Clergy
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.
Also called: Bishop · Chaplain · Children's Minister · Imam · Minister · Pastor
Median pay (national)
$60,820
$37,140–$99,720 (10th–90th)
Employed (US)
58,080
BLS OEWS, May 2024
Outlook 2024–34
+1%
~23,000 openings/yr
Typical entry
Bachelor's degree
What the numbers say
Refit analysis ·Pay for clergy shows an unusually wide range: the top 10% earn $99,720 versus $37,140 at the bottom 10% — 2.7x. The median of $60,820 leaves roughly 64% of headroom to the 90th percentile, which is where seniority, specialization, and the skills below tend to pay off.
Refit analysis ·Employment is projected to change +1% from 2024 to 2034 — slower than the 3% all-occupation average. Even so, BLS projects about 23,000 openings a year, mostly to replace workers who retire or change careers.
Refit analysis ·Where you work moves the number a lot. Across the 53 states with released data, California pays the most for this role (median $77,850, +28% vs the national median), while Puerto Rico sits lowest at $25,770 — a 202% spread for the same job title.
Refit analysis ·O*NET rates Speaking, Active Listening, Reading Comprehension as the highest-importance skills here — so a resume aimed at this role should lead with evidence of those, not a generic skills list.
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Top skills employers ask for
Ranked by O*NET importance for this occupation.
- Speaking
- Active Listening
- Reading Comprehension
- Writing
- Critical Thinking
- Active Learning
- Learning Strategies
- Monitoring
- Mathematics
- Science
What they actually do
Core O*NET tasks for this role.
- Pray and promote spirituality.
- Prepare and deliver sermons or other talks.
- Share information about religious issues by writing articles, giving speeches, or teaching.
- Administer religious rites or ordinances.
- Prepare people for participation in religious ceremonies.
- Plan or lead religious education programs.
- Perform administrative duties, such as overseeing building management, ordering supplies, contracting for services or repairs, or supervising the work of staff members or volunteers.
- Participate in fundraising activities to support congregational activities or facilities.
- Read from sacred texts, such as the Bible, Torah, or Koran.
- Organize and lead regular religious services.
Tools & technology
- Event scheduling software
- GroupMe
- Membership databases
- Web browser software
- Email software
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office software
- Microsoft Outlook
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Word
Knowledge areas
- Philosophy and Theology
- English Language
- Administration and Management
- Customer and Personal Service
- Education and Training
- Therapy and Counseling
- Communications and Media
- Psychology