Clergy
SOC Code: 21-2011
Clergy carries a 19% AI exposure score (Low automation risk), with a median annual wage of $60,820 and +1.0% projected employment growth from 2024 to 2034 (BLS), affecting approximately 262,000 workers. Full task breakdown, skills, and employer data are below.
Proportion of tasks susceptible to AI automation (O*NET analysis)
AI Exposure vs Industry Growth
Total occupations tracked
832
Covering all SOC major groups
Data currency
2024
BLS Employment Projections
AI exposure avg
40%
Fleet-wide median across all roles
Composite score weighing O*NET task data completeness, BLS projection methodology, and cross-validation with employer risk grades.
Employment Projections
Occupation Insight
Clergy (SOC 21-2011) carries an AI exposure score of 19%, placing it in the Low automation-risk tier. This score is computed from O*NET Database 30.0 task-level analysis, where each task an occupation performs is evaluated against current generative AI, robotic process automation, and machine-learning capabilities. A score below 40% reflects tasks anchored in physical dexterity, unstructured environments, or high-touch human interaction that current AI cannot reliably replicate.
The economic context matters alongside the risk score. BLS counted approximately 262,000 workers in this occupation in 2024, and projects a +1.0% change through 2034 — modest growth that keeps the occupation viable even as tasks evolve. Median annual compensation stands at $60,820, reflecting both skill scarcity and the value employers place on the tasks that remain difficult to automate. Entry typically requires Bachelor's degree, plus None of related experience.
For career planners, this profile should be read alongside the task, skill, and knowledge breakdowns below and the list of employers whose workforce composition includes Clergy. Adjacent occupations shown further down offer lateral moves that preserve industry knowledge while potentially reducing exposure. Pair the AI exposure score with the BLS employment projection and wage percentiles above for a complete career assessment.
Education & Entry Requirements
Top Tasks (O*NET)
- 1. Pray and promote spirituality.
- 2. Prepare and deliver sermons or other talks.
- 3. Read from sacred texts, such as the Bible, Torah, or Koran.
- 4. Organize and lead regular religious services.
- 5. Instruct people who seek conversion to a particular faith.
- 6. Share information about religious issues by writing articles, giving speeches, or teaching.
- 7. Counsel individuals or groups concerning their spiritual, emotional, or personal needs.
- 8. Administer religious rites or ordinances.
- 9. Prepare people for participation in religious ceremonies.
- 10. Visit people in homes, hospitals, or prisons to provide them with comfort and support.
Key Skills Required
- Speaking
- Active Listening
- Social Perceptiveness
- Instructing
- Service Orientation
- Reading Comprehension
- Writing
- Persuasion
- Judgment and Decision Making
- Time Management
Knowledge Areas
- Philosophy and Theology
- English Language
- Administration and Management
- Customer and Personal Service
- Education and Training
- Therapy and Counseling
- Communications and Media
- Psychology
- Sociology and Anthropology
- Personnel and Human Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Will AI replace Clergy?
Clergy has an AI exposure score of 19%, indicating a low level of automation risk. The majority of tasks in this role require human judgment, creativity, or physical presence that AI cannot easily replicate.
What is the job outlook for Clergy?
According to BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034, Clergy is projected to grow by 1.0% over the decade. Current employment stands at approximately 262,000 workers.
What skills are needed for Clergy?
Key skills for Clergy include Speaking, Active Listening, Social Perceptiveness, and others. Typical entry-level education is Bachelor's degree.
How much do Clergy earn?
The median annual wage for Clergy is $60,820, according to BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2024). Actual earnings vary by location, experience, industry, and employer. The BLS publishes detailed wage percentiles by region in its Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program.
What education is required for Clergy?
The typical entry-level education for Clergy is Bachelor's degree. Employers generally expect None of related work experience. On-the-job training typically involves Moderate-term on-the-job training. Requirements can vary by employer and specialization.
Which companies employ Clergy?
Clergy roles exist across many industries and employers. Workforce composition is estimated from BLS industry-occupation employment distributions matched to SEC-registered public companies.
AI Exposure Rating
Low automation risk based on 10 analyzed tasks. Most tasks require human judgment and are resistant to automation.
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Data sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections 2024–2034 and O*NET Database 30.0. Employment figures are rounded. Wage data from BLS Occupational Employment Statistics (OES).