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The differences between associate pastors and youth 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 youth pastor. Additionally, an associate pastor has an average salary of $46,081, which is higher than the $39,712 average annual salary of a youth pastor.
The top three skills for an associate pastor include community outreach, pastoral care and oversight. The most important skills for a youth pastor are outreach events, disciple, and youth program.
| Associate Pastor | Youth Pastor | |
| Yearly salary | $46,081 | $39,712 |
| Hourly rate | $22.15 | $19.09 |
| Growth rate | - | - |
| Number of jobs | 432 | 3,120 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 55% | Bachelor's Degree, 64% |
| 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.
A Youth Pastor is focused on offering spiritual guidance. They also ensure that the youth ministry is functioning in an effective and focused manner.
Associate pastors and youth pastors have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Associate Pastor | Youth Pastor | |
| Average salary | $46,081 | $39,712 |
| Salary range | Between $29,000 And $71,000 | Between $31,000 And $50,000 |
| Highest paying City | Fremont, CA | Vancouver, WA |
| Highest paying state | West Virginia | Maine |
| Best paying company | Calvary Church | First Presbyterian Church |
| Best paying industry | Education | Education |
There are a few differences between an associate pastor and a youth pastor in terms of educational background:
| Associate Pastor | Youth Pastor | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 55% | Bachelor's Degree, 64% |
| Most common major | Theology | Theology |
| Most common college | North Park University | Boston University |
Here are the differences between associate pastors' and youth pastors' demographics:
| Associate Pastor | Youth Pastor | |
| Average age | 51 | 51 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 87.6% Female, 12.4% | Male, 87.7% Female, 12.3% |
| 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, 11.8% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 9.0% Asian, 6.6% White, 68.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% |
| LGBT Percentage | 16% | 16% |