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The differences between 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 a pastor and a youth pastor. Additionally, a pastor has an average salary of $44,787, which is higher than the $39,712 average annual salary of a youth pastor.
The top three skills for a pastor include community outreach, overseer and bible study. The most important skills for a youth pastor are outreach events, disciple, and youth program.
| Pastor | Youth Pastor | |
| Yearly salary | $44,787 | $39,712 |
| Hourly rate | $21.53 | $19.09 |
| Growth rate | - | - |
| Number of jobs | 494 | 3,120 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 51% | Bachelor's Degree, 64% |
| Average age | 51 | 51 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
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.
A Youth Pastor is focused on offering spiritual guidance. They also ensure that the youth ministry is functioning in an effective and focused manner.
Pastors and youth pastors have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Pastor | Youth Pastor | |
| Average salary | $44,787 | $39,712 |
| Salary range | Between $30,000 And $64,000 | Between $31,000 And $50,000 |
| Highest paying City | Worcester, MA | Vancouver, WA |
| Highest paying state | Hawaii | Maine |
| Best paying company | Bethel Church | First Presbyterian Church |
| Best paying industry | Education | Education |
There are a few differences between a pastor and a youth pastor in terms of educational background:
| Pastor | Youth Pastor | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 51% | Bachelor's Degree, 64% |
| Most common major | Theology | Theology |
| Most common college | Emory University | Boston University |
Here are the differences between pastors' and youth pastors' demographics:
| Pastor | Youth Pastor | |
| Average age | 51 | 51 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 87.1% Female, 12.9% | Male, 87.7% Female, 12.3% |
| Race ratio | 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% | 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% |