Religious leaders
High opportunity occupation
Career Overview
Religious leaders run religious services, including rites of birth, marriage, death and other important life events. They provide spiritual and moral guidance and perform other functions associated with the practice of a religion.
They work in churches, gurdwaras, mosques, temples, synagogues or other places of worship. They may also work in schools, hospitals, military establishments and prisons.
Job Titles
Duties
In general, religious leaders:
- 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 work, 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
Earnings
Earnings is income that workers receive in exchange for their labour. Depending on the type of employment, earnings can be in the form of wages (hourly), salaries (fixed monthly or annual) or self-employed earnings.
Work Environment
# Workers Employed
4,390% Employed Full Time
70%Work generally takes place in an indoor setting.
Career Pathways
Depending on the religion, progression to senior religious positions may be possible with additional experience and education.
Occupational Interests
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For more about occupational interests visit Skills for the Future Workforce > Characteristics.
Here are the top occupational interest(s) for this career profile:
Education, Training and Skills
Educational requirements for religious leadership vary depending on the religion. They range from the completion of a formal college or university program in religious studies to leading as a respected member of the religious community.
A period of study with a senior minister is sometimes required.
Education programs in B.C.
Top Skills
Every job calls for a certain set of skills. Knowing those skills is the first step in finding a good career fit.
Here, you will find the 10 most relevant workplace skills. Some are more important to achieving success in a certain career than others. These skills may come naturally to you or you may need to gain them through education, training and experience.
See the list of work-related skills below, ranked in order of importance for this career. Check out the list and see if this career matches your skills—take that first step!
Talking to others to share information effectively.
Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Being aware of others’ reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
Actively looking for ways to help people.
Teaching others how to do something.
Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Convincing others to change their mind or behaviour.
Managing one’s own time and the time of others.
Labour Market Statistics
Discover data, facts and information that have been gathered and analyzed. Learn about the characteristics of the economy and labour market in B.C.
Employment
Find out about employment types and trends by region and industry.
Employment
4,390Employment by Region
| Region | Employment | % Employment of this Occupation |
|---|---|---|
| Cariboo | 185 | 4.2% |
| Kootenay | 125 | 2.8% |
| Mainland/Southwest | 2,750 | 62.6% |
| North Coast and Nechako | 95 | 2.2% |
| Northeast | 65 | 1.5% |
| Thompson-Okanagan | 535 | 12.2% |
| Vancouver Island/Coast | 635 | 14.4% |
Labour Market Outlook
The B.C. Labour Market Outlook is a 10-year forecast of the expected supply and demand for labour in the province. It’s usually updated every year. The purpose is to provide British Columbians with the knowledge to make informed decisions on careers, skills training, education and hiring.
Forecasted Job Openings (2025-2035)
1,820Forecasted Job Openings
Forecasted Employment Growth Rate
Composition of Job Openings
Job Openings by Region (2025-2035)
| Region | Job Openings | Avg. Annual Employment Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Cariboo | 70 | 1.3% |
| Kootenay | 40 | 1.4% |
| Mainland/Southwest | 1,150 | 1.5% |
| North Coast and Nechako | 20 | 0.3% |
| Northeast | 30 | 0.6% |
| Thompson-Okanagan | 230 | 1.5% |
| Vancouver Island/Coast | 280 | 1.6% |
Industry Highlights
Learn about the opportunities in B.C.'s major industries, including employment trends, earning potential, locations of work and more.
Forecasted Job Openings by Industry
| Industry | Job Openings (2025-2035) |
|---|---|
| Repair, Personal and Non-Profit Services | 1,740 |
| Health Care and Social Assistance | 40 |
| Professional, Scientific and Technical Services | 20 |
| Public Administration | 20 |
| Educational Services | 10 |
Insights from Industry
Depending on the religion and position, earnings vary from full-time pay, to stipends, to no pay.
Resources
Resource information is currently not available.