Church secretary vs church administrator

The differences between church secretaries and church administrators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 1-2 years to become a church secretary, becoming a church administrator takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, a church administrator has an average salary of $62,646, which is higher than the $32,325 average annual salary of a church secretary.

The top three skills for a church secretary include payroll, office equipment and scheduling appointments. The most important skills for a church administrator are payroll, personnel policies, and office equipment.

Church secretary vs church administrator overview

	Church Secretary	Church Administrator
Yearly salary	$32,325	$62,646
Hourly rate	$15.54	$30.12
Growth rate	-8%	-8%
Number of jobs	7,909	51,544
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 40%	Bachelor's Degree, 55%
Average age	50	47
Years of experience	2	6

Church secretary vs church administrator salary

Church secretaries and church administrators have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Church Secretary	Church Administrator
Average salary	$32,325	$62,646
Salary range	Between $25,000 And $41,000	Between $39,000 And $98,000
Highest paying City	Columbia, MO	-
Highest paying state	Washington	-
Best paying company	First United Church of Christ	-
Best paying industry	Manufacturing	-

Differences between church secretary and church administrator education

There are a few differences between a church secretary and a church administrator in terms of educational background:

	Church Secretary	Church Administrator
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 40%	Bachelor's Degree, 55%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	Western Carolina University	California State University - Bakersfield

Church secretary vs church administrator demographics

Here are the differences between church secretaries' and church administrators' demographics:

	Church Secretary	Church Administrator
Average age	50	47
Gender ratio	Male, 7.9% Female, 92.1%	Male, 31.7% Female, 68.3%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 9.9% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 15.0% Asian, 3.9% White, 66.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%	Black or African American, 13.1% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 16.3% Asian, 5.3% White, 60.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%
LGBT Percentage	6%	8%

Differences between church secretary and church administrator duties and responsibilities

Church secretary example responsibilities.

Manage the church's social media: Facebook, website, and blog.
Manage and oversee all STO relate actions task to OSD impacting future and current operations in STO.
Handle confidential situations and paperwork including weddings, baptisms and funeral arrangements.
Enter collections into Diocesen PDS database.
Coordinate before and after service bible study sessions.
Maintain parish records, via PDS data system.

Church administrator example responsibilities.

Manage the church communication out of office including emails, website & Facebook.
Manage all human resource activities, operational processes and financial oversight.
Maintain and record deposits and financial statements in QuickBooks.
Create and update the church's website and Facebook page as needed.
Ensure the privacy & security of protect health information per HIPAA requirements.
Project presentation graphics (marketing aerials, colore renderings, site overlays & PowerPoint slides).

Church secretary vs church administrator skills

Common church secretary skills

Payroll, 16%
Office Equipment, 10%
Scheduling Appointments, 8%
PowerPoint, 8%
Ministry, 6%
Meeting Minutes, 5%

Common church administrator skills

Payroll, 21%
Personnel Policies, 13%
Office Equipment, 8%
Human Resources, 6%
Travel Arrangements, 4%
PowerPoint, 4%

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Office and Administrative Industry
Church Secretary
Church Secretary vs Church Administrator

Updated January 8, 2025

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