Community and social service
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.
Median pay
$60,810
Growth to 2035
+2%
about as fast as average
Openings a year
19,200
Time to qualify*
6 months
* From a bachelor's degree in an unrelated field.
Pay
Clergy
Getting in
- Typical entry education
- Bachelor's degree
- On-the-job training
- Moderate-term on-the-job training
- Prior experience
- None
What the work is like
Dealing with the public
Unpleasant or angry people
Time pressure
Cost of a mistake
Freedom to make decisions
Repeating the same tasks
Time sitting
Time standing
Outdoors in all weather
Clergy: 67% usually work over 40 hours a week
Core tasks
- 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.
- Administer religious rites or ordinances.
Also called: Bishop · Chaplain · Children's Minister · Imam · Minister · Pastor · Priest · Rabbi
Outlook and AI
Clergy held 242,000 jobs in 2025. BLS projects 247,800 by 2035 (+2%, about as fast as average; all jobs: +3.5%).
Compare with
- Clergy vs. Directors, religious activities and education
- Clergy vs. Social worker
- Clergy vs. Educational, guidance, and career counselors and advisors
- Clergy vs. Social and human service assistants
- Clergy vs. Social and community service managers
- Clergy vs. Philosophy and religion teachers, postsecondary
- Clergy vs. Community health worker
- Clergy vs. Marriage and family therapists
- Clergy vs. Healthcare social worker
- Clergy vs. Mental health and substance abuse social workers