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Clergy in California

Considering working as a Clergy in California? Below are the key facts. 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 Make in California?

The clergy working in California, the typical annual salary is $77,850 per year (or roughly $37.43/hour).Annual wages span from $43,080 at the 10th percentile to $136,030 at the 90th percentile.

Wage Statistic	Annual	Hourly
10th percentile	$43,080	$20.71
25th percentile	$60,910	$29.28
Median (50th)	$77,850	$37.43
75th percentile	$98,300	$47.26
90th percentile	$136,030	$65.40

The location quotient — a measure of how concentrated this occupation is in California compared to the national average — is 0.94.

National Wage Comparison

Nationally, clergy earn a median of $49,854 per year ($23.97/hour), higher than the California median.

Employment Outlook

National employment for 34,209 clergy nationwide. In California alone, about 6,390 people work in this role. That puts the state above the typical state, which employs around 530 clergy.

Top California Metros for Clergy

The metro areas below employ the most clergy in California.

Metro Area	Number Employed	Annual Median Salary
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA	2,100	$78,790
San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA	870	$83,210
San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA	590	$77,100
Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA	470	$75,410
Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA	440	$78,280
Fresno, CA	340	$72,750
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA	290	$92,860
Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA	120	$75,450
Stockton-Lodi, CA	120	$74,320
Modesto, CA	100	$73,570
Bakersfield-Delano, CA	90	$76,540
Salinas, CA	90	$75,090
Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA	80	$80,370
San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA	70	$77,370
Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA	70	$74,930
Vallejo, CA	60	$83,550
Visalia, CA	60	$66,030
Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA	50	$58,700
Chico, CA	40	$52,790
Redding, CA	30	$69,860

Top States for Clergy Employment

These states have the highest employment of clergy work.

State	Number Employed
New York	9,210
California	6,390
Oregon	4,340
Florida	3,370
Pennsylvania	2,660
Illinois	2,620
Texas	2,310
Michigan	2,220
Ohio	2,060
North Carolina	1,450
Virginia	1,400
Arizona	1,380
Georgia	1,280
New Jersey	1,230
Indiana	1,070
Minnesota	960
Maryland	840
Connecticut	830
Massachusetts	830
Washington	800

Highest-Paying States for Clergy

Where clergy earn the most: clergy.

State	Annual Median Salary
California	$77,850
Washington	$77,530
Virgin Islands	$75,600
Nevada	$70,150
Massachusetts	$67,830
Vermont	$66,860
New Hampshire	$66,670
Georgia	$65,510
Minnesota	$65,350
Connecticut	$65,040

Skills

The most important clergy skills, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:

Knowledge Areas

Important knowledge areas for this occupation, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:

Abilities

Key abilities for clergy, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:

Daily Tasks

Clergy typically:

• Pray and promote spirituality.
• Prepare and deliver sermons or other talks.
• Read from sacred texts, such as the Bible, Torah, or Koran.
• Organize and lead regular religious services.
• Instruct people who seek conversion to a particular faith.
• Share information about religious issues by writing articles, giving speeches, or teaching.
• Counsel individuals or groups concerning their spiritual, emotional, or personal needs.
• Administer religious rites or ordinances.
• Prepare people for participation in religious ceremonies.
• Visit people in homes, hospitals, or prisons to provide them with comfort and support.
• Train leaders of church, community, or youth groups.
• Plan or lead religious education programs.

Work Activities

• Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships
• Assisting and Caring for Others
• Getting Information
• Developing and Building Teams
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
• Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others
• Making Decisions and Solving Problems
• Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates
• Thinking Creatively
• Developing Objectives and Strategies
• Performing for or Working Directly with the Public
• Coaching and Developing Others

Tools & Technology

Common tools and software used in this occupation include: Hot technologies: Facebook

What Major Will Prepare You For This Career?

Programs that train for this career include:

• Mental & Social Health Services

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Related Careers

Other careers like clergy include:

• Education Administrators, Kindergarten through Secondary
• Education Administrators, Postsecondary
• Social and Community Service Managers
• Clinical and Counseling Psychologists
• Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors
• Marriage and Family Therapists

Also Known As

Administrator Pastor, Bishop, Brother, Campus Minister, Campus Pastor, Cantor, Catechist, Catholic Priest, Chancellor, Chaplain, Chaplain Resident, Children's Minister, Children's Pastor, Church Pastor, Clergy Member.

References

• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — https://www.bls.gov/oes/
• O*NET Online — https://www.onetonline.org/
• BLS Employment Projections — https://www.bls.gov/emp/
• O*NET-SOC code: 21-2011.00