Clergy
SOC Code: 21-2011 Job Zone 5: Extensive Preparation Needed
Conduct religious worship and perform other spiritual functions associated with beliefs and practices of religious faith or denomination. Provide spiritual and moral guidance and assistance to members.
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Prevailing Wage Levels (National)
DOL/OFLC prevailing wage thresholds for Clergy. Hourly rates x 2,080 = annual.
FY2027 Weighted Lottery Impact
| Level | Lottery Entries | Est. Selection Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Level I (Entry) | 1 entry | ~16% |
| Level II (Qualified) | 2 entries | ~31% |
| Level III (Experienced) | 3 entries | ~45% |
| Level IV (Expert) | 4 entries | ~61% |
Prevailing Wages by Metro Area
| Metro Area | Level I | Level II | Level III | Level IV |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $61,090 | $88,150 | $115,232 | $142,293 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $55,848 | $74,402 | $92,934 | $111,488 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $55,078 | $73,840 | $92,581 | $111,342 |
| Merced, CA | $49,254 | $69,389 | $89,502 | $109,637 |
| Minot, ND | $44,450 | $64,542 | $84,635 | $104,728 |
| Central East New York nonmetropolitan area | $41,558 | $61,942 | $82,347 | $102,731 |
| Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT | $47,653 | $65,624 | $83,595 | $101,566 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $47,840 | $65,166 | $82,493 | $99,819 |
| Norwich-New London-Willimantic, CT | $48,048 | $65,208 | $82,389 | $99,549 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $52,395 | $67,870 | $83,366 | $98,842 |
H-1B Filing Data
Top H-1B Employers
| Employer | Filings | Avg Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Freedom Life Church International, Inc. | 2 | $57,000 |
| COVENANT MEDICAL CENTER, INC. | 1 | $61,048 |
| The Roman Catholic Diocese of Charlotte | 1 | $51,376 |
Filing Trend
| Year | Filings | Avg Wage |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 1 | $57,000 |
| 2024 | 1 | $51,376 |
| 2025 | 2 | $59,024 |
Key Skills
| Skill | Importance | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Speaking | 4.8 | |
| Active Listening | 4.2 | |
| Social Perceptiveness | 4.1 | |
| Instructing | 4.0 | |
| Service Orientation | 4.0 | |
| Time Management | 3.9 | |
| Reading Comprehension | 3.9 | |
| Persuasion | 3.9 | |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 3.9 | |
| Writing | 3.9 |
Knowledge Areas
| Knowledge | Importance |
|---|---|
| Philosophy and Theology | 4.7 |
| English Language | 4.2 |
| Administration and Management | 4.1 |
| Customer and Personal Service | 4.0 |
| Education and Training | 3.8 |
| Therapy and Counseling | 3.8 |
| Communications and Media | 3.7 |
| Psychology | 3.7 |
Education Requirements
| Education Level | % of Workers |
|---|---|
| Doctoral degree | 47.8% |
| Bachelor's degree | 18.3% |
| Post-secondary certificate | 15.2% |
| High school diploma | 12.2% |
| Post-first professional | 5.1% |
| First professional degree (MD, JD) | 1.3% |
Typical Tasks
- Pray and promote spirituality.
- Read from sacred texts, such as the Bible, Torah, or Koran.
- Prepare and deliver sermons or other talks.
- Organize and lead regular religious services.
- Share information about religious issues by writing articles, giving speeches, or teaching.
- Instruct people who seek conversion to a particular faith.
- Counsel individuals or groups concerning their spiritual, emotional, or personal needs.
- Visit people in homes, hospitals, or prisons to provide them with comfort and support.
Technology Skills
Green = Hot Technology in demand
Facebook Microsoft Excel Microsoft Office software Microsoft Outlook Microsoft PowerPoint Microsoft Word Email software Event scheduling software GroupMe Membership databases Twitter Web browser software
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