Pastor Salary in the United States

How much does a Pastor make in the United States?

As of February 01, 2026, the average salary for a Pastor in the United States is $109,092 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $52.

However, a Pastor's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $138,144
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $91,395 to $124,299
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $75,283
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View as table View as graph 25% $91,395 10% $75,283 90% $138,144 75% $124,299 $109,092 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Pastor Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $124,299 $10,358 $2,390 $60
Average $109,092 $9,091 $2,098 $52
25th Percentile $91,395 $7,616 $1,758 $44
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Key Factors That Influence Pastor Salaries

A Pastor's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Pastor Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Pastor's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $102,489
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $103,281
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $105,922
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $109,092
  • Expert (over 8 years): $112,950
Levels Salary
Entry Level Pastor$102,489
Intermediate Level Pastor$103,281
Senior Level Pastor$105,922
Specialist Level Pastor$109,092
Expert Level Pastor$112,950
$102,489 0 yr
$103,281 < 2 yrs
$105,922 2-4 yrs
$109,092 5-8 yrs
$112,950 > 8 yrs
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What Am I Worth?

Top Paying Cities for Pastors

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $137,598
  • San Francisco: $136,245
  • Oakland: $133,223

What Skills Can Increase a Pastor's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Leadership (Mentioned in 34.99% Job Postings): Knowledge of and ability to employ effective strategies that motivate and guide other members within our business to achieve optimum results.
  • Case Management (Mentioned in 0.86% Job Postings): Connecting patients with suitable healthcare providers, resources, and services to ensure they receive optimal, cost-effective care.
  • Hospice Care (Mentioned in 0.75% Job Postings): Hospice care is a type of care and philosophy of care that focuses on the palliation of a chronically ill, terminally ill or seriously ill patient's pain and symptoms, and attending to their emotional and spiritual needs. In Western society, the concept of hospice has been evolving in Europe since the 11th century. Then, and for centuries thereafter in Roman Catholic tradition, hospices were places of hospitality for the sick, wounded, or dying, as well as those for travelers and pilgrims. The modern concept of hospice includes palliative care for the incurably ill given in such institutions as hospitals or nursing homes, but also care provided to those who would rather spend their last months and days of life in their own homes. The first modern hospice care was created by Cicely Saunders in 1967. In the United States the term is largely defined by the practices of the Medicare system and other health insurance providers, which make hospice care available, either in an inpatient facility or at the patient's home, to patients with a terminal prognosis who are medically certified at hospice onset to have less than six months to live. According to the NHPCO [National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization] 2012 report on facts and figures of Hospice care, 66.4% received care in their place of residence and 26.1% in a Hospice inpatient facility. In the late 1970s the U.S. government began to view hospice care as a humane care option for the terminally ill. In 1982 Congress initiated the creation of the Medicare Hospice Benefit which became permanent in 1986. In 1993, President Clinton installed hospice as a guaranteed benefit and an accepted component of health care provisions. Outside the United States, the term hospice tends to be primarily associated with the particular buildings or institutions that specialize in such care (although so-called "hospice at home" services may also be available).[citation needed] Outside the United States such institutions may similarly provide care mostly in an end-of-life setting, but they may also be available for patients with other specific palliative care needs. Hospice care also involves assistance for patients’ families to help them cope with what is happening and provide care and support to keep the patient at home. Although the movement has met with some resistance, hospice has rapidly expanded through the United Kingdom, the United States and elsewhere.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Leadership 34.99%
Case Management 0.86%
Hospice Care 0.75%
What skills can make your compensation higher?
Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a Pastor's salary.
  • Staff Development: Can increase your salary by up to 9%.
  • Decision Making: Can increase your salary by up to 8%.
  • Strategic Planning: Can increase your salary by up to 8%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Staff Development
$118,910
9%
Decision Making
$117,819
8%
Strategic Planning
$117,819
8%
Case Management
$115,638
6%
Alignment
$114,547
5%
Collaboration
$114,547
5%
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How Education impacts a Pastor's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Pastors enter the field with a Master's Degree or MBA degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a Pastor with a Master's Degree or MBA is between $102,119 and $111,705).

Pastor Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Pastor
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%
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Pastor Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Pastor's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on February 01, 2026

Most common benefits for Pastor

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for Pastor

Here are companies hiring for Pastor and their salaries, click below for more details.

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Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Pastor job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

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FAQ about Pastor

1. Where can a Pastor earn the most?

A Pastor's earning potential can vary widely depending on several factors, including location, industry, experience, education, and the specific employer. According to the latest salary data by Salary.com, a Pastor earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Pastor is $137,598.

2. What is the highest pay for Pastor?

The highest pay for Pastor is $138,144.

3. What is the lowest pay for Pastor?

The lowest pay for Pastor is $75,283.

4. What are the responsibilities of Pastor?

Directs religious services and all daily operations of an organization. Provides spiritual leadership, guidance, and assistance to members. Supervises church staff and associated administrative businesses to ensure operational needs are met. Designs and oversees outreach and educational programs and events to support the community. Coordinates volunteers to ensure community outreach goals are fulfilled. Performs religious services, leads prayer, and conducts worship. Requires a bachelor's degree. Typically reports to a regional or chapter manager. Typically manages through subordinate managers and professionals in larger groups of moderate complexity. Provides input to strategic decisions that affect the functional area of responsibility. May give input into developing the budget. Typically requires 3+ years of managerial experience. Capable of resolving escalated issues arising from operations and requiring coordination with other departments.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

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.

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