A student would want to shadow me for a week, because I spend a great deal of time shaping the worship service I'll lead on Sunday mornings, with words the worshipers and I will read and hear and share, songs we will sing together that orient them to the divine, and to how we fit and are called to be in the world. I will deliver a message that I hope gives them greater insight into who they are and who they might become in the world that will bring them joy and honor their Creator.
CAREER
Clergy
Overview
Salary Median (2023)
$58,920
Projected Job Growth (2023-2033)
+4% (slower than the average)
Career
Roadtrip Nation Leaders in This Career
What Clergy 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.
Other Job Titles Clergy May Have
Bishop, Chaplain, Children's Minister, Imam, Minister, Pastor, Priest, Rabbi, Rector, Worship Pastor
How Leaders Describe a Typical Day at Work
Per Diem Chaplain ,
A dedicated oncology and palliative chaplain providing spiritual support and counseling across a broad spectrum of race, culture and faith traditions for patients, families and staff. To be an integral part of a multidisciplinary care team.
Tasks & Responsibilities May 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.
Education
Level of Education Attained by Clergy
Most common level of education among people in
this career: Master's degree (48%)
Some college, no degree
Bachelor's degree
Master's degree
Majors Related to Career
Educational Paths Suggested by Leaders
Suggested Path
High School
Bachelor
Music Teacher Education
Graduate
Voice and Opera
Graduate
Divinity/Ministry
Graduate
Ethics
Per Diem Chaplain ,
Suggested Path
Bachelor
Divinity/Ministry
Graduate
Clinical Child Psychology
Doctorate
Clinical Psychology
Additional Skills & Experiences That Can Help You Excel
The ability to put authority behind my word has been a hugely beneficial skill in my career. Even when my sermons were much more basic, I could put authority behind my word, which made people listen and take me seriously.
There is a dual process in becoming a minister in the United Methodist Church and many other organized faith communities. One part involves education in theology, ethics, biblical interpretation (including study of the original languages and what they reveal about the cultures of those who wrote in those languages), preaching, church administration, educational techniques, counseling, and other subjects church leaders need to know. Another part involves getting a sense of God's desire for you.
Getting Started
Recommended First Step for:
College Students
Many people who enter the ministry study religion, because they believe having a firm foundation in that area will provide them with greater knowledge and understanding to lead people to know God's will for them. Though I wouldn't necessarily encourage people who want to become ministers to study music as I did, I would encourage them to study at a liberal arts college, which often encourages them to take courses in a wide variety of subjects, and to follow their curiosity to choose a major.
I would recommend to graduate from college with a religious studies degree as a first step in order to follow this career path.
Everyone
This page includes information from theO*NET 29.2 Databaseby the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under theCC BY 4.0license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.
