Clergy
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.
- Median pay
- $60,810
- Doing it now
- 242,000
- By 2035
- Up 2.4%
- Usually needs
- Bachelor's degree
a year
across the country
19,200 openings a year
to get in
What the work involves
- Pray and promote spirituality.
- Read from sacred texts, such as the Bible, Torah, or Koran.
- Prepare and deliver sermons or other talks.
- Organize and lead regular religious services.
- Share information about religious issues by writing articles, giving speeches, or teaching.
- Instruct people who seek conversion to a particular faith.
- Counsel individuals or groups concerning their spiritual, emotional, or personal needs.
What to study
The fields of study the Department of Education links to this occupation, most widely taught first.
- Theological and Ministerial StudiesSee 266 colleges that teach it
- Pastoral Counseling and Specialized MinistriesSee 168 colleges that teach it
- Mental and Social Health Services and Allied ProfessionsSee 138 colleges that teach it
Who it suits
O*NET scores every occupation on six interest dimensions. This one leans hardest on these three.
Helping and teaching
Leading and persuading
Creative and expressive
Careers like this one
Where this comes from: the description and the task list are O*NET, which the Department of Labor maintains. Pay, workforce size, outlook and the education normally needed are the Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections programme, 2025 wages and 2025 to 2035 projections. Half of them earn more than $60,810 a year, which means half earn less, and what you would earn depends on where you work and how long you have been doing it. The fields of study come from the National Center for Education Statistics crosswalk.