Will AI replace clergy?AI replacement risk 35% and how the work is changing

United States Social Services Confidence ★★★★★

Median annual pay
$60,810
25th–75th pct. $48,260–$76,640
Top pay (est.)
$128,600
Top 10% $98,890
Pay in 5 years
$70,600est.
2031
Pay in 10 years
$82,000est.
$70,500–$95,200
Outlook score
65/100
★★★☆☆ Good
AI replacement risk
35%
Low
Job growth (10 yr)
+2.4%
19K openings / yr

Will AI replace Clergy? AI replacement risk

35%
Low
Ranked #305 safest from AI among all U.S. occupations
Very lowLowModerateHighVery high

How AI is changing this job

A written analysis for this occupation is being prepared.

AI replacement risk compares the parts of a job that are easy to hand to AI or software (processing information, documentation, repetitive computer work) with the parts that are hard to automate (physical work, working closely with people, judgment in unpredictable settings), using O*NET work activities, work context, skills and knowledge. The result is a relative position among all occupations in the country, scaled to 0–100%. Methodology →

Skills, education and requirements for Clergy

Key skills

Social Perceptiveness
5.0
Reading Comprehension
4.8
Speaking
4.8
Active Listening
4.6
Service Orientation
4.2
Writing
4.1
Instructing
4.0
Persuasion
4.0

O*NET skill level ratings (0–7).

Key knowledge areas

Philosophy and Theology
6.3
Customer and Personal Service
5.2
Therapy and Counseling
5.0
Education and Training
4.9
Sociology and Anthropology
4.8
Administration and Management
4.5
English Language
4.5
Psychology
4.3

What the work involves

Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal RelationshipsAssisting and Caring for OthersCommunicating with Supervisors, Peers, or SubordinatesResolving Conflicts and Negotiating with OthersDeveloping and Building TeamsThinking CreativelyMaking Decisions and Solving ProblemsPerforming for or Working Directly with the Public

Important abilities

Speech ClarityOral ExpressionSpeech RecognitionProblem SensitivityOral ComprehensionWritten Expression

Education of workers

Master's degree
48%
Bachelor's degree
18%
Some college
15%
High school diploma
12%
Doctoral degree
5%
Professional degree
1%

Training before entry

1–2 years
26%
None / short demo
23%
1–3 months
15%
Up to 1 month
4%
3–6 months
2%

Related work experience

6–12 months
47%
Over 10 years
20%
2–4 years
20%
1–2 years
10%
4–6 years
1%

Job Zone 5 — extensive preparation needed (O*NET)

Difficulty of entry: ★★★★☆ Demanding (from education, training, experience and Job Zone)

Pay and employment figures are national statistics. Projected pay, outlook scores and AI replacement risk are estimates from the Shigoto Zukan model, not guarantees. To request a correction, use the contact form. How to read the data
Sources: BLS OEWS May 2025; BLS Employment Projections 2025–35; O*NET 31.0 Database by USDOL/ETA (CC BY 4.0), modified by Shigoto Zukan. Pay ranges, projections and scores are Shigoto Zukan estimates.