Also called: Lead Pastor, Senior Minister
Leads a large church — preaching each week, guiding staff, and setting the vision for thousands of members.
Spends Tuesday and Wednesday writing Sunday's sermon, then leads a staff meeting with 30 employees. Visits a member in the hospital, officiates a wedding Saturday, and preaches at three services Sunday.
Pay rises with congregation size; megachurch pastors can earn far more, small rural churches much less.
Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.
Master's degree, about 12 years after high school. Bachelor's plus a 3-year Master of Divinity (MDiv) in most denominations; ordination; 10+ years of ministry.
Ways in: 4-year college, Graduate school, On-the-job training. Training cost: $60k – $150k.
Majors to look at: Theology, Divinity, Religious Studies.
Growing about average (about 3% over 10 years). Approximate; clergy overall.
Low risk for 10 years. AI can help research sermons and handle admin; preaching live, leading staff and caring for a congregation stay human.
Classes: Speech or debate, AP English Language, World religions or history.
Official data: O*NET occupation 21-2011.
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.