La Jolla, CA | 93 | $12,470 | $84,943 |
| 5 | University of California-Berkeley Berkeley, CA | 93 | $13,481 | $92,446 |
| 6 | University of Florida Gainesville, FL | 93 | $6,541 | $71,588 |
Once you've sized up Directors, these tools turn the numbers into a plan. Estimate the real cost of a degree that leads here, weigh the long-term payoff, compare specific colleges side-by-side, and find programs that match your profile.
See if the degree that leads to Directors pays off. Weighs each college's cost against the earnings graduates see.
Enter a budget and see the colleges whose net price fits, with the out-of-pocket cost and likely loan load for each.
Put any 2–4 colleges side-by-side. Admissions, cost, outcomes, and earnings, all on one screen, no tab-hopping.
Answer six quick questions and see your best-fit colleges ranked by budget, field of study, and what matters most to you.
The data on Directors shows 0 measurable strengths and 3 real trade-offs. All points are drawn from BLS wage data, employment projections, and IPEDS program completions.
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