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Associate pastor vs children's pastor

The differences between associate pastors and children's pastors 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 a children's pastor. Additionally, an associate pastor has an average salary of $46,081, which is higher than the $44,525 average annual salary of a children's pastor.

The top three skills for an associate pastor include community outreach, pastoral care and oversight. The most important skills for a children's pastor are child care, kids, and curriculum development.

Associate pastor vs children's pastor overview

Associate PastorChildren's Pastor
Yearly salary$46,081$44,525
Hourly rate$22.15$21.41
Growth rate--
Number of jobs4328,658
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 55%Bachelor's Degree, 63%
Average age5151
Years of experience44

Associate pastor vs children's pastor salary

Associate pastors and children's pastors have different pay scales, as shown below.

Associate PastorChildren's Pastor
Average salary$46,081$44,525
Salary rangeBetween $29,000 And $71,000Between $26,000 And $75,000
Highest paying CityFremont, CA-
Highest paying stateWest Virginia-
Best paying companyCalvary Church-
Best paying industryEducation-

Differences between associate pastor and children's pastor education

There are a few differences between an associate pastor and a children's pastor in terms of educational background:

Associate PastorChildren's Pastor
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 55%Bachelor's Degree, 63%
Most common majorTheologyTheology
Most common collegeNorth Park UniversityUniversity of Pennsylvania

Associate pastor vs children's pastor demographics

Here are the differences between associate pastors' and children's pastors' demographics:

Associate PastorChildren's Pastor
Average age5151
Gender ratioMale, 87.6% Female, 12.4%Male, 60.9% Female, 39.1%
Race ratioBlack 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, 67.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
LGBT Percentage16%16%

Differences between associate pastor and children's pastor duties and responsibilities

Associate pastor example responsibilities.

  • Manage and provide oversight for the administration of all ministry areas within the organization.
  • Deliver messages base on the bible.
  • Assist children's outreach including VBS and AWANA.
  • Produce services through media development, PowerPoint, sound system, and print materials.
  • Direct all children and youth ministries, including outreach, VBS, missions, and choirs.
  • Implement a comprehensive prayer strategy.
  • Show more

Children's pastor example responsibilities.

  • Create and manage online presence via Facebook.
  • Organize and lead weekly youth group meetings as well as retreats for jr. and sr. high students.
  • Schedule appointments; coordinate summer camps, VBS and all meetings for the children's ministry.
  • Work with children in the VBS.
  • Handle administrative responsibilities and policy development, keep volunteer records and develop a vision manual and serve on leadership team.
  • Handle administrative responsibilities and policy development, keep volunteer records and develop a vision manual and serve on leadership team.

Associate pastor vs children's pastor skills

Common associate pastor skills
  • Community Outreach, 20%
  • Pastoral Care, 12%
  • Oversight, 9%
  • Youth Ministry, 5%
  • Youth Program, 4%
  • Public Speaking, 4%
Common children's pastor skills
  • Child Care, 35%
  • Kids, 12%
  • Curriculum Development, 11%
  • Outreach Events, 6%
  • Ministry Programs, 5%
  • Children Birth, 3%

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