Career Overview
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 Known As
- Minister
- Pastor
- Priest
- Rector
Alternate Job Titles
- 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
What You'll Do
In this role, your typical responsibilities include:
- 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.
Knowledge You'll Use
You'll need solid knowledge in these areas:
- Philosophy and Theology
- English Language
- Administration and Management
- Customer and Personal Service
- Education and Training
- Therapy and Counseling
- Communications and Media
- Psychology
- Sociology and Anthropology
- Personnel and Human Resources
Essential Skills
Success in this career requires strong skills in:
- Speaking
- Active Listening
- Social Perceptiveness
- Instructing
- Service Orientation
- Reading Comprehension
- Writing
- Persuasion
- Judgment and Decision Making
- Time Management
Key Abilities
This career requires key abilities in:
- Speech Clarity
- Oral Expression
- Oral Comprehension
- Written Expression
- Deductive Reasoning
- Written Comprehension
- Inductive Reasoning
- Speech Recognition
- Problem Sensitivity
- Fluency of Ideas
Work Style
People who excel in this career typically demonstrate:
- Cooperation
- Empathy
- Integrity
- Dependability
- Sincerity
What Matters in This Career
This career tends to satisfy these work values:
- Achievement
- Relationships
- Independence
- Recognition
- Working Conditions
Education & Preparation
Typical Education: Master's Degree
Related Work Experience Needed: Over 6 months, up to and including 1 year
On-the-Job Training: Over 1 month, up to and including 3 months
Education Details: Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).
Experience Required: Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.
Technology You'll Use
Popular Technologies & Software
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office software
- Microsoft Outlook
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Word
Tools & Equipment
- Cordless microphones
- Desktop computers
- Laptop computers
- Multiline telephone systems
- Multimedia presentation projectors
- Passenger vehicles
- Tablet computers
Work Environment
- Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
- Telephone Conversations
- Contact With Others
- Freedom to Make Decisions
Salary & Job Market
| Salary Percentile | Annual Wage |
|---|---|
| Entry-Level (10th percentile) | $37,140 |
| Median | $60,820 |
| Top Earners (90th percentile) | $99,720 |
Workers Employed Nationally: 58,080
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If you're interested in this career, you might also consider:
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Occupational data sourced from the O*NET OnLine database, developed by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration. Wage data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), 2024.