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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.

What Do Clergy Do On a Daily Basis?

  • Organize or engage in interfaith, community, civic, educational, or recreational activities sponsored by or related to religious programs.
  • Plan or lead religious education programs.
  • Share information about religious issues by writing articles, giving speeches, or teaching.
  • Refer people to community support services, psychologists, or doctors.
  • Organize and lead regular religious services.
  • Prepare people for participation in religious ceremonies.

Qualities of a Clergy

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.

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

Service Orientation: Actively looking for ways to help people.

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

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

Types of Clergy Jobs

  • Pastor
  • Hospice Chaplain
  • Worship Pastor
  • Chancellor
  • Pope

Clergy Job Outlook

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. There will be an estimated 29,200 positions for Clergy per year.

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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 Average Salary

The average yearly salary of a Clergy ranges between $26,160 and $85,040.

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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

Tools & Technologies Used by Clergy

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

Becoming a Clergy

Education needed to be a Clergy:

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How Long Does it Take to Become a Clergy?

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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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