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.
Also called: Administrator Pastor, Bishop, Brother, Campus Minister, Campus Pastor, Cantor
Median pay
$60,810
per year, U.S.
Pay range (10th–90th)
$37,860 – $98,890
People employed
57,200
Holland code
SEA
Social · Enterprising · Artistic
Updated October 2026 · Data: O*NET 31.0 and BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
Is this career right for you?
These are the things that stand out in this job compared with other U.S. jobs (O*NET 31.0 work context). Answer honestly.
- 1.Do you want to lead or coordinate other people’s work?
- 2.Are you OK working more than 40 hours a week?
- 3.Do you want a lot of freedom to make your own decisions?
- 4.Do you want a job with little physical risk?
- 5.Are you comfortable sitting at a desk most of the day?
The hard parts
- Tight deadlines are common
Clergy pay by state
Highest-paying states
Annual median pay by state (49 states and DC with published data). Source: BLS OEWS May 2025.
What clergy do
- 01Pray and promote spirituality.
- 02Prepare and deliver sermons or other talks.
- 03Read from sacred texts, such as the Bible, Torah, or Koran.
- 04Organize and lead regular religious services.
- 05Instruct people who seek conversion to a particular faith.
- 06Share information about religious issues by writing articles, giving speeches, or teaching.
Skills that matter most
- Speaking
- Active Listening
- Writing
- Reading Comprehension
- Critical Thinking
- Active Learning
Knowledge
- Philosophy and Theology
- English Language
- Administration and Management
- Customer and Personal Service
- Education and Training
Work styles that stand out
- Integrity
- Cooperation
- Social Orientation
- Self-Control
- Empathy
Education and first steps
Share of workers by required education, as reported to O*NET.
How people get started
- Usually needs a graduate degree (O*NET Job Zone 5).
- Related work experience: over 6 months, up to and including 1 year.
- On-the-job training: over 1 month, up to and including 3 months.
- A certification can help.
Most common answers from O*NET 31.0 Education, Training and Experience.
Interest fit (Holland code)
O*NET occupational interest scores, scale 1–7. Take the Free Career Test to compare with your own.
Career changes
Change from clergy
- Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors88% · +6%
- Social and Community Service Managers83% · +32%
- Child, Family, and School Social Workers83% · −2%
- Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers81% · −1%
- Healthcare Social Workers81% · +12%
Change into clergy
Jobs whose skills carry over best (skill match, their median pay).
- Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors78% · $64,330
- Rehabilitation Counselors76% · $46,850
- Art Therapists70% · $77,930
- Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary62% · $78,620
Majors that lead here
- Theology/Theological Studies
- Divinity/Ministry
- Pre-Theology/Pre-Ministerial Studies
- Rabbinical Studies
- Theological and Ministerial Studies, Other
- Pastoral Studies/Counseling
- Youth Ministry
- Chaplain/Chaplaincy Studies
- Clinical Pastoral Counseling/Patient Counseling
From the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk.