As of May 01, 2025, the average annual salary for a Clergy in the United States is $101,900. Salary.com reports that pay typically ranges from $88,300 to $119,000, with most professionals earning between $75,918 and $134,569.
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $119,000 | $9,917 | $2,288 | $57 |
| Average | $101,900 | $8,492 | $1,960 | $49 |
| 25th Percentile | $88,300 | $7,358 | $1,698 | $42 |
An entry-level Clergy with less than 1 year of experience earns about $96,825. With 1-2 years of experience, the average salary increases to $97,434. For 2-4 years of experience, the pay typically rises to $99,464. Senior-level professionals with 5-8 years of experience earn around $101,900, and those with over 8 years of experience can expect an average of $106,239.
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Entry Level Clergy | $96,825 |
| Intermediate Level Clergy | $97,434 |
| Senior Level Clergy | $99,464 |
| Specialist Level Clergy | $101,900 |
| Expert Level Clergy | $106,239 |
| Entry Level | 5% |
| Mid Level | 4% |
| Senior Level | 2% |
| Top Level | 0% |
| Experienced | 4% |
Salaries in the United States differ widely between states due to factors like cost of living, local economies, and industry presence.
What Am I Worth?
Salaries in the United States can vary greatly between cities due to factors like cost of living, local economies, and industry presence.
As of May 01, 2025, our research reveals a significant shift in Clergy compensation over the past six years. For example, the median salary increased from $97,357 in 2023 to approximately $98,842 in 2024. (For a detailed analysis of Clergy salary trends, click here.)
Key factors like location, experience, industry demand, and economic growth significantly influence salary variations, making them important to consider.
Salary.com job board provides millions of Clergy information for you to search for. Click on search button below to see Clergy job openings or enter a new job title here.
Here are companies hiring for Clergy and their salaries, click below for more details.
| Core Compensation | ||||
| Core Compensation | Median | % of Total | ||
| Base Salary | $101,900 | 62.5% | ||
| Bonus | $18,000 | 11.0% | ||
| Value of Benefits | ||||
| Core Compensation | Median | % of Total | ||
| Social Security | $9,172 | 5.6% | ||
| 401K/403B | $5,635 | 3.5% | ||
| Disability | $959 | 0.6% | ||
| Healthcare | $6,056 | 3.7% | ||
| Pension | $6,595 | 4.0% | ||
| Time Off | $14,757 | 9.0% | ||
| Total Compensation | $163,074 | 100% | ||
| Degree Level | % of user with this level of education |
|---|---|
| No Diploma | 1.6% |
| High School | 7.9% |
| Associates | 4.4% |
| Bachelors | 27.2% |
| Masters | 43.6% |
| Doctorate | 15.4% |
What Am I Worth?
Yes, being a pastor is typically a full-time job. They often work six days a week, with one day off, and Sundays are mandatory workdays. The salary for clergy ranges from a minimum of $89,700 to a maximum of $123,700, with a mid-range salary of $109,200, reflecting the commitment and responsibilities involved in the role.
Pastors typically lead a church, while ministers may engage in various ministry roles outside of traditional church settings. In a church hierarchy, pastors usually do not report to ministers, but ministers often report to pastors. Regarding compensation, clergy salaries range from a minimum of $89,700 to a maximum of $123,700, with a mid-salary of $109,200.
Yes, a clergy member can be considered a pastor. The terms pastor, clergy, and minister are often used interchangeably, with most courts interpreting them broadly. In terms of compensation, clergy salaries typically range from a minimum of $89,700 to a maximum of $123,700, with a mid-salary around $109,200.
Pastors do not pay FICA tax, but churches are encouraged to provide a Social Security allowance to help offset this burden. Given the salary range for clergy, with a minimum of $89,700, a mid-salary of $109,200, and a maximum of $123,700, churches should aim to cover at least 50% of their pastor's Social Security obligations through this allowance.
Pastors can earn a competitive salary, with a minimum of $89,700, a mid-range of $109,200, and a maximum of $123,700. For example, in California, the average pay for a full-time senior pastor is around $111,695, while in Mississippi, it is approximately $91,732, highlighting a significant salary difference of nearly $20,000.
Ministers must pay self-employment (SECA) taxes on their housing allowance or the fair rental value of their home if they live in a parsonage. Given the salary data, with a minimum salary of $89,700, a mid-salary of $109,200, and a maximum salary of $123,700, these taxes can significantly impact their overall income.
Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.
We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)
With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.
