Becoming a Minister via Online Education?
At the very least, online education can help you lay a foundation and/or open up alternate career paths.
Liberty University Online
is a US school (accredited) offering pastoral counseling courses to train individuals
to become top-notch
pastoral counselors,
pastors,
counselors,
christian counselors,
youth pastors, etc.
Currently, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics there are 42,670 people employed as
clergy alone in America, and their average annual salary is
$46,960.
Colleges and universities like Liberty University Online that provide online education are successfully launching workers into
this
field.
Typical Work Locations for a Minister
- parliament
- sports department
- government agency
- prison
- ministers office
- board meeting
- public ground
- defense office
- cabinet
- aircraft
Potential Advantages and Benefits of Working as a Minister
- working with other ministers
- fund raising
- team building
- paid by generous giving
- praying
- understanding mission and methods
- evangelism
- discipleship
- accountability throughout
- discerning god's will
Potential Drawbacks
- dealing with issues of a congregation
- dealing with issues of individuals and families
- no income with a level one job
- entry level jobs are usually located in isolated rural areas
- fewer job opportunities in the upper echelons
- less opportunity to relocate
- more competition at higher levels leading to depression
- many are forced to work part time outside the church for income
- surplus of clergy resulting in ministers looking for new careers
- scrutinize lifestyle
Related Professions to Consider
- Christian Education Minister
- Divinity/Ministry
- Children's Minister
- Trinity Episcopal School for Ministry
- Youth Minister
- Campus Ministry
- Ordained Minister
- Assistant Minister
- Marriage Counselor Minister
- Adult Ministries Director
Possible Interview Questions When Applying to be a Minister
- Why do you want to be a minister?
- What is your religion?
- Do you see yourself more as a leader or a counselor?
- Are you willing to be available for people 24/7?
- Are you willing to do weddings and funerals?
- How do you deal with conflict within a congragation?
- What are your ideas on how a church should grow?
- How would you keep a church that is big in numbers small for it's members?
- What are your weaknesses?
- What are your strengths?
Common Collaborating Professions
- finance minister
- prime minister
- health minister
- research minister
- occupational minister
- education minister
- defense minister
- childrens' minister
- Chapel Minister
- Youth Minister
Minister Training books
Minister (More) Popular books
Potential Companies to Work For
Common College Majors
- Theology
- Ministry
- Church Organization and Management
- Youth Ministry
- Bible
- Church History
- Christian Ethics
- Philosophy
- World Religions
- Homiletics
Minister Salary Information
Category: Clergy
| Total # Employed in the US |
42,670 |
| Average Hourly Wage: |
$22.58/hr |
| Hourly Wage Range |
| PERCENTILE |
| 10% | 25% | 50% | 75% | 90% |
| $11.03 |
$14.89 |
$20.65 |
$27.4 |
$36.21 |
|
| Average Yearly Salary |
$46,960 |
| Yearly Salary Range |
| PERCENTILE |
| 10% | 25% | 50% | 75% | 90% |
| $22,940 |
$30,970 |
$42,950 |
$56,990 |
$75,320 |
|
| Employment Demographics |
| % OF WORKERS WITH |
| < High School Diploma |
High School Diploma |
Some College |
Associate Degree |
Bachelor Degree |
Master Degree |
Doctoral Degree |
| 2.8% |
7.2% |
11.7% |
4.1% |
24.3% |
34.3% |
15.7% |
|
Clergy — WAGES BY STATE, SORTED BY SALARY
| STATE | Average Hourly Wage | Average Annual Salary |
|---|
| New York |
$29.39/hr
|
$61,130
|
| Colorado |
$29.05/hr
|
$60,430
|
| Delaware |
$26.83/hr
|
$55,800
|
| Florida |
$26.2/hr
|
$54,490
|
| Missouri |
$25.83/hr
|
$53,730
|
| North Dakota |
$24.96/hr
|
$51,930
|
| Oklahoma |
$24.52/hr
|
$51,000
|
| North Carolina |
$23.35/hr
|
$48,560
|
| Mississippi |
$23.2/hr
|
$48,260
|
| District of Columbia |
$23.11/hr
|
$48,060
|
| Connecticut |
$22.89/hr
|
$47,620
|
| Tennessee |
$22.79/hr
|
$47,410
|
| Maryland |
$22.76/hr
|
$47,350
|
| Puerto Rico |
$22.54/hr
|
$46,870
|
| Oregon |
$22.48/hr
|
$46,750
|
| Wisconsin |
$22.2/hr
|
$46,180
|
| Idaho |
$22.14/hr
|
$46,050
|
| Iowa |
$21.65/hr
|
$45,040
|
| Nebraska |
$21.57/hr
|
$44,870
|
| New Hampshire |
$21.42/hr
|
$44,560
|
| West Virginia |
$21.14/hr
|
$43,960
|
| Hawaii |
$21.1/hr
|
$43,890
|
| Maine |
$20.67/hr
|
$42,990
|
| Indiana |
$20.52/hr
|
$42,670
|
| Kansas |
$20.37/hr
|
$42,360
|
| Washington |
$20.19/hr
|
$41,990
|
| California |
$20.05/hr
|
$41,700
|
| Wyoming |
$20.03/hr
|
$41,660
|
| Virginia |
$20.03/hr
|
$41,670
|
| Massachusetts |
$20.01/hr
|
$41,620
|
| Alabama |
$19.75/hr
|
$41,090
|
| New Mexico |
$19.61/hr
|
$40,800
|
| Montana |
$19.54/hr
|
$40,640
|
| South Carolina |
$19.46/hr
|
$40,490
|
| Alaska |
$19.44/hr
|
$40,440
|
| South Dakota |
$19.27/hr
|
$40,080
|
| Utah |
$19.21/hr
|
$39,960
|
| New Jersey |
$19.14/hr
|
$39,800
|
| Louisiana |
$19.04/hr
|
$39,610
|
| Guam |
$18.31/hr
|
$38,090
|
| Kentucky |
$18.24/hr
|
$37,940
|
| Arkansas |
$18.23/hr
|
$37,920
|
| Pennsylvania |
$18.07/hr
|
$37,590
|
| Michigan |
$17.07/hr
|
$35,490
|
| Ohio |
$16.84/hr
|
$35,020
|
| Nevada |
$16.82/hr
|
$34,990
|
