Qualifications

• Youth ministers should understand the teachings of the Bible, attend church or religious meetings, possess strong leadership skills and be passionate about spirituality. These professionals should be mentors to the youth they work with. Of those reporting their wages, many of these professionals reported receiving bachelor's degrees in youth ministry or theology, or master's degrees in divinity. Those who received bachelor's degrees earn average salaries ranging from $25,000 to $42,331 per year. Those who received master's degrees in divinity earn average salaries ranging from $24,566 to $38,151 per year.
  
  

Salary

• The average salary for youth ministers ranges from $25,756 to $39,924 per year. Many work for nonprofit organizations, fellowships, school districts or other organizations. The highest wages were reported by those who are self-employed, earning average salaries ranging from $11,792 to $45,997 per year. Some self-employed youth ministers may also work part-time. Those working for fellowships earn average salaries ranging from $25,000 to $39,839 per year, and those working for school districts earn average salaries ranging from $26,000 to $40,000 per year.
  
  

Benefits

• Youth ministers who work full-time report receiving healthcare benefits and other employer-paid perks such as paid time off, life insurance and retirement savings, a company cell phone and a flexible schedule. Average salaries of youth ministers who reported receiving benefits range from $28,999 to $46,370 per year.
  
  

Advancement

• Some youth ministers moved into roles such as youth pastors, ministers and senior pastors. The average salary for a youth pastor ranges from $25,696 to $40,612 per year. Senior pastors earned $37,751 to $66,825 per year, and ministers earn average salaries ranging from $32,874 to $56,297 per year.