Minister assistant vs associate pastor

The differences between minister assistants 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 minister assistant and an associate pastor. Additionally, an associate pastor has an average salary of $46,081, which is higher than the $39,430 average annual salary of a minister assistant.

The top three skills for a minister assistant include event planning, youth ministry and pastoral care. The most important skills for an associate pastor are community outreach, pastoral care, and oversight.

Minister assistant vs associate pastor overview

	Minister Assistant	Associate Pastor
Yearly salary	$39,430	$46,081
Hourly rate	$18.96	$22.15
Growth rate	-8%	-
Number of jobs	180	432
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 60%	Bachelor's Degree, 55%
Average age	51	51
Years of experience	4	4

Minister assistant vs associate pastor salary

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

	Minister Assistant	Associate Pastor
Average salary	$39,430	$46,081
Salary range	Between $23,000 And $66,000	Between $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 minister assistant and associate pastor education

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

	Minister Assistant	Associate Pastor
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 60%	Bachelor's Degree, 55%
Most common major	Business	Theology
Most common college	Emory University	North Park University

Minister assistant vs associate pastor demographics

Here are the differences between minister assistants' and associate pastors' demographics:

	Minister Assistant	Associate Pastor
Average age	51	51
Gender ratio	Male, 42.9% Female, 57.1%	Male, 87.6% Female, 12.4%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 11.9% 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 Percentage	16%	16%

Differences between minister assistant and associate pastor duties and responsibilities

Minister assistant example responsibilities.

Lead church to incorporate a vision for integrating evangelistic and discipleship efforts.
Prepare PowerPoint and oral progress reports.
Mentore peer ministers in peer leadership training program.
Conduct market research on foreign automotive industries and markets and compile findings into written reports through PowerPoint presentations.
Provide excellent hospitality services, greeting incoming congregations, and facilitating a welcoming environment each week during service and bible study.
Provide excellent hospitality services, greeting incoming congregations, and facilitating a welcoming environment each week during service and bible study.

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.

Minister assistant vs associate pastor skills

Common minister assistant skills

Event Planning, 23%
Youth Ministry, 21%
Pastoral Care, 19%
Community Services, 19%
PowerPoint, 18%

Common associate pastor skills

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