Minister of religion
Also known as: minister of the church, deacon, bishop, nun, priest, church minister
About this occupation
Ministers of religion lead religious organisations or communities, perform spiritual and religious ceremonies and provide spiritual guidance to members of a particular religious group. They may undertake missionary work, pastoral or preaching work, or work within a religious order or community, such as a monastery or convent. Ministers of religion perform duties such as leading worship services, giving religious education, officiating at funerals and marriages, counselling congregation members and offer a range of other community services, both in conjunction with the organisation they work for, and through their own personal day to day activities.
Essential skills and knowledge
- prepare religious services
- observe confidentiality
- promote religious activities
- build community relations
- respond to enquiries
- show intercultural awareness
- perform religious ceremonies
- perform religious rituals
- show empathy
- supervise religious organisations
- foster dialogue in society
- provide social counselling
Typical tasks and preparation
From the related US occupation profile Clergy (O*NET 21-2011.00). Linked by an official crosswalk: related, not identical; details vary by country.
- 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.
- Typical education (US)
- Master's Degree
- Preparation
- Job Zone 5 of 5
- Interests
- Social, Enterprising, Artistic
Top skills: Speaking, Active Listening, Social Perceptiveness, Instructing, Service Orientation, Reading Comprehension
US median pay: US$60,810 a year (2025), 57,200 employed. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Subjects this work relies on
How important each subject's knowledge is in the job itself, rated by people doing it (1 to 5).
- Divinity or PhilosophyO*NET: Philosophy and TheologyExtremely important (4.7)
- English or Literature in EnglishO*NET: English LanguageVery important (4.2)
- Business Studies or EntrepreneurshipO*NET: Administration and ManagementVery important (4.1)
- Media StudiesO*NET: Communications and MediaVery important (3.7)
- PsychologyO*NET: PsychologyVery important (3.7)
- SociologyO*NET: Sociology and AnthropologyVery important (3.6)
- Fine Art or Music or Drama and TheatreO*NET: Fine ArtsImportant (3.2)
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. 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. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Preparation needed
Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed
- Most common education (US)
- Master's Degree
- Education
- Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).
- Experience
- Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.
- Training
- Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training.
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. 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. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Related occupations
Occupations O*NET links to this one by similar work, skills and knowledge.
- Directors, Religious Activities and Education
- Child, Family, and School Social Workers
- Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors
- Social and Human Service Assistants
- Social and Community Service Managers
- Philosophy and Religion Teachers, Postsecondary
- Community Health Workers
- Marriage and Family Therapists
- Healthcare Social Workers
- Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. 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. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.