Executive Pastor

Also called: Church Administrator

Runs the business side of a large church — staff, budget, buildings, and operations.

A day in the life

Reviews the church budget, approves a building repair, interviews a new kids' ministry director, and plans the Easter logistics for 5,000 people.

Pay over a career

Starting
$55k
Typical
$90k
High
$140k

Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.

Training

Bachelor's degree (4-year), about 8 years after high school. Bachelor's (often a master's in ministry or business) plus management experience.

Ways in: 4-year college, Graduate school, On-the-job training. Training cost: $15k – $60k.

Majors to look at: Business, Ministry Leadership, Theology.

Outlook

Growing about average (about 3% over 10 years). Approximate.

Will it last? Our AI estimate

Low risk for 10 years. AI helps with budgets and scheduling; hiring staff and running Easter for 5,000 people stay human.

Start now, in high school

Classes: Business, Accounting, Speech.

Official data: O*NET occupation 11-9151.

More Ministry & Faith Leadership careers

Career Universe is an early version. Pay, training and AI-risk figures are estimates to start your own research, not verified facts. The research was written with AI research assistants, checked by validation scripts and spot-checked by hand. Check anything important with schools, employers and official sources. How the numbers work.