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Career

Clergy

Typical education: Master's degreeModerate pressure

What they do

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.

Kinds of work

  • Social: Helping, teaching, caring for and supporting other people.
  • Enterprising: Leading, persuading, selling and starting new projects or businesses.
  • Artistic: Creating, designing and expressing ideas through art, writing, music or performance.

Moderate pressure: How much pressure workers in this job report: deadlines, conflict, dealing with upset people, the cost of mistakes, responsibility for others' safety, competition and long hours. It varies a lot from one employer to the next. Source: U.S. Department of Labor worker surveys.

Pay, tasks and more

Salary

United States $60,810 Median per year · $29.24/hr Most earn $37,860–$98,890

BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, 2025.

What you might do

  • Administer religious rites or ordinances.
  • Instruct people who seek conversion to a particular faith.
  • Study and interpret religious laws, doctrines, or traditions.
  • Train leaders of church, community, or youth groups.
  • Conduct special ceremonies, such as weddings, funerals, or confirmations.
  • Read from sacred texts, such as the Bible, Torah, or Koran.

Job outlook

United States
2% more jobs by 2035, slower than average · about 19,200 openings a year

Openings include new jobs and jobs left by workers who retire or change careers. Projections: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. "Bright Outlook": U.S. Department of Labor.

Where they work

  • Self-employed (their own business)5.7%
  • Home healthcare services4.6%
  • General medical and surgical hospitals3.8%

Share of all workers in this career. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, National Employment Matrix.

Experience before this job: 1 to 2 years

Career path

How people usually get into this career, from school to their first job and beyond.

Typical education: Master's degreeExperience before this job: 1 to 2 years

Clergy is not an entry-level job. Most people spend roughly 8 to 9 years after high school getting the education and ministry experience it usually takes, though requirements vary by faith tradition.

  1. Bachelor's degree (often in religious studies, theology, or a related field)

    4 years

    Undergraduate study builds a foundation in religious texts, history, and ethics, and it is often a prerequisite for graduate theological programs.

  2. Master's degree in theology or divinity (such as a Master of Divinity)

    3 years

    Graduate study covers scripture, pastoral care, preaching, and church leadership, which are the core skills clergy use every day.

  3. Assistant Pastor or Youth Minister

    1-2 years

    Working under an experienced leader gives hands-on practice in leading worship, counseling members, and running congregational programs.

  4. Clergy (Pastor, Priest, Rabbi, Imam, or similar religious leader)

    Ongoing

    Clergy lead worship, offer spiritual and moral guidance, and support members of their community, with duties shaped by their faith tradition.

Where it can lead

  1. Director of Religious Education

    A few years as clergy or in a ministry role of experience first

    This role shifts focus from leading worship to planning and overseeing a congregation's education and activity programs, with more administrative work.

  2. Senior Pastor

    A few years as an associate or assistant pastor of experience first

    A senior pastor carries overall responsibility for a congregation, including its leadership, finances, staff, and direction.

What you can do now

Ideas for high school and college students.

In high school

  • Take English and speech or debate classesStrong speaking and writing skills help with preaching, teaching, and explaining ideas clearly to people of all ages.
  • Join a youth group or leadership clubTaking on roles like leading a meeting or organizing an event gives you practice guiding others.
  • Volunteer with a religious or community organizationHelping with a food drive, youth program, or service project shows you how faith communities support people in need.
  • Take a world history or social studies classLearning about different cultures and religions gives context for the spiritual and moral guidance clergy provide.
  • Get a part-time job working with peopleJobs like tutoring, camp counseling, or customer service build patience and communication skills.

In college

  • Major in religious studies, theology, or philosophyThese majors build the knowledge of scripture, ethics, and religious history that graduate programs in divinity or theology expect.
  • Volunteer as a youth leader or small-group leader at a faith communityRegular leadership of a group builds the teaching, counseling, and organizing skills clergy use daily.
  • Take psychology or counseling coursesUnderstanding how people think and cope helps when supporting members through grief, family problems, or personal crises.
  • Work or intern at a nonprofit or social service agencyHands-on service work shows how to help people in practical ways and connects you with community leaders.
  • Build public speaking experienceJoin a debate team, give presentations in class, or speak at campus events to grow comfort leading groups of people.

Tips for getting started

  • Talk with clergy in your own community or faith tradition about their path. Each denomination has its own requirements, so learn what yours expects early.
  • Volunteer in a religious or community setting, such as teaching a children's class or helping with outreach. This builds real experience and shows whether ministry fits you.
  • Build strong writing and public speaking skills, since sermons, counseling, and community leadership all depend on them.

Related jobs that often lead here

Related jobs a step up

Education, experience and related careers: U.S. Department of Labor. The step-by-step path, where it can lead and what you can do now were written by AI as typical examples; many people take other ways.

College majors that lead here

Majors: U.S. Department of Education and BLS (CIP–SOC crosswalk). Earnings and debt: College Scorecard, typical across U.S. colleges.

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