Clergy

Median salary, education path, job outlook, and related careers — based on U.S. labor data.

What a Clergy does

Provide spiritual leadership and pastoral care to members of a faith community through services, counseling, and community outreach. They address the spiritual and emotional needs of congregants and often engage in social service work.

Education & path

The typical entry point is a master's degree. About 6 years (bachelor's + ~2-year master's).

Estimated cost of that path: ~$70,000. Estimated payback: ~6 years. Estimates only — actual cost varies widely by school and financial aid; payback assumes ~20% of income applied.

Related careers

• Social and Human Service Assistants — $45,930/yr
• Child, Family, and School Social Workers — $59,550/yr
• Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors — $64,330/yr
• Healthcare Social Workers — $67,880/yr
• Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers — $60,280/yr