Life As a Clergy
Clergy Example 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.
List of Clergy Job Duties
- Organize or engage in interfaith, community, civic, educational, or recreational activities sponsored by or related to religious programs.
- Refer people to community support services, psychologists, or doctors.
- Collaborate with committees or individuals to address financial or administrative issues pertaining to congregations.
- Prepare people for participation in religious ceremonies.
- Read from sacred texts such as the Bible, Torah, or Koran.
- Respond to requests for assistance during emergencies or crises.
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Clergy Needed Skills
Below is a list of the skills most Clergy say are important on the job.
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.
Types of Clergy Jobs
- Hebrew Cantor
- Student Ministry Pastor
- Mohel
- Congregational Care Pastor
- Children’s Pastor
What Kind of Clergy Job Opportunities Are There?
There were about 243,900 jobs for Clergy in 2016 (in the United States). 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. Due to new job openings and attrition, there will be an average of 29,200 job openings in this field each year.

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.
Do Clergy Make A Lot Of Money?
The average yearly salary of a Clergy ranges between $26,160 and $85,040.

Clergy who work in California, Washington, or Massachusetts, make the highest salaries.
How much do Clergy make 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 & Technology 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
- Event scheduling software
Becoming a Clergy
What kind of Clergy requirements are there?

How Long Does it Take to Become a Clergy?

Where Clergy Are Employed

The table below shows some of the most common industries where those employed in this career field work.

References:
Image Credit: Jonund via Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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