Is clergy a good career?
It scores 13/100 and ranks #581 of 825 occupations on pay, growth, employment and openings. Here's what the federal data says, with no editorializing.
Advantages
- High volume of openings — about 23,000 a year
Possible tradeoffs
- Slower-than-average projected growth (+1.0%)
- Typically requires a bachelor's degree
What clergy earn
Wages: BLS OEWS May 2025Pay is a range, not a number. Half of U.S. clergy earn between $48,260 and $76,640 a year.
Best-paying states
Best-paying metros
Live clergy jobs
No live clergy openings yet
When the jobs.best ATS feed launches, verified clergy openings will appear here — each shown against the $60,810 national median. Nothing here is placeholder.
No placeholder listings · nothing inventedHow to become a clergy
- Typical education
- Bachelor's degree
- Work experience
- None
- On-the-job training
- Moderate-term on-the-job training
Related occupations
How much do clergy make?
The national median wage is $60,810 a year, with the middle half earning between $48,260 and $76,640 (BLS OEWS May 2025).
Is clergy a good career?
On the Jobs.best index it scores 13 of 100 and ranks #581 of 825 occupations, weighing pay, growth, employment and openings. Employment is projected to change +1.0% through 2034.
What education do you need to become a clergy?
The typical entry-level education is bachelor's degree.
Where do clergy earn the most?
Among states, Washington pays the highest median ($80,830). Local pay for every state and metro is below.