Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
The differences between associate pastors and associate ministers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both an associate pastor and an associate minister. Additionally, an associate pastor has an average salary of $46,081, which is higher than the $42,855 average annual salary of an associate minister.
The top three skills for an associate pastor include community outreach, pastoral care and oversight. The most important skills for an associate minister are community outreach, pastoral care, and bible study.
| Associate Pastor | Associate Minister | |
| Yearly salary | $46,081 | $42,855 |
| Hourly rate | $22.15 | $20.60 |
| Growth rate | - | - |
| Number of jobs | 432 | 143 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 55% | Bachelor's Degree, 54% |
| Average age | 51 | 51 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
An associate pastor is a church employee who assists the senior pastor with the church's daily operations. His/Her tasks include managing events for church ministries, supervising church volunteers, and assisting with all church services and ceremonies. The skills that an associate pastor should possess to fulfill his/her responsibilities include knowledge of community outreach and youth development and good public speaking skills. The education requirements to qualify for the position include obtaining a college degree in theology or pastoral counsel.
The primary duty of an Associate Minister is to help the head pastor lead the church. Their primary duties include teaching the Bible, praying with church members, and representing the head pastor at committee.
Associate pastors and associate ministers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Associate Pastor | Associate Minister | |
| Average salary | $46,081 | $42,855 |
| Salary range | Between $29,000 And $71,000 | Between $28,000 And $65,000 |
| Highest paying City | Fremont, CA | - |
| Highest paying state | West Virginia | - |
| Best paying company | Calvary Church | - |
| Best paying industry | Education | - |
There are a few differences between an associate pastor and an associate minister in terms of educational background:
| Associate Pastor | Associate Minister | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 55% | Bachelor's Degree, 54% |
| Most common major | Theology | Theology |
| Most common college | North Park University | Emory University |
Here are the differences between associate pastors' and associate ministers' demographics:
| Associate Pastor | Associate Minister | |
| Average age | 51 | 51 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 87.6% Female, 12.4% | Male, 76.0% Female, 24.0% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 11.9% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 9.1% Asian, 6.7% White, 67.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% | Black or African American, 11.9% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 9.1% Asian, 6.7% White, 67.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% |
| LGBT Percentage | 16% | 16% |