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Parish Secretary Jobs (NOW HIRING)

ST LAWRENCE CATHOLIC CHURCH

Description: The Parish Office Secretary works closely with the Pastor, Parish Council, Finance Committee, and Parishioners to serve the Saint Lawrence Community. This is a part-time position ...

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$24.5K

$45.9K

$63K

How much do parish secretary jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 24, 2026, the average yearly pay for parish secretary in the United States is $45,945.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $37,500.00 and $52,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some common challenges Parish Secretaries face in balancing administrative duties with parishioner interactions?

Parish Secretaries often juggle a variety of tasks, from managing schedules and maintaining records to responding to parishioner inquiries. A common challenge is effectively prioritizing administrative work while remaining approachable and available to parishioners who may need assistance or support. Time management and strong interpersonal skills are crucial, as the role requires balancing confidential work, event coordination, and daily interruptions. Many Parish Secretaries find that clear communication with clergy and volunteers helps manage expectations and keeps parish operations running smoothly.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Parish Secretary, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Parish Secretary, you need strong administrative skills, attention to detail, and proficiency in office management, typically supported by a high school diploma or equivalent. Familiarity with office software like Microsoft Office Suite, church management systems, and basic bookkeeping is often required. Excellent interpersonal skills, discretion, and the ability to multitask help foster a welcoming environment and maintain confidentiality. These skills are crucial to ensuring efficient parish operations, supporting clergy and parishioners, and upholding the trust of the church community.

What is the highest paying secretary job?

The highest paying secretary roles are often executive secretaries or executive assistants to high-level executives, with salaries exceeding $80,000 annually. These positions typically require advanced organizational skills, experience, and proficiency with office management tools like Microsoft Office or specialized scheduling software.

How much should I pay my secretary?

The salary for a parish secretary typically ranges from $25,000 to $40,000 annually, depending on experience, location, and responsibilities. Compensation may also include benefits such as paid time off and health insurance, and familiarity with office software like Microsoft Office is often required.

What does a parish secretary do?

A parish secretary manages administrative tasks for a church or parish, including answering phones, scheduling appointments, maintaining records, preparing correspondence, and assisting with event planning. They often use office software and may handle financial transactions or data entry. Strong organizational and communication skills are essential for this role.

What is the difference between Parish Secretary vs Administrative Assistant?

AspectParish SecretaryAdministrative Assistant
CredentialsHigh school diploma or equivalent; some roles may prefer clerical certificationsHigh school diploma; administrative or office certifications optional
Work EnvironmentReligious settings, churches, parishesVarious industries, corporate offices, organizations
Employer & IndustryReligious institutions, churchesBusinesses, government agencies, nonprofits
Common TasksManaging church records, scheduling, communication with parishionersScheduling, correspondence, data entry, general office support

The Parish Secretary primarily supports religious organizations with clerical tasks specific to church operations, while the Administrative Assistant provides broader office support across various industries. Both roles require strong organizational skills and clerical experience, but the Parish Secretary's duties are more focused on church-related activities.

What qualifications do I need to be a secretary?

Parish secretaries typically need a high school diploma or equivalent, strong organizational and communication skills, and proficiency in office software such as Microsoft Office. Some positions may require previous administrative experience or familiarity with church or community office procedures.

What are Parish Secretaries?

Parish Secretaries are administrative professionals who support the day-to-day operations of a church parish. Their responsibilities often include managing correspondence, scheduling appointments, maintaining church records, preparing bulletins, and providing information to parishioners. They serve as a key point of contact between clergy, parish staff, and the community, ensuring smooth communication and organization. Parish Secretaries may also handle financial tasks, event planning, and help coordinate volunteers as needed.
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Parish Secretary jobs near you
Infographic showing various Parish Secretary job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 74% Full Time, 25% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 93% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $45,945 per year, or $22.1 per hour.

Pastor's Assistant/Parish Office Bilingual French Secretary (part time) - Saint Louis Parish - W...

The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Washington

Washington, DC

$18 - $23/hr

Full-time

Posted 12 days ago

Job description

The Archdiocese is seeking a Parish Secretary Assistant for Saint Louis, French speaking Parish in Washington. This role reports to and performs general secretarial support for the Pastor to include: typing, establishing/maintaining database for mailing lists and reports, managing telephone calls, maintain office calendar, weekly parish bulletin, handling correspondence, document preparation, scheduling appointments and volunteers, manage office inventory/purchasing, sacramental document preparation, scheduling meetings and events, manage sacramental inventory/purchasing, as well as other duties.

Most of the work (95%) is being done in French language, since Saint Louis Catholic Parish is full French speaking as everything is for French speaking language (38 nationalities- 95% of pastoral care & activities are in French)  This role supports a French speaking parish of the Latin Rite of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Washington who maintains separate canonical and corporate identities while maintaining unified operations.   

Duties and Responsibilities

  • Provides receptionist services for the office.
  • Transcribes and forwards clear and accurate messages.
  • Handles routine questions about policies.
  • Greets and meets visitors & vendors.
  • Provides secretarial and clerical services to the Pastor.
  • Prepares regular and bulk mailing.
  • Prepares regular and occasional document for the Pastor.
  • Work each week with the Pastor in reflection on Mission & pastoral care.
  • Maintains files for religious education, formation, and catechesis and all the other activities.
  • Screens and Distributes mail, email, calls and other related material.
  • Maintains filing system.
  • Manages office inventory of general supplies.
  • Provides recordkeeping services for the office (e.g. directory, mailing list, events

calendar, check requests, etc.).

  • Coordinates and schedules volunteers in the office.
  • Oversees parish bulletin creation, printing and delivery.
  • Assists various ministries with document production, signs, and communications.
  • Attends pastoral council committee meetings, taking notes and producing minutes.
  • Maintains filing system for all contracts, equipment, rentals, and property.
  • Maintain Mass intention records, stipends, and card mailing.
  • Maintain files for property renovation and design.
  • Manages inventory of sacramental records supplies, sacramental administration [baptism, confirmation, marriage, funeral]; Maintains the seals of each parish.
  • Maintains parish databases; ParishSOFT 
  • Maintains parish website and social media outlets.
  • Interacts with the Archivist of the Archdiocese of Washington for special cemetery and sacramental records projects.
  • Prepare parish activities
  • Opens and/or closes the office.

 

Qualifications

Required Education and Experience

Must be fluent in French both oral and written.

Important: 95% of the activities take place in French in a community of 38 nationalities.

  1. Perfect command of French (oral and written) and good knowledge of Francophone culture
  2. Excellent communication skills
  3. 3 to 5 years of administrative experience
  4. High school diploma required

  5. Advanced skills in MS Office (Word, Excel) required and knowledge of ParishSOFT software a plus.

This job operates in an office setting. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, and filing cabinets.

This role supports one French speaking personal parish of the Latin Rite of the Roman Archdiocese of Washington who maintain separate canonical and corporate identities while maintaining unified operations. All working hours to be maintained on the Archdiocesan Workforce Management System. Confidentiality of parishioners’ information and contributions is vital in order to serve the Mission of Evangelization and the good of the parishioners, and includes attendant clearance paperwork from the Archdiocese.

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work

This is a full time role with excellent benefits

Please send resumes to (pastor@saintlouisdc.org ).

Apply