Salary of an Administrative Assistant in a Religious Organization

Administrative assistants provide secretarial and organizational support to pastors and their clergy members. In addition to scheduling appearances, events and fundraisers, administrative assistants in religious organizations may also organize group finances, schedule routine maintenance on church grounds and order supplies for church events such as Masses, weddings and funerals.

Salary

According to May 2010 figures from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, secretaries and administrative assistants employed by religious organizations earn an average annual salary of $28,710. This wage equates to an hourly rate of $13.80 per hour when factored across a 40-hour work week before tax and benefit deductions. This hourly figure represents a 48 percent larger pay rate than the federal minimum wage, which stands at $7.25 per hour as of October 2011.

Salary Compared to National Average

Over 1.8 million people were employed as administrative assistants as of May 2010, 13,000 of which worked for religious organizations. BLS statistics place the average wage of administrative assistants across all realms of industry at $32,000 per year as of 2010, an hourly rate of $15.38. Administrative assistants employed in the religious organization industry earn 11 percent less that this national average.

Industrywide Salary Comparison

Administrative assistants employed by religious organizations earn the second lowest wage in the profession according to BLS data. Only secretaries employed by the death care services industry earn less, with an average hourly rate of $13.21 per hour or $27,490 per year. Administrative assistants employed by the postal service earn more than all others with an average hourly rate of $26.03 per hour, nearly double the average hourly rate of administrative assistants employed by religious organizations.

Relevant Background and Skills

According to the BLS, little formal education is required of administrative assistants outside of a high school diploma. Those aspiring for administrative careers in religious organizations should possess familiarity with that organizations common practices, membership and community. The extensive interpersonal communication required of the role requires individuals who can converse, speak and write effectively. Keen organization skills and the ability to allocate attention to several tasks at once is also a valuable skill inherent of the position.

References

• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics; Occupational Employment and Wages; 43-6014 Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive, May 2010
• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics; Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2010-11 Edition: Secretaries and Administrative Assistants
• Best Church Practices: Church Job Descriptions (pg. 12; .pdf)
• U.S. Department of Labor: Minimum Wage