Professionals in Religion
(NOC 4154)
in All Education, Law, Government, Social and Community ServicesProfessionals in this group conduct religious services, administer the rites of a religious faith or denomination, provide spiritual and moral guidance and perform other functions associated with the practice of a religion. They perform these duties in churches, synagogues, temples, mosques or other places of worship. They may also work in other institutions such as schools, hospitals and prisons.
Job Outlook
Average
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Compared to: All Education, Law, Government, Social and Community Services
The employment outlook over the next few years for this occupational group is “average”, which indicates the chances of a qualified individual finding work is comparable to the average for all occupations in Nova Scotia. This is a moderate sized occupation in Nova Scotia so some job opportunities may occur through turnover. The number employed in this occupation is expected to decline moderately over the next few years, which will likely limit the number of new opportunities available. With a large percent of workers being 55 years of age and older, retirements are expected to be a key contributor to employment opportunities over the coming years. Professionals in Religion most commonly work full-time hours. Furthermore, the jobs may either be permanent or temporary positions, as both are common. With employment conditions being somewhat seasonal, periods of downtime or layoff throughout the year affect some workers. Also, a fair portion of the workforce is self-employed, so having the option to "work for yourself" may appeal to some individuals’ interests/motivations.
The median employment income for 61% of Professionals in Religion who worked full-time, year-round in 2015 was $46,142. Across all occupations in Nova Scotia, 59% of those who worked full-time year round had a median employment income of $43,600.
(Source: 2016 Census)
Hourly Pay
$12.55
Minimum$19.23
Median$44.00
MaximumAnnual Pay
$8,862
Minimum$37,988
Median$65,937
MaximumCompared to: All Education, Law, Government, Social and Community Services
Hourly Pay
$14.00
Minimum$26.88
Median$46.15
MaximumAnnual Pay
$5,616
Minimum$44,335
Median$92,599
MaximumAbout the job
Nature of work
Professionals in this group conduct religious services, administer the rites of a religious faith or denomination, provide spiritual and moral guidance and perform other functions associated with the practice of a religion. They perform these duties in churches, synagogues, temples, mosques or other places of worship. They may also work in other institutions such as schools, hospitals and prisons.
Job duties
Ministers of religion perform some or all of the following duties:
- Conduct regular religious services.
- Administer rites of faiths such as marriages and funerals.
- Pray and promote spirituality by delivering sermons and other talks.
- Provide spiritual and moral guidance to members of a religious faith.
- Supervise, plan and administer programs of religious education.
- May participate in humanitarian endeavors, social services and welfare activities.
- May share in the administrative and financial operation of a religious community.
- May provide consultation services to government and other organizations.
Sample job titles
- chaplain
- clergyman/woman
- evangelist
- imam
- minister
- pastor
- preacher
- priest
- rabbi
- reverend
Skills
To work in this field you should be sensitive, reliable, discreet, and interested in serving the needs of others. Patience, self-discipline, and emotional stability are also important. You must be able to communicate clearly, both orally and in writing. Leadership and organizational skills are necessary. An understanding of human nature and the behavioural sciences is essential for counselling.
Job requirements
- Educational requirements vary, depending on the religion, and range from the completion of a college or other program in religious studies to a master's of divinity degree.
Other considerations
People in these jobs may work long and irregular hours in administrative, educational, and community service activities. A period of study with a senior minister is usually required. Progression to senior positions included in this group, within a religious order, is possible with experience.
By the numbers
Quick look
employed in 2016
employed full-time
self employed
median age
Compared to: All Education, Law, Government, Social and Community Services
employed in 2016
employed full-time
self employed
median age
Where will I likely work?
Halifax
Southern
Annapolis Valley
North Shore
Cape Breton
Compared to: All NS Occupations
Halifax
North Shore
Annapolis Valley
Cape Breton
Southern
Top Industries of Employment
Other Services
Public Administration
Health Care and Social Assistance
Other Industries
What is the age of Employment?
55-64
45-54
65+
35-44
25-34
15-24
Compared to: All Education, Law, Government, Social and Community Services
35-44
45-54
55-64
25-34
65+
Top levels of education
Doctorate
N/ABachelor's degree
$45,856 median annual incomeCollege certificate or diploma
$36,874 median annual incomeHigh school
$33,400 median annual incomeMedicine, dentistry, veterinary, optometry
N/ACompared to: All Education, Law, Government, Social and Community Services
Bachelor's degree
$43,533 median annual incomeCollege certificate or diploma
$28,183 median annual incomeMaster's degree
$35,978 median annual incomeHigh school
$25,801 median annual incomeDoctorate
$60,991 median annual incomeEducation & training
Christian studies
This program is typically offered at the college or university level.This instructional program class includes any program that focuses on the philosophy and teachings of Jesus Christ and his apostles, and the subsequent intellectual and cultural movements and institutions based on Christianity. These programs include courses in Christian sacred scripture, Christian literature and philosophy, and studies of one or more of the main branches of the faith and their cultural context including Orthodoxy, Roman Catholicism, Protestantism, Evangelicalism, and others.
Institutions providing this program
PO Box 5000
Antigonish, NS B2G 2W5
(902) 867-2219
Divinity/ministry (BDiv, MDiv)
This program is typically offered at the university level.This instructional program class includes any program that prepares individuals for ordination as ministers or priests in any of the Christian religious traditions. These programs include courses in the theology and polity of a particular church, church law, liturgy and ritual, principles of pastoral ministry, homiletics, evangelism, church/parish organization and management, Christian ethics, church history, and related studies.
Institutions providing this program
PO Box 5000
Antigonish, NS B2G 2W5
(902) 867-2219
660 Francklyn Street
Halifax, NS B3H 3B5
(902) 423-6939
Lay ministry
This program is typically offered at the college or university level.This instructional program class includes any program that prepares non-ordained individuals to serve as lay pastors, religious educators, youth leaders, and other professional positions open to the laity in local churches and other settings. These programs include courses in bible studies, theology, spirituality, pastoral counselling, foundations of ministry, effective communication, and church leadership.
Institutions providing this program
660 Francklyn Street
Halifax, NS B3H 3B5
(902) 423-6939
Philosophy
This program is typically offered at the college or university level.This instructional program class includes any program that focuses on ideas and their logical structure, including arguments and investigations about abstract and real phenomena. These programs include courses in logic, ethics, aesthetics, epistemology, metaphysics, symbolism, and history of philosophy, and applications to the theoretical foundations and methods of other disciplines.
Institutions providing this program
Office of the Registrar
Halifax, NS B3H 4R2
(902) 494-2450
6350 Coburg Road
Halifax, NS B3H 2A1
(902) 422-1271
166 Bedford Highway
Halifax, NS B3M 2J6
(902) 457-6117
PO Box 5000
Antigonish, NS B2G 2W5
(902) 867-2219
923 Robie Street
Halifax, NS B3H 3C3
(902) 420-5400
PO Box 5300 1250 Grand Lake Road
Sydney, NS B1P 6L2
(888) 959-9995
Religion/religious studies - General
This program is typically offered at the college or university level.This instructional program class includes any program that focuses on the nature of religious belief and specific religious and quasi-religious systems. These programs include courses in phenomenology; the sociology, psychology, philosophy, anthropology, literature and art of religion; mythology; scriptural and textual studies; religious history and politics; and specific studies of particular faith communities and their behaviour.
Institutions providing this program
Office of the Registrar
Halifax, NS B3H 4R2
(902) 494-2450
6350 Coburg Road
Halifax, NS B3H 2A1
(902) 422-1271
166 Bedford Highway
Halifax, NS B3M 2J6
(902) 457-6117
PO Box 5000
Antigonish, NS B2G 2W5
(902) 867-2219
923 Robie Street
Halifax, NS B3H 3C3
(902) 420-5400
PO Box 5300 1250 Grand Lake Road
Sydney, NS B1P 6L2
(888) 959-9995
Theology/theological studies
This program is typically offered at the college or university level.This instructional program class includes any program that focuses on the beliefs and doctrine of a particular religious faith from the intramural point of view of that faith. These programs include courses in systematic theology, historical theology, moral theology, doctrinal studies, dogmatics, apologetics, and applications to specific questions of ecclesiastical polity and religious life.
Institutions providing this program
923 Robie Street
Halifax, NS B3H 3C3
(902) 420-5400
660 Francklyn Street
Halifax, NS B3H 3B5
(902) 423-6939
Youth ministry
This program is typically offered at the college or university level.This instructional program class includes any program that prepares the ordained clergy and other religious professionals to provide spiritual, counselling, and leadership services to children, adolescents, and young adults. These programs include courses in child and adolescent psychology, human growth and development, family studies, communication skills, religious education, youth counselling, small group leadership, planning and organizing youth activities, volunteer supervision, and youth evangelism and worship.
Institutions providing this program
660 Francklyn Street
Halifax, NS B3H 3B5
(902) 423-6939
Employment requirements & contacts
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