Senior pastor vs priest

The differences between senior pastors and priests 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 a priest. Additionally, a senior pastor has an average salary of $45,556, which is higher than the $44,712 average annual salary of a priest.

The top three skills for a senior pastor include community outreach, pastoral care and overseer. The most important skills for a priest are pastoral care, spiritual care, and educational programs.

Senior pastor vs priest overview

	Senior Pastor	Priest
Yearly salary	$45,556	$44,712
Hourly rate	$21.90	$21.50
Growth rate	-	-
Number of jobs	466	80
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 49%	Bachelor's Degree, 45%
Average age	51	51
Years of experience	4	4

Senior pastor vs priest salary

Senior pastors and priests have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Senior Pastor	Priest
Average salary	$45,556	$44,712
Salary range	Between $29,000 And $71,000	Between $24,000 And $82,000
Highest paying City	San Diego, CA	Campbell, CA
Highest paying state	California	Maine
Best paying company	Bethel Church	Prime Healthcare
Best paying industry	Education	Non Profits

Differences between senior pastor and priest education

There are a few differences between a senior pastor and a priest in terms of educational background:

	Senior Pastor	Priest
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 49%	Bachelor's Degree, 45%
Most common major	Theology	Theology
Most common college	Emory University	Emory University

Senior pastor vs priest demographics

Here are the differences between senior pastors' and priests' demographics:

	Senior Pastor	Priest
Average age	51	51
Gender ratio	Male, 92.2% Female, 7.8%	Male, 71.1% Female, 28.9%
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, 11.7% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 9.0% Asian, 6.6% White, 68.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
LGBT Percentage	16%	16%

Differences between senior pastor and priest duties and responsibilities

Senior pastor example responsibilities.

Manage and provide oversight for the administration of all ministry areas within the organization.
Emphasize Christ-centered teaching, fervent prayer, multilevel family Christian education programs, evangelism and mission outreaches.
Encourage servant evangelism and outreach through numerous community service projects i.e.
Major responsibilities include purchasing or developing curriculum, group leadership, volunteer recruitment and training.
Major responsibilities include purchasing or developing curriculum, group leadership, volunteer recruitment and training.

Priest example responsibilities.

Lead Jr and Sr high youth ministries.
Commence a teleconference prayer program to serve church members and the community.
Engage and encourage urban working class congregation through preaching, prayer and share community service.
Participate in all phases of parish life in assignments in inner city, suburban, and rural parishes.
Serve, support and encourage the pastoral leadership by providing oversight of the spiritual health and care of the church body.
Develop and participate in leadership workshops for new leaders and assist new leaders in assuming leadership responsibilities.

Senior pastor vs priest skills

Common senior pastor skills

Community Outreach, 22%
Pastoral Care, 11%
Overseer, 8%
Bible Study, 6%
GOD, 5%
Funeral Services, 4%

Common priest skills

Pastoral Care, 28%
Spiritual Care, 13%
Educational Programs, 7%
Financial Statements, 6%
CPE, 6%
Spiritual Support, 5%