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All About Clergy

Career Description Conduct religious worship and perform other spiritual functions associated with beliefs and practices of religious faith or denomination. Provide spiritual and moral guidance and assistance to members.

Life As a Clergy: What Do They Do?

  • Prepare people for participation in religious ceremonies.
  • Conduct special ceremonies, such as weddings, funerals, or confirmations.
  • Participate in fundraising activities to support congregational activities or facilities.
  • Collaborate with committees or individuals to address financial or administrative issues pertaining to congregations.
  • Respond to requests for assistance during emergencies or crises.
  • Organize and lead regular religious services.

Clergy Needed Skills

These are the skills Clergy say are the most useful in their careers:

Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Service Orientation: Actively looking for ways to help people.

Social Perceptiveness: Being aware of others’ reactions and understanding why they react as they do.

Writing: Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.

Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.

  • Confessor
  • Clergy Member
  • Preacher
  • Worship Pastor
  • Presbyterian Clergy

Job Demand for Clergy

In the United States, there were 243,900 jobs for Clergy in 2016. New jobs are being produced at a rate of 8.2% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 19,900 new jobs for Clergy by 2026. The BLS estimates 29,200 yearly job openings in this field.

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The states with the most job growth for Clergy are Colorado, Idaho, and Arizona. Watch out if you plan on working in Maine, Wyoming, or Vermont. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.

Clergy Salary

Clergy make between $26,160 and $85,040 a year.

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Clergy who work in California, Washington, or Massachusetts, make the highest salaries.

Below is a list of the median annual salaries for Clergy in different U.S. states.

State Annual Mean Salary
Alabama $47,140
Alaska $52,810
Arizona $53,290
Arkansas $44,660
California $67,140
Colorado $55,690
Connecticut $59,250
Delaware $56,150
District of Columbia $61,500
Florida $51,570
Georgia $56,270
Hawaii $47,360
Idaho $45,230
Illinois $51,190
Indiana $48,130
Iowa $49,540
Kansas $45,390
Kentucky $48,910
Louisiana $52,950
Maine $54,300
Maryland $52,020
Massachusetts $60,600
Michigan $41,040
Minnesota $47,580
Mississippi $46,470
Missouri $49,900
Montana $49,620
Nebraska $45,050
Nevada $52,370
New Hampshire $57,390
New Jersey $59,180
New Mexico $52,350
New York $57,550
North Carolina $48,540
North Dakota $48,020
Ohio $46,570
Oklahoma $48,140
Oregon $52,040
Pennsylvania $49,920
Rhode Island $54,300
South Carolina $56,050
South Dakota $48,420
Tennessee $49,080
Texas $54,370
Vermont $46,940
Virginia $43,640
Washington $62,240
West Virginia $40,910
Wisconsin $49,690
Wyoming $57,740

What Tools do Clergy Use?

Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Clergy:

  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft Word
  • Microsoft Office
  • Microsoft PowerPoint
  • Web browser software
  • Email software
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Event scheduling software

How do I Become a Clergy?

Learn what Clergy education requirements there are.

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What work experience do I need to become a Clergy?

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Where do Clergy Work?

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Clergy work in the following industries:

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References:

Image Credit: Jonund via Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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