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.Salary by State
| State Name | Employment | Annual Salary | Hourly Salary | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 540 | $47,930 | $23.04 | |
| Alaska | 60 | $52,050 | $25.02 | |
| Arizona | 770 | $55,430 | $26.65 | |
| Arkansas | 430 | $50,450 | $24.26 | |
| California | 5,880 | $71,380 | $34.32 | |
| Colorado | 530 | $59,620 | $28.66 | |
| Connecticut | 650 | $58,580 | $28.16 | |
| Delaware | 60 | $61,940 | $29.78 | |
| District of Columbia | 140 | $71,710 | $34.47 | |
| Florida | 2,900 | $51,130 | $24.58 | |
| Georgia | 960 | $56,560 | $27.19 | |
| Hawaii | 340 | $63,660 | $30.61 | |
| Idaho | 180 | $54,220 | $26.07 | |
| Illinois | 2,410 | $50,170 | $24.12 | |
| Indiana | 1,120 | $49,670 | $23.88 | |
| Iowa | 310 | $53,640 | $25.79 | |
| Kansas | 340 | $56,410 | $27.12 | |
| Kentucky | 430 | $52,340 | $25.16 | |
| Louisiana | 340 | $49,110 | $23.61 | |
| Maine | 70 | $54,110 | $26.02 | |
| Maryland | 800 | $52,510 | $25.24 | |
| Massachusetts | 620 | $64,190 | $30.86 | |
| Michigan | 2,070 | $48,990 | $23.56 | |
| Minnesota | 1,230 | $51,190 | $24.61 | |
| Mississippi | 300 | $54,450 | $26.18 | |
| Missouri | 630 | $56,640 | $27.23 | |
| Montana | 560 | $60,190 | $28.94 | |
| Nebraska | 330 | $48,080 | $23.12 | |
| Nevada | 140 | $58,810 | $28.28 | |
| New Hampshire | 110 | $60,640 | $29.15 | |
| New Jersey | 1,430 | $59,540 | $28.62 | |
| New Mexico | 120 | $65,070 | $31.28 | |
| New York | 6,960 | $62,720 | $30.15 | |
| North Carolina | 1,400 | $53,370 | $25.66 | |
| North Dakota | 140 | $57,370 | $27.58 | |
| Ohio | 1,490 | $52,730 | $25.35 | |
| Oklahoma | 370 | $50,660 | $24.36 | |
| Oregon | 4,250 | $55,940 | $26.89 | |
| Pennsylvania | 2,150 | $54,300 | $26.11 | |
| Rhode Island | 280 | $62,030 | $29.82 | |
| South Carolina | 560 | $50,810 | $24.43 | |
| South Dakota | 160 | $48,270 | $23.21 | |
| Tennessee | 540 | $49,870 | $23.98 | |
| Texas | 2,880 | $53,230 | $25.59 | |
| Vermont | 40 | $64,480 | $31.00 | |
| Virginia | 1,050 | $50,540 | $24.30 | |
| Washington | 720 | $70,890 | $34.08 | |
| West Virginia | 170 | $49,580 | $23.84 | |
| Wisconsin | 610 | $55,010 | $26.45 | |
| Wyoming | 50 | $56,960 | $27.38 |
Education
The programs listed below are typically the education paths that can land you this kind of job.
A program that focuses on the beliefs and doctrine of a particular religious faith from the intramural point of view of that faith. Includes instruction in systematic theology, historical theology, moral theology, doctrinal studies, dogmatics, apologetics, and applications to specific questions of ecclesiastical polity and religious life.
A program that prepares individuals for ordination as ministers or priests in any of the Christian religious traditions. Includes instruction in the theology and polity of a particular church, church law, liturgy and ritual, principles of pastoral ministry, homiletics, evangelism, church/parish organization and management, Christian ethics, church history, and related studies.
A program that prepares individuals to enter a seminary or other program leading to religious ordination, or a related religious vocation.
A program that prepares individuals for ordination as Rabbis. Includes instruction in Talmud, Halacha, Liturgy and Rituals, Rabbinical Thought, Jewish Ethics, Jewish Education, Pastoral Counseling and Homiletics.
Any instructional program in theological and ministerial studies not listed above, including preparation for religious vocations in faiths other than Christianity and Judaism.
A program that focuses on the theory and principles of pastoral care and prepares ordained clergy to provide non-clinical pastoral counseling to individuals and groups. Includes instruction in pastoral leadership, counseling psychology; crisis intervention; individual and group procedures; theological and spiritual counseling; pastoral care; and applications to specific types of ministry.
A program that prepares the ordained clergy and other religious professionals to provide spiritual, counseling, and leadership services to children, adolescents, and young adults. Includes instruction in child and adolescent psychology, human growth and development, family studies, communication skills, religious education, youth counseling, small group leadership, planning and organizing youth activities, volunteer supervision, and youth evangelism and worship.
A program that prepares individuals to provide caregiver, pastoral, and spiritual support in an institutional, hospice, military, or sports setting. Includes instruction in global, healthcare, prison, and sports chaplaincy; addiction, crisis, disaster, family, marriage, grief, and loss counseling; ethics; leadership; multi-cultural, multi-faith contexts; and worship.
A program that prepares individuals, including but not limited to, ordained clergy and other counseling professionals to respond to the emotional and/or spiritual needs of patients and families in health care emergencies and other situations, and to consult with and counsel other health care professionals. Includes instruction in advanced interpersonal communication; individual and small group counseling; interdisciplinary teamwork; crisis management; extended care relationships; self-analysis; medical ethics; pastoral care art; spiritual dimensions of human growth and health; counseling psychology and therapy; and applications to grief, death, emotional collapse, injury, individual/family adjustment, and chronic illness situations.
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$57,230 per yearNational average salaryModerateJob growth rate
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Bachelor's degreeTypical education requirement
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Moderate-term on-the-job trainingTypical on-the-job training requirement
Educational Attainment
The following chart shows the highest education level completed by those working as clergy.
- Less than high school 2%
- High school graduate 6%
- College dropout 11%
- Associate’s degree 5%
- Bachelor’s degree 26%
- Master’s degree 35%
- Doctorate degree 15%
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