Associate pastor vs priest

The differences between associate pastors and priests 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 priest. Additionally, an associate pastor has an average salary of $46,081, which is higher than the $44,712 average annual salary of a priest.

The top three skills for an associate pastor include community outreach, pastoral care and oversight. The most important skills for a priest are pastoral care, spiritual care, and educational programs.

Associate pastor vs priest overview

	Associate Pastor	Priest
Yearly salary	$46,081	$44,712
Hourly rate	$22.15	$21.50
Growth rate	-	-
Number of jobs	432	80
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 55%	Bachelor's Degree, 45%
Average age	51	51
Years of experience	4	4

Associate pastor vs priest salary

Associate pastors and priests have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Associate Pastor	Priest
Average salary	$46,081	$44,712
Salary range	Between $29,000 And $71,000	Between $24,000 And $82,000
Highest paying City	Fremont, CA	Campbell, CA
Highest paying state	West Virginia	Maine
Best paying company	Calvary Church	Prime Healthcare
Best paying industry	Education	Non Profits

Differences between associate pastor and priest education

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

	Associate Pastor	Priest
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 55%	Bachelor's Degree, 45%
Most common major	Theology	Theology
Most common college	North Park University	Emory University

Associate pastor vs priest demographics

Here are the differences between associate pastors' and priests' demographics:

	Associate Pastor	Priest
Average age	51	51
Gender ratio	Male, 87.6% Female, 12.4%	Male, 71.1% Female, 28.9%
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, 11.7% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 9.0% Asian, 6.6% White, 68.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
LGBT Percentage	16%	16%

Differences between associate pastor and priest 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.

Priest example responsibilities.

Lead Jr and Sr high youth ministries.
Commence a teleconference prayer program to serve church members and the community.
Engage and encourage urban working class congregation through preaching, prayer and share community service.
Participate in all phases of parish life in assignments in inner city, suburban, and rural parishes.
Serve, support and encourage the pastoral leadership by providing oversight of the spiritual health and care of the church body.
Develop and participate in leadership workshops for new leaders and assist new leaders in assuming leadership responsibilities.

Associate pastor vs priest skills

Common associate pastor skills

Community Outreach, 20%
Pastoral Care, 12%
Oversight, 9%
Youth Ministry, 5%
Youth Program, 4%
Public Speaking, 4%

Common priest skills

Pastoral Care, 28%
Spiritual Care, 13%
Educational Programs, 7%
Financial Statements, 6%
CPE, 6%
Spiritual Support, 5%