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The differences between senior pastors 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 senior pastor and an associate pastor. Additionally, an associate pastor has an average salary of $46,081, which is higher than the $45,556 average annual salary of a senior pastor.
The top three skills for a senior pastor include community outreach, pastoral care and overseer. The most important skills for an associate pastor are community outreach, pastoral care, and oversight.
| Senior Pastor | Associate Pastor | |
| Yearly salary | $45,556 | $46,081 |
| Hourly rate | $21.90 | $22.15 |
| Growth rate | - | - |
| Number of jobs | 466 | 432 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 49% | Bachelor's Degree, 55% |
| 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.
An associate pastor is a church employee who assists the senior pastor with the church's daily operations. His/Her tasks include managing events for church ministries, supervising church volunteers, and assisting with all church services and ceremonies. The skills that an associate pastor should possess to fulfill his/her responsibilities include knowledge of community outreach and youth development and good public speaking skills. The education requirements to qualify for the position include obtaining a college degree in theology or pastoral counsel.
Senior pastors and associate pastors have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Senior Pastor | Associate Pastor | |
| Average salary | $45,556 | $46,081 |
| Salary range | Between $29,000 And $71,000 | Between $29,000 And $71,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Diego, CA | Fremont, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | West Virginia |
| Best paying company | Bethel Church | Calvary Church |
| Best paying industry | Education | Education |
There are a few differences between a senior pastor and an associate pastor in terms of educational background:
| Senior Pastor | Associate Pastor | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 49% | Bachelor's Degree, 55% |
| Most common major | Theology | Theology |
| Most common college | Emory University | North Park University |
Here are the differences between senior pastors' and associate pastors' demographics:
| Senior Pastor | Associate Pastor | |
| Average age | 51 | 51 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 92.2% Female, 7.8% | Male, 87.6% Female, 12.4% |
| 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% |