How to Find Out How Much a Pastor Makes

Larger churches often have more than one pastor on staff. These clergy people often perform different job responsibilities and, as a result, receive different levels of compensation. Senior pastors usually earn the most, with other church staff salaries varying widely. Associate pastors sometimes earn significantly less, particularly if their work is part-time.

Pastoral Staff Description

The role of a church pastor varies by denomination and congregation. Typically, however, pastors perform some or all of the following duties:

• Leading church worship services
• Preaching
• Officiating at rites and sacraments, including baptisms, weddings and funerals
• Providing pastoral care, including visiting new members, the homebound and the ill
• Providing pastoral counseling to those who need ongoing support
• Leading church community meetings
• Teaching religious doctrine to the congregation
• Participating in larger community events
• Leading youth and other age-segregated activities
• Developing and overseeing outreach and charitable programs

In smaller churches, a senior pastor may perform all of these duties herself, though she may have support from volunteers within the congregation. In a multi-staff congregation, ministers may have specific roles that they perform in accordance with personal preference or vocational training and expertise. As ChurchLawandTax.com notes on its Church Salary page, a church may employ:

• A Senior Pastor who is the primary preacher and worship leader and who holds significant administrative power in the church
• An Executive Pastor who oversees staff and ministry development
• A Minister of Pastoral Care and Counseling, who focuses on visiting parishioners and providing counseling as needed
• A Pastor of Education who focuses on Sunday School and other educational programs for children and adults
• A Youth Minister who leads youth activities and provides specialized care and counsel to this age group

Pastoral Staff Education Requirements

O*Net Online notes that most clergies have at least a master's degree and, indeed, many established Christian denominations require their pastors to hold the Master of Divinity, a three-year professional degree that trains students for full-time-professional ministry positions. However, not all churches require the M.Div. and some require no real formal training at all.

It is not unusual, however, for clergy to sometimes hold degrees in other areas, especially if they are working in a specialized ministry field. For example, clergy who work as ministers of pastoral care and counseling may hold a Master of Divinity degree with a concentration in pastoral care and counseling, a master's degree specifically in pastoral counseling, or, in some cases, a second master's degree in a mental health field. The same may also be true for ministers of education who may have specialized degrees or credentials in the area of teaching and educational theory.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median salary for clergy as of May 2019 was $50,400 and there is no breaking out of senior pastor vs. associate pastor salary figures. This means that 50 percent of the clergy made more than this amount and 50 percent made less. Church staff pay is often dependent on the budget of a congregation, which can lead to salaries that vary significantly between churches.

Pastoral Staff Industry

Pastors typically work in church buildings where they have an office. However, it is not at all unusual for ministers to also spend time away from the church as they travel to meet with parishioners, visit hospitals and nursing homes or attend community and denominational functions. Clergy often work at least 40 hours per week, and may be expected to work in the evenings and be on call in case of emergencies. In most Christian denominations, Sunday is a primary day of worship, so pastors may take Mondays off in addition to Saturdays.

Years of Experience

Both senior and associate pastors can expect to earn more as they progress in their careers. A survey by PayScale.com showed that senior pastors saw the following growth in compensation:

• Less than 1 year experience: $39,813 (21 respondents)
• 1-5 years experience: $48,885 (253 salaries)
• 5-9 years of experience: $56,463 (435 salaries)
• 10-19 years of experience: $61,410 (1,127 salaries)
• 20+ years of experience: $66,662

Pastoral Staff Growth Trend

O*Net Online states that the clergy will see job growth of four to six percent between 2018 and 2028, which is considered to be average growth. Employment prospects can vary significantly between denominations as well as geographical location.

How to Find Out How Much a Pastor Makes

Source: https://work.chron.com/pastoral-staff-salaries-4808.html

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