Clergy
SOC code 21-2011 · O*NET-SOC 21-2011.00 · Extensive preparation needed
Clergy pay
U.S. national figures, May 2025 BLS survey · How we got this number
Median pay
$60,810
a year
Hourly
$29.24
per hour
The solid band is the middle 50% of workers; the bar spans the 10th to 90th percentile.
Average pay
$66,860
$32.15 per hour
Middle 50%
$48,260 – $76,640
25th to 75th percentile
Full spread
$37,860 – $98,890
10th to 90th percentile
People employed
57,200
nationwide
National U.S. figure, May 2025. Local pay can be higher or lower.
- 10th percentile
- $37,860
- $18.20/hr
- 25th percentile
- $48,260
- $23.20/hr
- Median percentile
- $60,810
- $29.24/hr
- 75th percentile
- $76,640
- $36.85/hr
- 90th percentile
- $98,890
- $47.54/hr
What do 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.
The tasks that matter most day to day
- 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.
How to qualify for this work
Most people in this role hold master's degree — 48% of workers surveyed reported it as their level of education.
Preparation level: zone 5 — Extensive preparation needed
- Education
- Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).
- Experience
- Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.
- Training
- Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training.
Education reported by people doing this job
- Master's Degree48%
- Bachelor's Degree18%
- Some College Courses15%
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)12%
Common questions
How much does a clergy earn?
The national median is $60,810 a year. The full range runs from $37,860 at the 10th percentile to $98,890 at the 90th — entry pay sits closer to the lower figure, and experience, licensing and specialisation move you up the range.
Can you become a clergy without a degree?
Not usually — this occupation sits in preparation zone 5, where the typical entry route is most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree). The education breakdown above shows what people in the role actually reported.
Skills and knowledge you need
Core skills
- Speaking4.8/5
- Active Listening4.3/5
- Reading Comprehension3.9/5
- Writing3.9/5
Knowledge areas
- Philosophy and Theology4.7/5
- English Language4.2/5
- Administration and Management4.1/5
- Customer and Personal Service4.0/5
- Education and Training3.8/5
- Therapy and Counseling3.8/5
- Communications and Media3.7/5
- Psychology3.7/5
Transferable strengths: Social Perceptiveness, Instructing, Service Orientation, Persuasion, Judgment and Decision Making, Time Management.