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The differences between missionaries and pastors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a missionary has an average salary of $51,599, which is higher than the $44,787 average annual salary of a pastor.
The top three skills for a missionary include spanish language, community outreach and ministry. The most important skills for a pastor are community outreach, overseer, and bible study.
A missionary is a volunteering individual who is a member of a religious group sent into an area to promote faith or perform ministries of service. Missionaries usually spend a large portion of time in their new community to hone farming, preaching, and socializing skills. Missionaries are either assigned to provide medical help in areas where healthcare is unavailable or teach students in areas where education is not accessible. Before becoming missionaries, candidates must undergo intensive training such as religious instruction and medicine or business training.
Pastors are considered the leader of a church whose primary role is to give sermons to church members. They also have other duties, including conducting worship services, planning weekly sermons, and interpreting scriptures for the congregation. As the church leader, they provide counseling and care to their members and offer support in times of crisis. Their job also allows them to officiate at special events like weddings, baptisms, and confirmations. Also, they are responsible for overseeing and supporting congregation staff and ensuring the functionality of church facilities.
Missionaries and pastors have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Missionary | Pastor | |
| Average salary | $51,599 | $44,787 |
| Salary range | Between $24,000 And $108,000 | Between $30,000 And $64,000 |
| Highest paying City | - | Worcester, MA |
| Highest paying state | - | Hawaii |
| Best paying company | - | Bethel Church |
| Best paying industry | - | Education |
There are a few differences between a missionary and a pastor in terms of educational background:
| Missionary | Pastor | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 52% | Bachelor's Degree, 51% |
| Most common major | Business | Theology |
| Most common college | - | Emory University |
Here are the differences between missionaries' and pastors' demographics:
| Missionary | Pastor | |
| Average age | 49 | 51 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 65.4% Female, 34.6% | Male, 87.1% Female, 12.9% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 8.4% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 13.0% Asian, 9.5% White, 64.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5% | 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 | 28% | 16% |