How to become a religion worker
Official title: Religion workers
Also called: Novice - religion, Brother/sister - religion, Sister/brother - religion, Home mission worker - religion, Cantor, Deacon, Hazzan, Exegete, Panthee, Deaconess, Postulant, Missionary
Religion workers include brothers, nuns, monks, religious education workers and others who provide support to ministers of religion or to a religious community and who perform certain functions associated with the practice of a religion. They may perform these duties in churches, synagogues, temples or other places of worship; in institutions such as schools, hospitals and prisons; or in industrial facilities, corporate enterprises; or they may work in private practice.
Main tasks
- Assist at services of public worship and religious rites
- Provide religious education, spiritual guidance and moral support to members of a religious community
- Conduct outreach activities and facilitate community involvement
- Administer programs providing food, clothing and shelter
- May plan, organize and lead worship services and church activities for a specific audience
How to become one
Completion of college, university or other program in religious studies may be required, depending on the particular occupation and religion. There may be other employment requirements depending on the particular occupation and religion.
Ways in
- University: Education & Teaching degrees, Offered by 16 universities in Canada
- University: Business & Commerce degrees, Offered by 17 universities in Canada
Pay · Outlook
- Median pay: $39,371 a year The middle half earn $33,150 to $48,750.
- About 6,500 people worked in this job in 2023, and about 6,500 are projected by 2033. (+0%)
- Projected labour market to 2033: balance.
Related jobs
- Paralegals and related occupations
- Social and community service workers
- Early childhood educators and assistants
- Instructors of persons with disabilities
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Questions people ask
How do I become a religion worker?
Completion of college, university or other program in religious studies may be required, depending on the particular occupation and religion. There may be other employment requirements depending on the particular occupation and religion.
How much does a religion worker earn in Canada?
Median full-time pay is $39,371 a year (Employment and Social Development Canada (Job Bank)). The middle half earn $33,150 to $48,750.
Is a religion worker a growing career in Canada?
Employment is projected to stay about the same by 2033: about 6,500 people now and 6,500 later (Employment and Social Development Canada).
Do you need a degree to become a religion worker?
Not always. 55% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Ways in include: Education & Teaching degrees; Business & Commerce degrees.
Sources
- Statistics Canada: Census 2021: employment by occupation, gender and education (98-10-0449) (2021 Census), Statistics Canada Open Licence, retrieved 2026-10-03
- Statistics Canada: National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021 (Version 1.0), Open Government Licence - Canada, retrieved 2026-10-03
- Employment and Social Development Canada: Canadian Occupational Projection System (COPS) (2024 to 2033), Open Government Licence - Canada, retrieved 2026-10-03
- Employment and Social Development Canada (Job Bank): Wages by occupation (2025 (revised 2025-11-19)), Open Government Licence - Canada, retrieved 2026-10-03
Updated 2026-10-03