Priest

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Work Tasks

• Teach church members and make sure their spiritual needs are met
• Give sermons, give sacraments, counsel people, and go to visit them in their homes or hospitals when they are sick
• Lead ceremonies like marriages, baptisms, and funerals
• Study the scriptures and stay informed about religious and world events
• Work in churches all over the country
• Work with the church members, Bibles, hymnals, religious texts, religious items such as communion articles and robes, committee reports, and notes

Salary, Size & Growth

• $50,000 average per year ($24.00 per hour)
• A medium occupation (59,700 workers in 2010)
• Expected to grow moderately (1.3% per year)

Education/Training

• Minimum for Entry: A 4-year degree from an accredited college or university, followed by four years in a seminary to earn either the Master of Divinity or Master of Arts degree in Theology
• Skills/Courses: College courses include sacred scripture; dogmatic, moral, and pastoral theology; homiletics (art of preaching); church history; liturgy (sacraments); and canon (church) law.