Getting Paid to Work at Your Place of Worship

When Barbara Strauss retired at age 63 with debilitating arthritis, she found she had a lot of time on her hands. So she started volunteering at her synagogue in Pikesville, Maryland.

It seemed a natural thing for her to do. She had grown up in a family that was deeply religious, even at one time operating its own small synagogue.

After a while, Barbara, 71, was doing so many odd jobs that the rabbi named her his “rabbinic assistant.” And he started paying her for her time.

“I am the fifth generation in my family to be extremely involved,” Barbara told AARP Experience Counts. “I’m first-generation getting paid.”

Finding a paying job at a religious institution is not always easy. There are only so many positions to go around. Turnover is usually limited to when someone dies or moves out of the area.

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Smaller congregations may only be able to afford a minister, an administrative assistant and a youth coordinator. And no one is earning a hefty salary doing it. According to Clergy Financial Resources, a senior pastor in America makes about $62,000 a year on average while a youth pastor earns about $38,000. An office manager makes about $41,000, the site reports.

But if you’re looking for a little extra cash and you enjoy spending time at your place of worship, you may find some worthwhile ways to help out.

Many congregations hire facilities managers, custodians and bookkeepers. These are usually part-time jobs. Some churches hire music directors, chaplains, or audio/video technicians. These positions vary in pay, but range from $30,000 to $59,000 per year, according to Indeed and ZipRecruiter.

“The larger the church, the more ministries they have, and as such they may or may not offer to compensate for the time or the experience of the individual who is chosen for that position,” said Pastor Robert Donald of New Beginnings Christ Community Church in Baltimore, Maryland.

Donald, 70, a military veteran and retired project manager—who is known as The Preacher on the stand-up comedy circuit—said larger churches offer social ministries that may include community outreach, job training and education, health care and housing. Many of these ministries are led by volunteers. For more sensitive issues, the church will sponsor training.