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Job outlook for youth group leaders in the United States
Youth group leader job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected youth group leader job growth rate is 12% from 2018-2028.
About 20,400 new jobs for youth group leaders are projected over the next decade.
Youth group leader salaries have increased 8% for youth group leaders in the last 5 years.
There are over 11,843 youth group leaders currently employed in the United States.
There are 39,898 active youth group leader job openings in the US.
The average youth group leader salary is $27,909.
Are youth group leader jobs in demand?
Youth group leader job and salary trends over time
Youth group leader jobs over time
Youth group leader job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 11,843 | 0.00% |
| 2020 | 11,797 | 0.00% |
| 2019 | 11,847 | 0.00% |
| 2018 | 11,348 | 0.00% |
| 2017 | 10,739 | 0.00% |
Average youth group leader salary over time
Youth group leader salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $27,909 | $13.42 | +3.6% |
| 2024 | $26,927 | $12.95 | +2.8% |
| 2023 | $26,193 | $12.59 | +1.9% |
| 2022 | $25,704 | $12.36 | --0.9% |
| 2021 | $25,936 | $12.47 | +1.8% |
Youth group leader jobs by state
Most common states for youth group leaders
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 244 | 35% |
| 2 | Alaska | 739,795 | 175 | 24% |
| 3 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 1,470 | 21% |
| 4 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 153 | 20% |
| 5 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 183 | 17% |
| 6 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 159 | 15% |
| 7 | South Dakota | 869,666 | 128 | 15% |
| 8 | Washington | 7,405,743 | 1,003 | 14% |
| 9 | Oregon | 4,142,776 | 565 | 14% |
| 10 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 277 | 14% |
| 11 | Pennsylvania | 12,805,537 | 1,721 | 13% |
| 12 | New Mexico | 2,088,070 | 204 | 10% |
| 13 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 27 | 5% |
| 14 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 225 | 4% |
| 15 | Delaware | 961,939 | 40 | 4% |
| 16 | New York | 19,849,399 | 530 | 3% |
| 17 | New Jersey | 9,005,644 | 278 | 3% |
| 18 | Arizona | 7,016,270 | 176 | 3% |
| 19 | Connecticut | 3,588,184 | 103 | 3% |
| 20 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 39 | 3% |
Most common cities for youth group leaders
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Danvers | 1 | 4% | $34,016 |
| 2 | Fort Lauderdale | 2 | 1% | $24,054 |
| 3 | Provo | 1 | 1% | $29,839 |
Youth Group Leader job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of youth group leader experts
Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary
The University of Findlay
Bethel University
Kenneth Coley
Senior Professor of Christian Education, Director of Ed.D. StudiesSoutheastern Baptist Theological Seminary
Christian Education
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Youth Group Leader job market given the pandemic?
Kenneth Coley: In our field of religious education, we see trends that are unique to the pandemic and the ripple effect as people consider returning to church. Consistent with every generation of local church ministry pastors and leaders must be passionate about their calling to serve God and His people, have a strong understanding of Scripture, and a servant's heart to shepherd God's people. In the current season these professional and personal qualities need to be communicated digitally and virtually, and this isn't going away.
With many community schools closed, parents are anxious to have their children welcomed back to church in safe environments. Many families will select the church that best meets the needs of their children and teens. Many people are looking for ministers to lead groups who can assist members of their community in serious need of basic food, shelter, and academic tutoring. And with many people being isolated there is an increased need for counseling for both individuals and couples. (Unfortunately, some are predicting an increase in divorce and abuse.)
What skills stand out on Youth Group Leader resumes?
Kenneth Coley: As is the case in any generation-does your resume reveal that you love God's church and His people? Serving. Leading. Teaching. Witnessing in your community and internationally. In a paid capacity is preferred, but even in a volunteer position. Now enter COVID...can you do this creatively? Are you an effective communicator in writing, on camera, and in virtual groups? What technology training do you have?
Effective teaching skills are crucial especially when it comes to engaging group members. As people return, we are seeing an incredible hunger to reconnect with other believers. Teaching that includes engagement and collaboration is essential.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Youth Group Leaders to find work opportunities?
Kenneth Coley: Our Doctor of Education students are having great success at getting positions in higher education, particularly in Online Instruction. Colleges, universities, and seminaries of all sizes are hiring teachers who can be Subject Matter Experts, Instructional Design planners, and teachers who deliver the lessons. Another growing area of opportunity is private schools in locations where public schools have closed their buildings and gone 100% virtual. We are hearing that these schools are experiencing strong increase in enrollment and hiring teachers and administrators.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Youth Group Leader job market given the pandemic?
Dr. Louis Stulman Ph.D.: First, let me say that, like many fields of study, it has been quite challenging for graduates in biblical studies to enter the job market during the pandemic. However, many undergraduates in biblical studies continue their education at seminary in preparation for careers in church-related professions. Others do graduate work for the M.A. and Ph.D. in preparation for teaching positions in colleges, universities, and seminaries. Some do both: they pursue a M.Div. degree, which is the basic degree required by many denominations for ordination and ministry, and a Ph.D which is a prerequisite for teaching in higher education. I should say that still others enter the job market directly and well prepared due to their strong humanities education, which focuses on writing, critical thinking, and understanding diverse religious and cultural traditions, as well as their work in the major, which concentrates on interdisciplinary skills, reading texts proficiently, and engaging in questions of meaning, morality, and service.
What skills stand out on Youth Group Leader resumes?
Dr. Louis Stulman Ph.D.: All of these skills stand out on resumes as well as language proficiency in Hebrew for reading the Old Testament and Greek for reading the New Testament, as well as community service, strong interpersonal skills, and travel and cultural immersion experiences.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Youth Group Leaders to find work opportunities?
Dr. Louis Stulman Ph.D.: We often tell Religious Studies majors to build bridges wherever they find themselves, including and especially their local communities, but at the same time, not to hesitate to venture beyond their "comfortable worlds" to unfamiliar places inundated with needs.
Jessica Tangen Daniels Ph.D.
Associate Provost - Innovation and Partnerships, Program Director/Professor, Ed.D. Leadership in Higher EducationBethel University
Education Leadership
What soft skills should all Youth Group Leaders possess?
Jessica Tangen Daniels Ph.D.: With the rapid rate of change, accelerating information turnover, and boundless access to knowledge, certain new soft skills may now be prioritized in our current society. So we all have to be learners, seeking new information, anticipating that we will need to change our mind, and striving for a disposition of curiosity. The specific skill of asking good questions cannot be underestimated.
Employers may be seeking skills like imaginative bridging, humbly and curiously connecting dots. Or the skills of facilitation and curation, with so many different perspectives and lived experiences, and an overabundance of information, an educational leader, must manage people, perspectives, and content like never before.
Employers are looking for skills that relate to not only the day-to-day tactical aspects of educational leadership but also imaginative problem-solving for a thriving future.
What skills will help Youth Group Leaders earn the most?
Jessica Tangen Daniels Ph.D.: For educational leaders, I'm not convinced discrete skills equate to salary. Working hard and working well with others, with a disposition of humility and curiosity, is really powerful. Perhaps the combination of soft and hard skills gained through diverse experiences, positions, and institutional contexts results in the highest earning potential.