ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Pastoral Associate Jobs (NOW HIRING)

next page

Showing results 1-20

All JobsPastoral Associate Jobs

Pastoral Associate information

See salary details

$15K

$51.2K

$84K

How much do pastoral associate jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 15, 2026, the average yearly pay for pastoral associate in the United States is $51,245.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $41,500.00 and $61,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a pastoral associate job description?

A pastoral associate is a church staff member who supports spiritual, pastoral, and community outreach activities. Their responsibilities often include counseling, coordinating religious programs, assisting with sacraments, and providing spiritual guidance, typically requiring strong communication skills and knowledge of church doctrine. They may also collaborate with clergy and serve in various ministry roles based on the church's needs.

What are Pastoral Associates?

Pastoral Associates are lay professionals who assist clergy in the spiritual and administrative life of a parish or religious community. They often coordinate ministries, lead liturgical and educational programs, and provide pastoral care to parishioners. Their responsibilities can vary depending on the needs of the community, but they generally support the mission of the church by serving as a bridge between clergy and laity. Pastoral Associates usually have training in theology or pastoral ministry and work closely with pastors and other staff.

What is the difference between Pastoral Associate vs Pastoral Minister?

AspectPastoral AssociatePastoral Minister
CredentialsUsually requires a bachelor's degree in theology, ministry, or related field; often some certification or training in pastoral careTypically holds a master's degree in divinity or theology; may have additional pastoral certification
Work EnvironmentWorks within church communities, assisting clergy with pastoral care, programs, and outreachLeads or oversees church programs, provides spiritual guidance, and may perform sacraments
Employer & Industry UsageCommonly employed in churches, religious organizations, and faith-based community servicesFound in similar settings but often with more leadership responsibilities

While both roles serve in church settings and require theological education, a Pastoral Associate typically supports clergy and focuses on pastoral care and community programs. A Pastoral Minister often has more leadership duties, overseeing church initiatives and providing spiritual guidance at a higher level.

What are some common challenges a Pastoral Associate may encounter when supporting diverse parish communities?

Pastoral Associates often serve parish communities with a wide range of backgrounds, traditions, and needs. One common challenge is effectively engaging and ministering to individuals from different cultural, generational, or socio-economic groups, which requires sensitivity and adaptability. Additionally, balancing administrative duties, event planning, and direct pastoral care can be demanding. Successful Pastoral Associates typically develop strong communication skills, cultural awareness, and collaborative relationships with clergy, staff, and volunteers to address these challenges and foster an inclusive, supportive parish environment.

What does a pastoral care associate do?

A pastoral care associate provides emotional and spiritual support to individuals within a religious or community setting. They often offer counseling, facilitate prayer or spiritual activities, and assist with crisis intervention, typically working closely with clergy and using active listening skills. The role may require relevant training or certification in counseling or pastoral care.

What is the job of an associate pastor?

An associate pastor supports the senior pastor in spiritual leadership, sermon preparation, and pastoral care within a church. They often lead specific ministries, conduct services, and provide counseling to congregation members. Strong communication skills and theological training are typically required for this role.

What careers honor God?

Careers that honor God often involve serving others, promoting ethical practices, and aligning with faith-based values. Roles such as pastoral associate, religious educator, or faith-based counselor focus on spiritual support and community service, reflecting a commitment to honoring God through work. These careers typically require strong moral integrity, compassion, and sometimes specific religious certifications or training.

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

To thrive as a Pastoral Associate, you need a solid background in theology, pastoral care, and ministry, often supported by a degree in religious studies or pastoral ministry. Familiarity with church management software, liturgical planning tools, and basic administrative systems is typically required. Compassion, strong interpersonal communication, and organizational skills are essential soft skills for connecting with parishioners and supporting church programs. These abilities are important because they enable the Pastoral Associate to effectively serve the spiritual and practical needs of the parish community.
More about Pastoral Associate jobs
What cities are hiring for Pastoral Associate jobs? Cities with the most Pastoral Associate job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Pastoral jobs? The most popular types of Pastoral jobs are:
Who are the top companies hiring for Pastoral Associate jobs? The top employers for Pastoral Associate jobs are:
What states have the most Pastoral Associate jobs? States with the most job openings for Pastoral Associate jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Pastoral Associate jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Pastoral Associate jobs are:
Pastoral Associate jobs near you
Infographic showing various Pastoral Associate job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 67% Full Time, 30% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $51,245 per year, or $24.6 per hour.

Pastoral Associate for Finance & Administration

4000 Archdiocese of Seattle Payroll Svc

Olympia, WA • On-site

$88K - $95K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 19 days ago

Job description

The beautiful parish family of Saint Michael's in Olympia and Saint Edward's in Shelton are looking for a Parish Family Pastoral Associate for Finance and Administration to provide leadership and oversight of church and school finances.
ABOUT PARISH FAMILY
St. Michael Parish & School serves approximately 2,600 registered families and 7,000 individuals across two worship sites and approximately 440 school students enrolled in Olympia, Washington. Saint Michael Parish is a vibrant Catholic community committed to worship, discipleship, formation, service, and fellowship.
Saint Edward Parish is located in Shelton, WA, serving approximately 1,053 households. This parish largely identifies with Mason County and reflects a diverse demographic with a strong, active Hispanic/Latino Catholic presence, which is highlighted by scheduled Sunday Spanish Masses and vibrant bilingual community events.
Position Summary
The Pastoral Associate for Parish Family Finances serves as the chief financial administrator of the Parish Family and provides strategic leadership and operational oversight for parish and school finances as two parishes move toward becoming one canonical parish under the Archdiocese of Seattle's Partners in the Gospel initiative.
Reporting directly to the Pastor, this position oversees financial planning, budgeting, accounting, reporting, internal controls, stewardship accountability, and long-range financial sustainability for all parish family operations. The role serves as the Pastor's primary advisor on financial matters and works closely with parish, school, ministry, and Archdiocesan leaders to ensure responsible stewardship of resources in support of the Church's mission.
The position supervises parish bookkeeping functions, provides financial oversight for school accounting operations, leads the work of the Finance Councils, and helps develop integrated financial systems and practices that support greater operational unity across the Parish Family.
Working closely with the Pastor, the Pastoral Associate for Parish Family Resources, the Pastoral Associate for Parish Life, the Pastoral Associate for Parish Ministry, the School Principal, and other parish leaders, the Pastoral Associate for Parish Family Finances helps ensure that financial administration supports evangelization, discipleship, pastoral care, Catholic education, and the long-term sustainability of parish family mission and ministry.
Supervision and Reporting Relationships
The Pastoral Associate for Parish Family Finances serves within the Office of the Parish Family Pastor and reports directly to the Pastor.
The position provides direct supervision of the Parish Bookkeeper and oversight of parish bookkeeping functions throughout the Parish Family.
The role also provides financial oversight and coordination for the School Bookkeeper. While the School Bookkeeper remains accountable to the School Principal for school administrative operations and day-to-day school procedures, the Pastoral Associate for Parish Family Finances is responsible for financial oversight, accounting standards, budgeting coordination, financial reporting, and compliance with parish and Archdiocesan financial policies.
The position works collaboratively with the School Principal, Pastoral Coordinator, Parish Family leadership team, Finance Councils, and Archdiocesan offices to ensure consistent financial stewardship, accountability, and operational effectiveness throughout the Parish Family.
Essential Responsibilities
1. Financial Leadership and Stewardship
  • Provide strategic financial leadership for the Parish Family and ensure responsible stewardship of parish assets and resources.
  • Develop, administer, and monitor annual operating and capital budgets for parish, school, ministry, facilities, technology, and administrative operations.
  • Regularly advise the Pastor regarding budget performance, financial trends, operational sustainability, major expenditures, risks, and long-range planning.
  • Prepare and present monthly, quarterly, and annual financial reports for the Pastor, Finance Councils, parish leadership, and school leadership.
  • Monitor revenues and expenditures and provide timely analysis and recommendations.
  • Ensure proper authorization of expenditures and adherence to approved budgets and Archdiocesan policies.
  • Oversee parish income handling, reconciliation, safeguarding, and deposit procedures.
  • Assist in developing integrated financial systems and reporting practices that support Parish Family unification under Partners in the Gospel.

Stewardship Collaboration
The Pastoral Associate for Parish Family Finances works closely with the Pastoral Associate for Parish Life regarding stewardship planning and financial sustainability.
While responsibility for promoting stewardship, annual giving efforts, volunteer engagement, and encouraging parishioners to share their time, talent, and treasure resides primarily with the Pastoral Associate for Parish Life, the Pastoral Associate for Parish Family Finances provides financial analysis, forecasting, budgeting, reporting, and strategic guidance to support these efforts.
The position provides financial data and recommendations that assist parish leadership in evaluating stewardship trends, parish participation, revenue projections, and the long-term sustainability of parish family ministries and operations.
2. Bookkeeping Oversight and Financial Operations
  • Supervise parish bookkeeping functions and provide oversight of school accounting operations.
  • Ensure accounting procedures are consistently applied and aligned with Archdiocesan standards and accepted accounting practices.
  • Review financial transactions, reconciliations, payroll coordination, cash-handling procedures, restricted funds, grants, tuition assistance accounting, fundraising revenues, and reporting workflows.
  • Develop and maintain efficient, transparent, and accountable financial systems and procedures.
  • Coordinate annual audits, reviews, and Archdiocesan financial reporting requirements.
  • Maintain secure, accurate, confidential, and organized financial records.

3. Administrative Leadership and Personnel Support
  • Provide leadership, supervision, training, support, and evaluation for assigned financial and administrative staff.
  • Collaborate with the Parish Personnel Officer regarding compensation planning, staffing budgets, employee benefits, and personnel-related financial matters.
  • Support administrative systems and structures that strengthen organizational effectiveness and accountability.
  • Promote collaboration and operational consistency throughout the Parish Family.

4. School Financial Support
  • Serve as the primary financial advisor to the School Principal regarding budgeting, tuition planning, forecasting, and financial sustainability.
  • Provide financial guidance and support to the School Commission.
  • Assist with tuition assistance administration and financial aid accounting.
  • Support the development of school financial systems that align with parish accounting standards and Archdiocesan expectations.
  • Integrate school financial reporting into broader Parish Family financial planning and reporting systems.
  • Advise the Pastor regarding school financial operations, enrollment-related financial impacts, and long-term sustainability.

5. Facilities, Capital, and Operational Planning
  • Collaborate with the Pastoral Associate for Parish Family Resources regarding facilities maintenance, capital projects, technology planning, and operational budgeting.
  • Assist with long-range planning for capital improvements and major operational investments.
  • Support financial analysis related to facilities, infrastructure, and technology needs.

6. Compliance and Archdiocesan Relations
  • Ensure compliance with Archdiocesan policies, accounting standards, insurance requirements, and applicable governmental regulations.
  • Serve as liaison to Archdiocesan Business, Finance, Accounting, Personnel, and Insurance offices.
  • Prepare and submit required financial reports, documentation, and regulatory filings.
  • Coordinate relationships with auditors, financial institutions, vendors, and governmental agencies.
  • Maintain sound internal controls, risk management practices, and financial safeguards.

7. Partners in the Gospel Implementation
  • Support the Pastor and parish leadership in the operational and financial transition toward greater Parish Family unity.
  • Assist in aligning financial systems, reporting structures, internal controls, operational workflows, and administrative practices across both parish communities.
  • Support implementation planning, organizational transition, and change management initiatives.

Balance respect for the unique history and culture of each parish with the need for sustainable, mission-centered structures that support evangelization and pastoral care.
Required
  • Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.
  • Significant experience in accounting, bookkeeping, financial management, or business administration.
  • Experience in budgeting, financial reporting, and internal controls.
  • Supervisory and organizational leadership experience.
  • Strong understanding of accounting principles and financial systems.
  • Excellent organizational, analytical, communication, and problem-solving skills.
  • Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise sound judgment.
  • Proficiency with accounting software, spreadsheets, databases, and office technology.
  • Ability to collaborate effectively with clergy, staff, volunteers, Finance Councils, school leadership, and Archdiocesan personnel.

Preferred
  • Experience in a Catholic parish, Catholic school, nonprofit, or faith-based organization.
  • Familiarity with Archdiocese of Seattle financial policies and procedures.
  • Experience supporting organizations undergoing transition, consolidation, or restructuring.
  • Knowledge of payroll systems, tuition systems, facilities budgeting, and cemetery accounting, where applicable

Any offered salary is determined based on internal equity, internal salary ranges, market data, applicant's skills and prior relevant experience, certain degrees and certifications.
Benefits: Eligible positions receive a comprehensive package of benefits including medical, dental, vision, life, accidental death and disability, long term disability, pension, 403(b), HSA, FSA, and generous sick leave, vacation and holidays.

Apply