How to become a Clergy
Also called: Bishop, Chaplain, Children's Minister, Imam, Minister, Pastor, Priest, Rabbi, Rector, Worship Pastor
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.
Main tasks
- 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 become one
Typical education to start: Bachelor's degree
Pay · Outlook · AI and this job
- Median pay: $60,810 a year The middle half earn $48,260 to $76,640.
- About 242,000 people work in this job now, and about 247,800 are projected by 2035. (+2.4%)
- People already use generative AI for a good share of this work, which usually changes the job more than it replaces it. Microsoft Research rates its AI applicability as high.
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Questions people ask
How much does a Clergy earn in the US?
Median full-time pay is $60,810 a year (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). The middle half earn $48,260 to $76,640.
Is a Clergy a growing career in the US?
Yes. Employment is projected to grow 2% by 2035, from about 242,000 to about 247,800 people (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics).
Do you need a degree to become a Clergy?
Usually. 75% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Will AI change the work of a Clergy?
People already use generative AI for a good share of this work, which usually changes the job more than it replaces it. Microsoft Research rates its AI applicability as high.
Sources
- Microsoft Research: Working with AI: AI applicability by occupation (2025-12-22 (built on O*NET 29.0)), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-03
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Employment Projections (2025-35 (released 2026-08-27)), Public domain (BLS), retrieved 2026-10-03
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Public domain (BLS), retrieved 2026-10-03
Updated 2026-10-03
This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.