Clergy
Clergy are trained spiritual leaders within various faith communities, responsible for conducting religious rites such as weddings and funerals, overseeing education programs, providing counseling, and offering support to individuals facing personal challenges. Their work environment is diverse; while most serve in houses of worship, others may work in military settings, hospitals, or social service agencies. The role requires flexibility, as clergy are often on call and must be prepared for emergencies.
Individuals aspiring to become clergy typically benefit from strong backgrounds in theology, psychology, and public speaking, as these skills are essential for effective ministry and counseling. Educational paths often include seminary training, which may vary in requirements depending on the specific faith tradition. Clergy duties can encompass both administrative tasks and active community engagement, including participation in local events.
Earnings for clergy can vary widely based on denomination, experience, and location. In the U.S., the median annual wage for clergy was around $63,720 in 2023. Employment opportunities in this field are expected to grow, primarily due to the need to replace retiring clergy members. Overall, clergy play a vital role in fostering spiritual growth and community support across diverse religious landscapes.
Clergy
Overview
Sphere of Work. Clergy are trained spiritual leaders in a community of faith. They conduct religious rites and ceremonies such as weddings and funerals, devise and oversee religious education programs, offer comfort to those who are suffering illness or grief, and counsel people troubled by family or personal problems. Most clergy work in a house of worship. Some work in the military, medical facilities, prisons, private corporations, or social service agencies, or choose to teach in seminaries and religious schools.
Work Environment. Clergy are usually on call at all times. A member of the clergy can be called upon at any time to perform their ministerial duties. Clergy thus must be flexible and adaptable, able to work with changing situations as they arise. As the standard office schedule is usually not possible, clergy often take two days off during the week. Depending upon the size of the worship institution and its ability to provide secretarial assistance, there may be extensive administrative and financial records to maintain in addition to scholarly and caregiving duties.
Occupation Interest. Individuals interested in pursuing a career in religion should be adept at understanding the theology of their specific faith tradition and applying it in practical situations, and should also possess a strong sense of compassion. Because clergy need to be comfortable interacting with people on an individual basis, in small numbers, and in large groups, they should be both good listeners and skilled public speakers. Some background in psychology and social services is also helpful, as clergy need to be able to deal calmly with unexpected emergencies.
A Day in the Life—Duties and Responsibilities. The typical workday for members of clergy varies greatly, often depending on the size and location of the religious institution in which they are employed. Clergy in small houses of worship may find themselves as the only paid staff members, so a great deal of administrative office work must be included in the schedule, even with volunteer secretarial help that is sometimes offered. Clergy in larger institutions often have a more specific focus. They may specialize in youth ministry, visitation of the sick and bereaved, financial and administrative planning for expansion of the institution, or scholarly message preparation and delivery on a weekly basis.
All clergy study sacred texts, interpret religious laws, follow current religious and social events, provide instruction and counseling, care for the needy, lead prayer, and perform religious ceremonies as requested. Participation in local community events may also be required.
In group settings such as committee meetings, clergy must interact diplomatically with a variety of people who may hold strong opinions on sensitive subjects. On an individual basis, clergy act as trustworthy counselors who may hear extremely personal and confidential information. In rare instances, such as cases of child or spousal abuse, they may be required to contact law enforcement officials.
Work Environment
Immediate Physical Environment. Much of the work of clergy is performed in an office or study setting; however, clergy are on-call professionals who must have reliable and accessible means of transport, as they need to respond quickly when emergencies occur.
Human Environment. In large institutions, clergy interact with other staff members and laity, requiring the use of diplomatic and administrative abilities. In smaller institutions, where clergy may be the only paid staff, a slower pace and less human interaction is common, and personal scheduling and work discipline become even more important. In hospitals, military bases, and secular colleges, chaplains should be prepared to work with people from various religions, as well as those who have no religious background.
Technological Environment. Not all houses of worship are able to provide professional secretarial assistance, which means that clergy are increasingly required to be familiar with software programs for word processing, desktop publishing, presentations, and financial transactions (especially with regard to taxation regulations for nonprofit institutions).
Education, Training, and Advancement
High School/Secondary. High school students who wish to become clergy can best prepare by studying English, history, languages, philosophy, and psychology. Since many public schools do not offer courses in religion, interested high school students may wish to request credit for courses taken at a local college or an independent high school of the student’s faith tradition. Volunteer work with a nonprofit organization or hospital is also helpful preparation.
Suggested High School Subjects
− Business & Computer Technology
− College Preparatory
− English
− History
− Humanities
− Literature
− Philosophy
− Political Science
− Psychology
− Social Studies
− Sociology
− Speech
− Theatre & Drama
Postsecondary. If possible, prospective clergy should take specific seminary preparatory courses at a college founded by the faith in which the student seeks ordination. However, counseling, psychology, and philosophy courses at universities offering no religious studies also provide a solid background. Those interested in military chaplaincy should obtain ROTC training as well, and education courses are necessary for students interested in ministry at a private school or college.
While some independent worship organizations do not require an advanced degree in theology or divinity, many do. Unlike most graduate schools, however, faith seminaries may not require a Graduate Record Exam (GRE) score. Because the requirements for a traditional divinity degree are diverse, students seeking to be a chaplain at the university level may want to consider a more focused degree in their faith’s theology and history or in counseling, subjects that are more commonly available for doctoral degrees. Many universities include teaching requirements in a chaplain’s job description, and thus prefer applicants who hold or are candidates for a doctoral degree.
Related College Majors
− Bible/Biblical Studies
− Biblical & Other Theological Languages & Literatures
− Pastoral Counseling & Specialized Ministries
− Religion/Religious Studies
− Religious Education
− Theology/Theological Studies
Adult Job Seekers. Life experience is a valuable asset in this field, which requires empathy for the struggles of daily life. Volunteer administrative positions in churches or other institutions of faith provide valuable background. Many seminaries offer courses and degrees online, with varying amounts of on-campus requirements. For work in hospitals, chaplains are usually required to have extensive Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) preparation, in which candidates participate in volunteer training under the supervision of senior staff hospital chaplains. Teaching and youth counseling experience is important in religious schools and in university settings. Similarly, those seeking employment as corporate chaplains will want to be at familiar with business career activities. Adults seeking clergy positions should familiarize themselves with the requirements of the organizations where they wish to work.
Professional Certification and Licensure. Denominational ordination is usually required at some point, often after a trial period of employment, and certification by the state is necessary in order to officiate at weddings and funerals. In some states, it is possible to be ordained by the state itself, without specific religious affiliation. Chaplains may obtain certification from organizations such as the Association of Professional Chaplains, National Association of Catholic Chaplains, or National Association of Jewish Chaplains.
Additional Requirements. Clergy are often called upon to provide counseling in sensitive situations; confidentiality in these cases is extremely important, as is the ability to ascertain when professional psychological help is needed, and, on rare occasions, when law enforcement should be notified. Some faiths have lifestyle requirements, such as celibacy or vows of poverty, for their clergy members.
Earnings and Advancement
Earnings vary greatly depending on the type of religion and can also be influenced by the experience of the clergy and the geographic location of the congregation. The median annual wage for all clergy in the United States was estimated at $63,720 by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics in 2023.
Roman Catholic priests typically earn a salary. With further training and experience, they can rise in the ranks of administration of the Catholic Church. According to Salary.com, the average salary for Roman Catholic priests was 103,733 in 2024.
Diocesan priests are not required to take a vow of poverty, though some priests (especially those in religious orders such as the Benedictines or Franciscans) do and are wholly supported by their religious order. Any personal earnings are given to the order. Such a vow of poverty is recognized by the Internal Revenue Service, which exempts them from paying federal income tax.
Most Protestant ministers are paid a salary, although a few are paid from the offering collections or even serve as a volunteer. Some denominations are tightly organized and have a rigid hierarchy through which one may advance, while in other denominations ministers may advance to a top position more quickly. Median annual earnings of Protestant ministers were $65,099 in 2024. In large, wealthier denominations, Protestant ministers often earn significantly higher salaries than those in smaller congregations.
Rabbis earn a salary. Since there is no formal hierarchy among congregations, rabbis can advance to head rabbis of well-established congregations, serve in the military, or teach in Rabbinical seminaries. Median annual earnings of rabbis were $102,706 in 2024.
There is comparatively little data available on the earnings of Muslim clergy. ZipRecruiter reported that Muslim imams had an average salary of approximately $62,882 per year in 2024. They were less likely than their Jewish or Christian counterparts to receive a housing stipend.
Clergy usually receive a package of benefits which may include paid vacations, holidays, and sick days; life and health insurance; a car allowance; free housing; travel and education allowances; and a retirement plan. On occasion, clergy may earn extra money through teaching, writing or officiating at ceremonies, such as weddings. In some congregations and faiths, for example the Orthodox Church in America, it is not unusual for clergy to maintain second jobs to support themselves.
Employment and Outlook
There were approximately 464,568 clergy serving congregations nationally in 2022. Of this number, 80.7 percent were men and 19.2 percent were women. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicted in 2024 that employment was expected to grow 2.2 percent, which was slower than average. Most job openings will stem from the need to replace clergy who leave the ministry, retire, or die.
Related Occupations
− Religious Activities & Education Director
Related Military Occupations
− Chaplain
Bibliography
"Compensation of US Diocesan Priests in the Catholic Church." 1964, Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate, 7 July 2017, nineteensixty-four.blogspot.com/2017/07/earnings-in-catholic-church.html. Accessed 20 Oct. 2017.
"Imam Salary." ZipRecruiter, 20 Aug. 2024, www.ziprecruiter.com/Salaries/Imam-Salary. Accessed 27 Aug. 2024.
"Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2023 21-2011 Clergy." Bureau of Labor Statistics, United States Department of Labor, 2 Apr. 2024, www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes212011.htm. Accessed 27 Aug. 2024.
"Summary Report for: 21-2011.00 - Clergy." O*NET OnLine, 9 Aug. 2024, www.onetonline.org/link/summary/21-2011.00. Accessed 27 Aug. 2024.