41302 – Religious leaders
Lead statement
Religious leaders conduct religious services, administer the rites of a religious faith or denomination, provide spiritual and moral guidance and perform other functions associated with the practice of a religion.
Main duties
- 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 endeavours and delivery of 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.
Employment requirements
- Completion of college, university or other program in religious studies is usually required. Some occupations in this unit group may require a master’s of divinity or theology.
- A period of study with a senior minister is usually required.
Example job titles
minister - religion · minister · rabbi · chaplain · archbishop · archdeacon · bishop · evangelist · cardinal · clergyman/woman · curate · preacher · moderator - religion · parish priest · priest · television evangelist · Salvation Army commissioned officer · imam · officiating clergyman/woman · pastor · presbyter · assistant minister - religion · chancellor - religion · granthi · reverend · chaplain - Canadian armed forces
Wages (per hour)
| Province / territory | Low | Median | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canada | $17.31 | $27.53 | $44.07 |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | $16.00 | $23.56 | $31.00 |
| Nova Scotia | $16.50 | $25.39 | $40.87 |
| New Brunswick | $15.65 | $24.04 | $33.42 |
| Quebec | $16.83 | $23.08 | $35.90 |
| Ontario | $18.46 | $28.85 | $57.69 |
| Manitoba | $16.00 | $24.62 | $33.65 |
| Saskatchewan | $15.38 | $26.67 | $38.46 |
| Alberta | $19.23 | $26.25 | $44.07 |
| British Columbia | $17.85 | $30.00 | $39.42 |
Source: Job Bank wages, 2025 release (ESDC). Low and high are the 10th and 90th percentiles.
Occupation details: ESDC OaSIS 2025, based on NOC 2021.