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Field of degree: Theology

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Theology field of degree. Employment: 387,740. Median annual wage: $40,000.

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Table 1. Theology degree, 2019
Data	Theology	All fields
Employment	387,740	56,820,460
Median wage	40,000	60,000
Percent employed part time	20	15
Percent employed in occupations requiring at least a bachelor's degree	59	60
Percent with an advanced degree	43	37
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey.

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Chart 1. Types of theology major, 2019
Theology major	Major share
Theology And Religious Vocations	100%
Note: The sum of percents by major may not total 100 due to rounding. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey.

Chart 2. Employment distribution of workers with a theology degree, by occupational group, 2019.

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Chart 2. Employment distribution of workers with a theology degree, by occupational group, 2019
Occupational group	Occupational group share
Community and social service occupations	33%
Management occupations	11
Educational instruction and library occupations	10
Office and administrative support occupations	7
Sales and related occupations	7
Other	33
Note: The sum of percents by major may not total 100 due to rounding. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey.

Table 2. Top-employing occupations for workers with a theology degree.

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Table 2. Top-employing occupations for workers with a theology degree
Occupational Outlook Handbook profile	Percent growth, projected 2021–31	Typical entry-level education	Percent degree holders in this field, this occupation, 2019	Percent of this occupation with an advanced degree, 2019
Postsecondary teachers	12%	Doctoral or professional degree	2%	73%
Managers, all other	6	Bachelor's degree	2	20
Secondary school teachers, except special and career/technical education	5	Bachelor's degree	2	54
Education administrators, kindergarten through secondary	5	Master's degree	2	56
Clergy	4	Bachelor's degree	27	49
Elementary school teachers, except special education	4	Bachelor's degree	3	48
Heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers	4	Postsecondary nondegree award	2	1
Directors, religious activities and education	4	Bachelor's degree	1	23
Retail salespersons	0	No formal educational credential	2	3
Secretaries and administrative assistants, except legal, medical, and executive	-10	High school diploma or equivalent	2	4
Note: Occupational profiles may comprise multiple SOC occupations, which may have differing education categories. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program (projected growth, entry-level education) and U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (degree holders, advanced degrees).

Suggested citation:

Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Field of degree: Theology,
at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/field-of-degree/theology/theology-field-of-degree.htm (visited March 16, 2023).

Last Modified Date: Thursday, September 8, 2022