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The differences between senior pastors and associate ministers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a senior pastor and an associate minister. Additionally, a senior pastor has an average salary of $45,556, which is higher than the $42,855 average annual salary of an associate minister.
The top three skills for a senior pastor include community outreach, pastoral care and overseer. The most important skills for an associate minister are community outreach, pastoral care, and bible study.
| Senior Pastor | Associate Minister | |
| Yearly salary | $45,556 | $42,855 |
| Hourly rate | $21.90 | $20.60 |
| Growth rate | - | - |
| Number of jobs | 466 | 143 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 49% | Bachelor's Degree, 54% |
| Average age | 51 | 51 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
Senior pastors take responsibility in offering pastoral care and spiritual leadership in churches and parishes. They engage in community events, especially those with a religious theme. Their other duties and responsibilities include teaching, management, and preaching. They also oversee the management of the ministry of the congregation. The qualities of senior pastors include being accountable, humble, loyal, and honest. They should also be compassionate and loving to those they serve within the congregation.
The primary duty of an Associate Minister is to help the head pastor lead the church. Their primary duties include teaching the Bible, praying with church members, and representing the head pastor at committee.
Senior pastors and associate ministers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Senior Pastor | Associate Minister | |
| Average salary | $45,556 | $42,855 |
| Salary range | Between $29,000 And $71,000 | Between $28,000 And $65,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Diego, CA | - |
| Highest paying state | California | - |
| Best paying company | Bethel Church | - |
| Best paying industry | Education | - |
There are a few differences between a senior pastor and an associate minister in terms of educational background:
| Senior Pastor | Associate Minister | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 49% | Bachelor's Degree, 54% |
| Most common major | Theology | Theology |
| Most common college | Emory University | Emory University |
Here are the differences between senior pastors' and associate ministers' demographics:
| Senior Pastor | Associate Minister | |
| Average age | 51 | 51 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 92.2% Female, 7.8% | Male, 76.0% Female, 24.0% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 11.7% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 8.9% Asian, 6.6% White, 68.4% 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% |