An online bachelor’s degree in ministry leadership, divinity, theology or Bible studies may offer the following in Georgia:

What you can do in ministry leadership in Georgia

In Georgia, an online or traditional bachelor’s degree in ministry leadership or Bible studies can lead to a variety of faith-based and community-oriented roles. These roles are often supported by the state’s strong faith presence, large network of churches and Christian nonprofit infrastructure:

Snapshot of ministry leadership in Georgia

In Georgia, 240 individuals work as directors of religious activities and education, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), 310 as religious workers, all others and 1,280 members of the clergy. This ranks Georgia as the 15th highest employer for directors of religious services and activities in the nation, with the state ranked 10th in the U.S. for religious workers, and 13th for clergy. Median hourly wages and expected job growth over the next ten years looked like this:

Job role	Median hourly pay (BLS)	National job growth rate through 2034
Directors of religious activities and education	$35	2.1%
Clergy	$31	1%
Religious worker, all others	$17	0.6%

Here are five top employers of faith-based, ministry or theology professionals in the state of Georgia and how their skills are typically used:

Ministry leadership salary stats for Georgia

Salaries for ministry and faith-based roles in Georgia tend to be slightly below national medians in rural areas, but can be competitive in larger metro regions like Atlanta where megachurches, faith-based nonprofits and corporate chaplaincy roles offer higher compensation. Overall, pay varies widely based on role, denomination and organization size.

Median annual salary comparisons for the three roles the BLS detailed at a national level and within the state of Georgia, are:

Median national vs. state wage

Faith-based role	Median annual national wage (BLS)	Georgia median annual wage (BLS)
Directors of religious activities and education	$54,840	$71,900
Clergy	$60,820	$65,510
Religious worker, all others	$45,120	$35,760

Median salaries within Georgia

Median salaries for the three ministry roles the BLS detailed, with highest paying metro areas listed first, include:

Factors affecting ministry leadership salaries in Georgia

Several factors influence salaries for religious workers, clergy and ministry professionals in Georgia, and many of them are specific to the state’s economic geography, religious demographics and cost-of-living variations. Here’s a breakdown:

• Location within Georgia: Metro areas such as Atlanta typically offer higher salaries due to larger congregations, bigger budgets and a higher cost of living, while rural churches usually pay less, and many clergy work bivocationally in places such as South Georgia or the Appalachian foothills.
• Denomination and church size: Different denominations in Georgia offer varying compensation. As an example, mainline Protestant and Catholic churches might offer stable salaries and benefits, while Southern Baptist and Pentecostal churches, which are more prominent in Georgia’s rural areas, may offer lower or variable pay, often tied to congregation giving.
• Role and responsibility: Chaplaincy and nonprofit ministry tend to pay more consistently due to institutional backing from hospitals, universities and corrections institutions.
• Education and ordination: Higher degrees and formal ordination often lead to higher pay. For example, Master of Divinity (MDiv) holders—required in many denominations—may earn $5k–$15k more annually than those without. Ordained ministers in Georgia—especially in UMC, Lutheran, Episcopal and Catholic systems—typically have structured pay scales based on education and years served.
• Experience level: Just like in other states, Georgia clergy with more years of service or senior leadership roles may earn more.
• Supplemental income and bivocational work: Especially in rural Georgia, many clergy teach in public/private schools, work as counselors or chaplains part-time or run small businesses to supplement ministry income.
• Benefits and housing: Some churches may provide housing (parsonages) or housing allowances, particularly in smaller Georgia towns. Health insurance, pensions and continuing education funds are more common in mainline churches and large ministries.

Basic education path to ministry leadership

The path to a ministry leadership or clergy role in Georgia is not fundamentally different from other states, but there are some considerations:

• Metro areas (Atlanta especially) may require graduate degrees, leadership skills and nonprofit experience for larger churches or parachurch ministries.
• Baptist and evangelical traditions dominate in Georgia, so local church ordinations and less formal education paths are more common than in some northern or coastal states.
• Rural areas may emphasize calling and character over credentials.

With this is mind, the basic education steps may look similar to the following:

• Identifiable sense of calling: Most begin with a personal calling to serve in ministry, often confirmed by a local church or mentor.
• Earn a bachelor’s degree: Online bachelor’s degree programs are available and typically include theology, religion or a related field.
• Earn a master’s degree: Many pursue a Master of Divinity (MDiv) or similar graduate degree—especially for mainline or denominational roles.
• Denominational endorsement or ordination: In structured denominations you must complete interviews, assessments and spiritual formation processes. A formal ordination track with the regional governing body, such as a UMC Conference or Catholic Diocese. In non-denominational or Baptist churches, which are common in Georgia, ordination may come directly from a local church.
• Practical experience: Internships, youth ministry roles or assistant pastoral positions help build credibility and experience.
• Leadership appointment: In some denominations, you’re appointed, while in others, you’re hired or called by a church search committee.

Cost of living in Georgia

O*Net, a subsidiary of the BLS, said that the job growth rate for directors of religious activities, clergy and religious workers, all others, in Georgia, looked slightly slower than the national average, or right at the national growth rate:

Ministry leadership role	Georgia job growth through 2032	Jobs added through 2032
Directors of religious activities and education	1%, slower than the national average	380
Clergy	4%, close to the national average	370
Religious workers, all others	1%, slower than the national average	1,160

Job growth is important when weighed against the cost of living in Georgia. The World Population Review Cost of Living Index ranked Georgia with an index of 91.3. This means if the national average is 100, Georgia is 8.7% lower than the national average. The following areas ranked highest for cost of living in Georgia:

• Atlanta
• Marietta
• Roswell

And the following areas, which have a strong religious presence, ranked significantly lower than the average cost of living:

• Augusta
• Savannah
• Albany

Resources for ministry leadership workers in Georgia

Here are three professional associations in Georgia that support ministry leaders, clergy and religious workers through advocacy, education and professional development:

• Global Mission Fellows (GMF): Part of the United Methodist Church and based in Atlanta, GMF’s focus is on fellowship, continuing education, humanitarian relief and mission initiatives and they offer leadership development and scholarships.
• Georgia Baptist Mission Board (GBMB): Affiliated with the Southern Baptist Convention, GBMB provides pastors and church leaders with tools for church health, evangelism and leadership.
• Interdenominational Theological Center (ITC)–Atlanta: ITC Atlanta offers academic and professional support for ministry leaders through graduate theological education, clergy workshops and justice-oriented advocacy.

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