Catholic priests feel called by God to a lead a life of faith, prayer and service to others. Money is at the bottom of their list of motivators. Despite having up to eight years of postsecondary education and a master’s degree, Catholic priests earn far less than those with a similar educational background. Catholic priests remain single, so it is easier for them to make ends meet on a modest salary with added compensation, such as allowances for food and transportation.

Job Description

The priesthood is considered a calling because it requires unshakable faith and complete devotion to doing God’s work. Salary is not commensurate with hours worked on the job. Priests must be prepared to assist the sick, injured and dying, all hours of the day and night, in harsh weather conditions. There is no overtime. Catholic priests devote their life to prayer, bible study and helping Christians stay on the road to heaven.

Saying mass on Sunday and during the week is only one of many duties of a Catholic priest. A carefully planned day of giving communion to shut-ins, hearing confessions, discussing marriage with an engaged couple or teaching catechism can be upended by an emergency, such as a dying cancer patient requesting last rites. Priests are even busier during sacred times of the year, such as Lent when priests have added responsibilities for holding services and delivering timely sermons.

Education Requirements

If you apply to be a Catholic priest and are blessed to be accepted, you will receive an excellent education without cost to you. Priestly formation takes place in the seminary where students ultimately decide if this is what they want to do with the rest of their lives. Admission to the seminary varies according to the diocese. Typical eligibility criteria include being between the ages of 17-to-55, financial stability, multiple references, clearing backgrounds checks and passing a physical and psychological examination.

Life in the seminary consists of daily prayer, meditation and self-reflection. Rigorous classes, workshops and seminars are provided to help priests develop as spiritual leaders. In addition to the religious study, Catholics priests learn Latin and Greek while pursuing a master’s degree. They also practice pastoral work under the guidance of an experienced priest. Seminarians without a college degree spend eight years in training. Those with a college degree spend six years in seminary, and typically major in theology or philosophy in college.

Where They Work

Some priests belong to a religious order, such as the Jesuits, and live like a family in a religious community. Diocesan priests generally live in a small rectory attached to the church and minister to one or more neighboring parishes. Accommodations are simple because priests typically don’t concern themselves with material comforts, like hot tubs and home theatre systems. During the day, they may travel locally to give communion, lead a bible study and minister to the spiritual needs of those in the hospital, jail, homeless shelter, soup kitchen or hospice. They may also hold a rosary service in a nursing home, or bless farmers’ fields at planting time.

Years of Experience

Newly ordained priests earn approximately $25,000 per year as reported in 2017 by Georgetown University. Entry-level salaries were highest in the Midwest where priests received $29,856 starting out, with the potential to earn up to $44,417 if they remained in that part of the country. Because there is a shortage of priests, it is not uncommon for priests to be given a lot of responsibility right out of the seminary. With experience, they gain confidence, converts and regular followers who rely on them for spiritual guidance. Leadership opportunities exist within the church hierarchy. For example, a priest may become a monsignor, bishop, cardinal or even a pope.

Salary and Job Information

A study conducted by Georgetown University and released in 2017, indicated the mean average salary for priests is $45.593 per year, including taxable income. Priests must report taxable income, such as salary bonuses and allowances for living expenses, which can equal 20 percent of earned salary.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary for clergy is $45,740. Median income is the midpoint, meaning the top half of wage earners made more, and the bottom half made less. BLS lumps Catholic priests with other denominations of clergy who have higher earning power. For example, the GU study indicated that male Episcopalian priests earn $75,355 including taxable income.