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Youth pastor vs associate minister

The differences between youth 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 youth pastor and an associate minister. Additionally, an associate minister has an average salary of $42,855, which is higher than the $39,712 average annual salary of a youth pastor.

The top three skills for a youth pastor include outreach events, disciple and youth program. The most important skills for an associate minister are community outreach, pastoral care, and bible study.

Youth pastor vs associate minister overview

Youth PastorAssociate Minister
Yearly salary$39,712$42,855
Hourly rate$19.09$20.60
Growth rate--
Number of jobs3,120143
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 64%Bachelor's Degree, 54%
Average age5151
Years of experience44

What does a youth pastor do?

A Youth Pastor is focused on offering spiritual guidance. They also ensure that the youth ministry is functioning in an effective and focused manner.

What does an associate minister do?

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.

Youth pastor vs associate minister salary

Youth pastors and associate ministers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Youth PastorAssociate Minister
Average salary$39,712$42,855
Salary rangeBetween $31,000 And $50,000Between $28,000 And $65,000
Highest paying CityVancouver, WA-
Highest paying stateMaine-
Best paying companyFirst Presbyterian Church-
Best paying industryEducation-

Differences between youth pastor and associate minister education

There are a few differences between a youth pastor and an associate minister in terms of educational background:

Youth PastorAssociate Minister
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 64%Bachelor's Degree, 54%
Most common majorTheologyTheology
Most common collegeBoston UniversityEmory University

Youth pastor vs associate minister demographics

Here are the differences between youth pastors' and associate ministers' demographics:

Youth PastorAssociate Minister
Average age5151
Gender ratioMale, 87.7% Female, 12.3%Male, 76.0% Female, 24.0%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 11.8% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 9.0% Asian, 6.6% White, 68.1% 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 Percentage16%16%

Differences between youth pastor and associate minister duties and responsibilities

Youth pastor example responsibilities.

  • Develop, provide oversight and lead all ministries for middle school and high school students and their parents.
  • Plan monthly activities, summer camp, teen VBS, and other schedule events.
  • Offer help with additional CRBC events and services (funerals, VBS, etc.
  • Create PowerPoint presentations for community and area businesses at community meetings.
  • Develop all graphics and designs for sermon PowerPoint presentations and ministry events.
  • Maintain regular office hours with primary responsibility being given to leadership within the congregation.
  • Show more

Associate minister example responsibilities.

  • Lead church to incorporate a vision for integrating evangelistic and discipleship efforts.
  • Proclaim and teach gospel of Jesus Christ.
  • Deliver, teach and preach gospel message to congregation on a monthly basis.
  • Provide stability and oversight during rector's resignation and parish's transition to new rector.
  • Provide direction and assist in the development of children's ministries and programming with oversight of volunteer children's ministry staff.
  • Prepare weekly bulletin, newsletter, PowerPoint and other products as needed (flyers, posters, brochures, etc . )
  • Show more

Youth pastor vs associate minister skills

Common youth pastor skills
  • Outreach Events, 20%
  • Disciple, 12%
  • Youth Program, 11%
  • Bible Study, 6%
  • Oversight, 4%
  • Public Speaking, 4%
Common associate minister skills
  • Community Outreach, 18%
  • Pastoral Care, 11%
  • Bible Study, 10%
  • Youth Ministry, 5%
  • Oversight, 5%
  • Evangelism, 4%

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