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Clergy

Clergy score 33 out of 100, which is moderate exposure to AI. That ranks #490 of 923 US occupations, where #1 is the most exposed. Of the 21 tasks in this job, AI could speed up 4 on its own and 6 more with extra software built on top of it. In April–May 2026, 7 of these tasks showed up in real conversations with Claude, Anthropic's AI assistant.

33/ 100
Moderate
Rank
#490of 923 jobs
US workers
57,200BLS, May 2025
Median pay
$60,810a year
In real AI use
7 of 21tasks, April–May 2026

Task by task

Each task this job involves, as listed by O*NET, rated on whether a large language model like GPT-4 could cut the time it takes by at least half at the same quality. Tasks marked Seen in real AI use appeared in conversations with Claude in April–May 2026 (Anthropic Economic Index).

  • AI can speed this up on its own: 4 (19%)
  • AI can speed this up with extra software: 6 (29%)
  • Little or no AI speed-up: 11 (52%)
  • Read from sacred texts, such as the Bible, Torah, or Koran.AI can speed this up on its own · core task
  • Prepare and deliver sermons or other talks.AI can speed this up on its own · core task
  • Study and interpret religious laws, doctrines, or traditions.AI can speed this up on its own · core task · Seen in real AI use
  • Share information about religious issues by writing articles, giving speeches, or teaching.AI can speed this up on its own · core task · Seen in real AI use
  • Plan or lead religious education programs.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task · Seen in real AI use
  • Devise ways in which congregational membership can be expanded.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
  • Collaborate with committees or individuals to address financial or administrative issues pertaining to congregations.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
  • Refer people to community support services, psychologists, or doctors.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task · Seen in real AI use
  • Participate in fundraising activities to support congregational activities or facilities.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
  • Perform administrative duties, such as overseeing building management, ordering supplies, contracting for services or repairs, or supervising the work of staff members or volunteers.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
  • Pray and promote spirituality.Little or no AI speed-up · core task · Seen in real AI use
  • Organize and lead regular religious services.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
  • Instruct people who seek conversion to a particular faith.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
  • Counsel individuals or groups concerning their spiritual, emotional, or personal needs.Little or no AI speed-up · core task · Seen in real AI use
  • Administer religious rites or ordinances.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
  • Visit people in homes, hospitals, or prisons to provide them with comfort and support.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
  • Conduct special ceremonies, such as weddings, funerals, or confirmations.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
  • Train leaders of church, community, or youth groups.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
  • Respond to requests for assistance during emergencies or crises.Little or no AI speed-up · core task · Seen in real AI use
  • Prepare people for participation in religious ceremonies.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
  • Organize or engage in interfaith, community, civic, educational, or recreational activities sponsored by or related to religious programs.Little or no AI speed-up · core task

Similar jobs, lower exposure

Related occupations that score at least 10 points lower.

Other jobs in this field

Community and Social Service occupations close to this one.

Questions about clergy and AI

Will AI replace clergy?

Unlikely. Most of the work is hard for today's AI to speed up. Clergy score 33 out of 100 (moderate exposure), #490 of 923 US jobs. AI could speed up 10 of the job's 21 tasks, 4 of them on its own, while 11 see little or no speed-up. Exposure means the work is likely to change, not that the job will disappear.

Which clergy tasks can AI do?

The most exposed tasks include "Read from sacred texts, such as the Bible, Torah, or Koran"; "Prepare and deliver sermons or other talks"; "Study and interpret religious laws, doctrines, or traditions".

Which clergy tasks are hardest for AI?

Tasks with little or no AI speed-up include "Pray and promote spirituality"; "Organize and lead regular religious services"; "Instruct people who seek conversion to a particular faith".

Are people already using AI for this work?

Yes. In April–May 2026, 7 of the 21 tasks showed up in real conversations with Claude, according to the Anthropic Economic Index.

How many people work as clergy, and what do they earn?

About 57,200 people in the US, with median pay of $60,810 a year (BLS, May 2025).

How to read this score. Exposure measures how much of the work AI could speed up, not whether the job will disappear. A highly exposed job can change shape, with people spending less time on routine tasks and more on the rest. The score counts tasks AI can speed up on its own in full, and tasks that need extra software at half weight.

The ratings come from published research based on GPT-4 (2023). To show what's happening now, each task is also checked against the latest Anthropic Economic Index, which records which tasks people actually use AI for. That data is refreshed automatically when Anthropic publishes a new release. Read the full method.

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