Post job

Deacon vs associate pastor

The differences between deacons and associate pastors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a deacon and an associate pastor. Additionally, a deacon has an average salary of $49,574, which is higher than the $46,081 average annual salary of an associate pastor.

The top three skills for a deacon include pastoral care, community outreach and bible study. The most important skills for an associate pastor are community outreach, pastoral care, and oversight.

Deacon vs associate pastor overview

DeaconAssociate Pastor
Yearly salary$49,574$46,081
Hourly rate$23.83$22.15
Growth rate--
Number of jobs117432
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 52%Bachelor's Degree, 55%
Average age5151
Years of experience44

Deacon vs associate pastor salary

Deacons and associate pastors have different pay scales, as shown below.

DeaconAssociate Pastor
Average salary$49,574$46,081
Salary rangeBetween $26,000 And $92,000Between $29,000 And $71,000
Highest paying City-Fremont, CA
Highest paying state-West Virginia
Best paying company-Calvary Church
Best paying industry-Education

Differences between deacon and associate pastor education

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

DeaconAssociate Pastor
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 52%Bachelor's Degree, 55%
Most common majorTheologyTheology
Most common collegeEmory UniversityNorth Park University

Deacon vs associate pastor demographics

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

DeaconAssociate Pastor
Average age5151
Gender ratioMale, 79.7% Female, 20.3%Male, 87.6% Female, 12.4%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 11.8% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 9.1% Asian, 6.7% White, 68.0% 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 Percentage16%16%

Differences between deacon and associate pastor duties and responsibilities

Deacon example responsibilities.

  • Lead Jr and Sr high youth ministries.
  • Coordinate serving and prayer schedules.
  • Develop and participate in leadership workshops for new leaders and assist new leaders in assuming leadership responsibilities.
  • Develop deacons in fulfilling their respective leadership obligations.

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

Deacon vs associate pastor skills

Common deacon skills
  • Pastoral Care, 46%
  • Community Outreach, 26%
  • Bible Study, 8%
  • Prayer, 8%
  • Oversight, 7%
  • Leadership Meetings, 5%
Common associate pastor skills
  • Community Outreach, 20%
  • Pastoral Care, 12%
  • Oversight, 9%
  • Youth Ministry, 5%
  • Youth Program, 4%
  • Public Speaking, 4%

Browse community and social services jobs