What Can You Do With a Divinity (MDiv) Degree in 2025?

Co-Founder and Chief Data Scientist

With over 23,000 openings projected for clergy roles each year, the need for skilled, compassionate leaders is clear. Yet, many people who feel a pull toward a life of service hesitate. They worry that a divinity degree will limit their career options or fail to provide a stable income, turning a sense of calling into a source of anxiety.

That concern is exactly why this guide was created. It’s more than just a list; it’s a strategic roadmap developed by career planning experts with more than a decade of experience. We're here to give you a clear-eyed look at the diverse, financially viable career paths available so you can make a confident, informed decision.

What are the benefits of getting a divinity (MDiv) degree?

Pursue a wide range of rewarding careers in traditional ministry, professional chaplaincy, and nonprofit leadership that are dedicated to the social good.
Achieve financial stability with a median salary for clergy around $59,000 and the potential for significantly higher earnings in specialized fields.
Study with greater flexibility, as many respected seminaries now offer online divinity degree programs designed for working professionals.

What can you do with a divinity (MDiv) degree? What is MDiv?
What jobs can you get in pastoral ministry with a Master of Divinity degree? Ministry Jobs
What types of chaplaincy positions are open to MDiv graduates? Chaplaincy
What types of specializations are there in chaplaincy positions open to MDiv graduates? Specializations
Can you teach at a seminary with a Master of Divinity? Can you teach at a seminary with a Master of Divinity?
Can an MDiv lead to a PhD in theology or religious studies? Can an MDiv lead to a PhD in theology or religious studies?
What nonprofit leadership roles can you get with an MDiv degree? Nonprofit
What jobs outside the church can you get with an MDiv? Other Jobs
What is the average salary for MDiv graduates in the U.S.? MDiv Salary
What is the long-term career outlook for MDiv degree holders? Career Outlook
Other Things You Should Know About a Master of Divinity Other Things You Should Know About a Master of Divinity

What can you do with a divinity (MDiv) degree?

A Master of Divinity (MDiv) is a versatile professional degree designed primarily for those pursuing religious leadership, but its applications extend far beyond traditional ministry. It equips graduates with training in theology, ethics, counseling, leadership, and public speaking, which are valuable across multiple career paths. For many graduates, the MDiv also serves as a foundation for diverse Christian leadership career paths, preparing them to guide congregations, direct nonprofits, teach, counsel, or serve in chaplaincy roles where both faith and organizational skills are vital.

Here are the main directions you can take with an MDiv degree:

Pastor/Minister

Average Annual Salary: $55,000–$70,000

Pastors serve as spiritual leaders of congregations, guiding members in faith and everyday life. They preach sermons, lead worship services, administer sacraments, provide pastoral counseling, and oversee church programs. Many also manage staff, budgets, and community outreach to ensure the church thrives as both a spiritual and social hub.

Priest

Average Annual Salary: $40,000–$65,000

Priests in traditions such as Catholicism, Orthodoxy, and Anglicanism shepherd parish life by administering sacraments and leading liturgical services. Their responsibilities include celebrating Mass, hearing confessions, performing baptisms, weddings, and funerals, and offering spiritual guidance to parishioners. They also support ministries and community outreach within their parish.

Chaplain

Average Annual Salary: $55,000–$75,000

Chaplains provide spiritual and emotional care in settings such as hospitals, the military, prisons, and universities. They counsel individuals and families in times of crisis, lead services or memorials, support staff, and ensure that diverse faith traditions are respected. Their work blends pastoral presence with crisis intervention and holistic care.

Missionary

Average Annual Salary: $30,000–$50,000

Missionaries focus on outreach, education, and humanitarian service, often in cross-cultural or international contexts. They teach, preach, and provide practical support such as healthcare, education, or disaster relief while fostering community relationships and strengthening local faith communities.

Pastoral Counselor

Average Annual Salary: $45,000–$65,000

Pastoral counselors integrate spiritual and psychological care to support individuals, couples, and families. They help clients work through grief, marriage issues, or personal struggles from a faith-based perspective, often collaborating with mental health professionals when needed. Their role emphasizes healing and personal growth through both counseling techniques and spiritual guidance.

Nonprofit / Community Services Leader

Average Annual Salary: $55,000–$80,000 per year.

Leaders in nonprofit and community services manage programs that address poverty, homelessness, addiction, or social justice. They design initiatives, supervise staff and volunteers, manage budgets, advocate for marginalized groups, and engage donors and community partners to expand the organization’s mission. Their work combines leadership, service, and advocacy rooted in ethical and spiritual values.

For those comparing earnings in this sector, it’s worth noting that compensation is often aligned with broader trends, such as the nonprofit management masters degree salary, which provides a useful benchmark for professionals seeking advanced leadership roles in mission-driven organizations.

A Degree for the Purpose Economy

What connects these diverse fields is a growing cultural shift. More organizations are recognizing the value of mission-driven work, creating what's often called a "purpose economy." This has opened up new demand for leaders who can foster community and provide ethical guidance. The need is concrete; for instance, there are an estimated 15,400 openings projected each year for directors of religious activities and education. The data below highlights just one of these diverse roles.

What jobs can you get in pastoral ministry with a Master of Divinity degree?

Within parish ministry, the Master of Divinity is the core credential for the primary leadership roles. The most common positions are senior pastor, associate pastor, youth minister, and church planter.

Senior pastors serve as the lead minister and teacher for a congregation. Associate pastors often support them by focusing on specific areas like adult education or community outreach. Youth ministers guide the spiritual development of younger members, while church planters are entrepreneurs who start new faith communities from the ground up.

For those exploring ministry paths earlier in their education, it may be helpful to ask what can you do with a Christian studies degree. While this undergraduate program doesn’t offer the same depth of pastoral training as a Master of Divinity, it can prepare students for roles in church administration, Christian education, nonprofit service, or as a foundation for graduate-level seminary work.

The Pastor as Community CEO

It’s a mistake to think that a pastor just preaches on Sunday. In reality, these roles are incredibly complex and demand a diverse professional skill set.

Think of a modern pastor as the CEO of a community-based non-profit. The job requires strong abilities in public speaking, financial management, strategic planning, and staff supervision. Pastors also provide direct counseling and organize major community events. This unique combination of executive leadership and interpersonal care is what makes the training so valuable, regardless of where you ultimately apply it.

What types of chaplaincy positions are open to MDiv graduates?

Chaplaincy is one of the fastest-growing professional fields for MDiv graduates. You’ll find chaplains working in a wide range of settings, including healthcare, the military, corporations, college campuses, and hospice care.

The key thing to understand is that the MDiv is the first step. To become a professional, board-certified chaplain, you must also complete supervised training called Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE). This is the industry standard for developing the practical skills needed for these roles. For positions in hospice, which often involves knowing how to become a grief counselor, this hands-on training is vital.

Where Chaplaincy Jobs Are Concentrated

While chaplaincy roles exist nationwide, they are often clustered in certain areas. You'll find the highest concentration of jobs in states with large healthcare systems, military bases, and numerous universities. This makes sense, as these institutions are the primary employers of professional chaplains. Planning a job search in these regions can give you a strategic advantage.

As the chart below illustrates, states with large metropolitan areas and significant institutional employers often have the highest concentration of these jobs.

What types of specializations are there in chaplaincy positions open to MDiv graduates?

Just as doctors specialize, chaplains also develop expertise in specific areas of care. Within a large hospital, for instance, you might find chaplains who focus exclusively on pediatrics, psychiatric care, or palliative and hospice support.

In a university setting, some chaplains may specialize in serving specific student populations, like international students or those in graduate programs. This level of focus allows you to build a career that is deeply aligned with the people and the issues you feel most called to serve.

The Rise of Specialized Spiritual Care

This trend toward specialization is growing. Institutions now recognize that different communities have unique spiritual and emotional needs, and they are seeking professionals with tailored training.

In response, many seminaries are adapting their programs to meet this demand. It's now common to find MDiv tracks that focus on specific types of ministry or dual-degree options. For instance, a student might pursue an accredited online Christian counseling degree to build the clinical skills needed for a career in mental health chaplaincy. This allows you to enter the job market with a clear, valuable area of expertise.

Can you teach at a seminary with a Master of Divinity?

The short answer is no. This is a common point of confusion, so it's an important one to clarify.

The Master of Divinity is a professional degree. Think of it like a Juris Doctor (JD) for a lawyer or a Doctor of Medicine (MD) for a physician. It is the primary credential for becoming a practitioner in the field—a pastor, chaplain, or non-profit leader. For many students, the MDiv also opens the door to a variety of jobs in Christian ministry, including church leadership, counseling, missions, and organizational work within faith-based nonprofits.

The degree required to teach at a seminary or university is a terminal academic degree, typically a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.). The academic job market is highly competitive, and the Ph.D. is the standard qualification for a faculty position. While the MDiv is not a teaching degree itself, it does play a crucial role in that path.

Can an MDiv lead to a PhD in theology or religious studies?

Yes. The Master of Divinity is the standard foundational degree for anyone planning to pursue a Ph.D. in theology, religious studies, or a related field.

Doctoral programs look for candidates who have a broad and deep understanding of the discipline. The MDiv curriculum is specifically designed to provide that, covering everything from biblical languages and church history to systematic theology and pastoral ethics. While some Ph.D. programs may also accept students with an academic master's degree, the MDiv is the most common and widely respected pathway.

Choosing the Right Master's for Your Goal

The right choice for you depends on your level of certainty about your long-term goals. If you are 100% committed to a career in academic research and teaching, an academic master's degree like an MTS might be a more direct route.

However, if you want to keep your options open, the MDiv is the more flexible choice. It fully prepares you for doctoral studies while also qualifying you for professional ministry, chaplaincy, or non-profit work. Some students focused only on academia may look into accelerated one year masters programs as another option, but the MDiv provides the most comprehensive foundation for a variety of future paths.

What nonprofit leadership roles can you get with an MDiv degree?

The MDiv is excellent preparation for leadership in the non-profit world. Your training in ethics, community organizing, and public speaking makes you a strong candidate for roles like executive director, program manager, community organizer, and social justice advocate. Especially if you pair it with related college majors.

These are not entry-level positions. They are leadership roles that require the ability to manage budgets, supervise staff, and inspire volunteers and donors to support a clear mission.

Where Purpose Meets a Paycheck

A common myth is that working for a non-profit means sacrificing financial stability. That's simply not the case anymore. The sector has professionalized, and it needs skilled leaders who can deliver results.

The compensation reflects this reality. For example, the mean annual wage for religious workers specifically in the individual and family services sector is over $71,000. Earning a divinity degree equips you to lead with both a strong sense of purpose and the expectation of a professional salary. As the statistic below shows, leadership in the social sector is both impactful and professionally compensated.

What jobs outside the church can you get with an MDiv?

The skills gained from an MDiv are increasingly in demand in secular fields. Graduates are finding fulfilling careers as university administrators, corporate ethics consultants, restorative justice mediators, and professional counselors.

Companies and universities are hiring for roles focused on building strong cultures, guiding ethical decisions, and promoting employee well-being. They need leaders with the sophisticated interpersonal and analytical skills that an MDiv provides.

Translating Your Skills for the Secular Market

You don't need to hide your MDiv on a resume; you just need to translate it. The key is to reframe your training in the language of the secular workplace.

For example, "pastoral care" becomes "empathetic leadership and employee well-being." "Preaching" becomes "public speaking and persuasive communication." This shows a hiring manager that you have the practical, valuable skills they're looking for. Pursuing a specific credential, like a Christian counseling certification, is another excellent way to demonstrate how your foundational training translates into a recognized professional skill set.

What is the average salary for MDiv graduates in the U.S.?

The median salary for clergy in the U.S. is around $59,000 per year. While that is an accurate figure, it's also a misleading one if you look at it in isolation. It's a starting point, not the full picture of what you can earn with a divinity degree.

The full salary spectrum is much wider and depends heavily on your location, experience, and chosen field. Earning potential is not a single number; it's a range of possibilities that you can navigate with a clear career strategy.

Beyond the Median: A Look at the Full Earning Potential

To get a realistic sense of your financial future, you have to look beyond the average. The data shows that while half of clergy earn the median salary, 25% earn more than $74,620. The top 10% of earners in the field make over $96,600 annually.

This tells a clear story: while the median salary provides a solid foundation, there is significant room for financial growth. Strategic choices—like pursuing board certification in chaplaincy, taking a leadership role at a large non-profit, or even exploring some of the cheapest online graduate programs to minimize debt—can place you in the upper end of that earning range. The data below shows the path to higher earnings.

What is the long-term career outlook for MDiv degree holders?

The long-term career outlook for MDiv graduates is strong, stable, and growing more diverse. With a projected 23,400 openings for clergy expected each year, the foundational demand for these roles remains secure.

But the outlook is even brighter when you look at the expanding opportunities outside of traditional ministry. The need for the skills an MDiv provides is growing in secular sectors like healthcare, education, and non-profit leadership. This isn't a shrinking field; it's a field that is evolving.

Why MDiv Skills are More Valuable Than Ever

In a world that is increasingly automated and socially fragmented, the core skills of an MDiv are becoming premium assets. The ability to build community, provide empathetic guidance, and reason through complex ethical challenges is more valuable than ever.

These are precisely the human-centered skills that cannot be outsourced or automated. As more organizations focus on purpose, culture, and ethics, the MDiv is becoming a key degree for leadership. It is a credential that prepares you not just for a job, but for a lifetime of relevant, meaningful work.

Projected annual job openings for the clergy

Here's What MDiv Graduates Have to Say About Their Degree

David: "I knew I wanted to be a hospital chaplain, but I had no idea how to get there. My MDiv program laid out the entire path, from the required coursework to the process for getting certified in Clinical Pastoral Education. It turned a vague calling into a concrete, achievable career."

James: "I thought seminary would be purely academic, just reading old books. I was surprised by how practical the training was. The courses on non-profit management and public speaking are skills I use every single day as a pastor."

Michael: "After a decade in accounting, I felt a deep need for my work to have a real impact. The MDiv gave me the ethical framework and leadership skills I was missing. I never expected to be running a city-wide food security non-profit, but this degree is what prepared me for it. "

Key Findings

The career outlook for MDiv graduates is secure, with an estimated 23,400 job openings projected for clergy each year, ensuring a stable demand for qualified leaders.
While the median salary for clergy provides a solid baseline at nearly $59,000, the top 25% of earners make over $74,620, demonstrating a clear path to significant income growth.
Career paths extend far beyond traditional ministry, with an additional 15,400 annual openings projected for leadership roles like directors of religious activities and education.
Pursuing a career in the social sector is a financially viable option, as the mean annual wage for religious workers in individual and family services is over $71,500.
Job opportunities for MDiv graduates are often concentrated in states with large institutional employers, with California and New York leading the country in employment levels.
The full earning potential for MDiv graduates is robust, with a salary spectrum that starts at a median of around $59,000 and exceeds $96,600 for the top 10% of earners.

Other Things You Should Know About Divinity (MDiv) Degree Programs

What are the typical admissions requirements for an MDiv program?

Most accredited Master of Divinity programs require a bachelor's degree from a recognized institution. To apply, you will typically need to submit your official transcripts, several letters of recommendation, and a personal statement or essay. This essay usually asks you to explain your motivations for pursuing the degree and your career goals. Some seminaries may also require an interview as part of the application process.

Do I need to be a member of a specific denomination to get an MDiv?

No, you do not always need to be affiliated with a specific denomination. Many seminaries are ecumenical, meaning they welcome students from a wide variety of faith backgrounds and traditions. However, if your goal is ordination within a particular church, you must ensure your chosen seminary's curriculum meets that denomination's specific educational requirements for ministry.

What kind of financial aid is available for MDiv students?

Financial aid is a critical part of making an MDiv affordable. Most seminaries offer significant financial support through need-based grants and merit-based scholarships, which do not need to be repaid. In addition to these institutional funds, students can also apply for federal student loans by filling out the FAFSA. Many denominations and local congregations also offer scholarships to support members who are pursuing a career in ministry.

How long does it take to complete an MDiv degree online?

A Master of Divinity degree is typically a three-year program for full-time students. However, many of the best online MDiv programs are designed with working professionals in mind and offer flexible part-time options. Choosing a part-time track allows you to continue working while you study, and it can take between four and six years to complete the degree depending on how many courses you take each semester.