How To Become A Worship Leader: What It Is and Career Path

What is a worship leader and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

3 min read

Quoted expert

Dr. Randall Bradley

The average worship leader salary is $47,463. The most common degree is a bachelor's degree degree with an music major. It usually takes 2-4 years of experience to become a worship leader. Worship leaders with a Music Therapist - Board Certified (MT-BC) certification earn more money. Between 2018 and 2028, the career is expected to grow 4% and produce 4,700 job opportunities across the U.S.

What general advice would you give to a worship leader?

Dr. Randall Bradley

Director and Professor, Baylor School of Music

Yes, I believe that the COVID-19 will have a lasting effect on our students and on the church. For starters, it has been more difficult than usual to place our students because church search committees stopped meeting in March, and it was impossible for churches to host our graduates for interviews and meet-and-greet opportunities that are so vital to church placement. However, I believe that some of the enduring impacts of the coronavirus pandemic will be the greater role that technology will play in churches of all sizes moving forward.

Nearly every church I know (even very small ones) has found ways to use technology to remain connected to their worshiping community. I don't think that this development is something that will end with the pandemic. I see our future graduates playing larger roles in helping to prepare worship that communicates not only to those gathered in the worship space live, but also to the virtual worshipers who join in from many other places. Also, the sheer volume of technology that churches have purchased during this time will need to be used in their congregations moving forward.

I also think that future worship leaders will be challenged to discover new ways in which virtual worship can be considered fresh and creative, rather than just an airing of what is in the worship space. Churches are going to demand greater innovation and creativity going forward, and future ministers are going to be challenged at this point. Lastly, I think that once we have all exercised greater dependence on technology during the pandemic, and experienced first-hand its potential for effectiveness, we will never return to our old ways of doing things. These changes will affect the ways in which meetings are held; administrative decisions are made, personnel is managed, and more. These implications will alter the way that worship leaders not only plan and lead worship but also how they implement and administer their ministries.

ScoreWorship LeaderUS Average

Salary

3.7

Avg. Salary $47,463

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

8.2

Growth rate 4%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

2.9

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.44%

Asian 6.64%

Black or African American 11.79%

Hispanic or Latino 9.02%

Unknown 4.00%

White 68.11%

Gender

female 33.22%

male 66.78%

Age - 52

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 52

Stress level

8.2

Stress level is high

7.1 - high

Complexity level

10.0

Complexity level is advanced

7 - challenging

Work life balance

5.3

Work life balance is fair

6.4 - fair

Key steps to become a worship leader

Explore worship leader education requirements

Most common worship leader degrees

Bachelor's

65.3 %

Associate

11.8 %

Master's

10.1 %

Start to develop specific worship leader skills

Skills	Percentages
Bible Studies	9.74%
GOD	9.43%
Set List	8.36%
Sound Equipment	7.27%
PowerPoint	6.97%

Complete relevant worship leader training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 3-6 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New worship leaders learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a worship leader based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real worship leader resumes.

Research worship leader duties and responsibilities

Develop, provide oversight and lead all ministries for middle school and high school students and their parents.
Lead the development of a discipleship program that motivate and equip team leaders to lead evangelistic groups both locally and internationally.
Facilitate spiritual growth of members through small group teaching, devotions, discussion, and prayer.
Provide leadership, including planning and oversight of the weekly gatherings of junior high and high school students.

Get worship leader experience

Generally, it takes 2-4 years to become a worship leader. The most common roles before becoming a worship leader include internship, volunteer team lead and sales associate.

Prepare your worship leader resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your worship leader resume.

You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a worship leader resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

Choose from 10+ customizable worship leader resume templates

Build a professional worship leader resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your worship leader resume.

Apply for worship leader jobs

Now it's time to start searching for a worship leader job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

Browse job boards for relevant postings
Consult your professional network
Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
Watch out for job scams

How did you land your first worship leader job

Reuben Mwanza

Worship Leader

My journey as a Worship leader at Bread of Life Church International has been deeply rooted in my upbringing and personal spiritual growth. Growing up as the child of ministers in the church, I was immersed in the world of worship from a young age. However, it wasn't until 2013 when I experienced a profound transformation in my faith through the gospel of grace that I fully committed myself to the ministry of worship.

From the age of 13, I began actively participating in worship services at my home church in Chipata. Over the years, my passion for leading others into the presence of God only grew stronger. In 2016, I moved to the Copperbelt and had the privilege of serving as one of the Worship leaders at the Ndola branch of Bread of Life Church International. During my time there, I honed my skills and deepened my understanding of the power of worship to unite and inspire believers.

In 2021, I relocated once again, this time to Chililabombwe, where I have continued my journey as a Worship leader at Bread of Life Church International. Each step of my journey has been guided by my unwavering commitment to serving God through music and leading others into meaningful encounters with Him. I am grateful for the opportunities I've had to grow, learn, and inspire others on this incredible journey of faith and worship.