Clergy Salary
Clergy earn a median $60,810 a year nationally. Community and Social Service Occupations
U.S. median
$60,810
$29.24 per hour
Range
$37,860 – $98,890
10th to 90th percentile
Employed
57,200
across the U.S.
▼0.0%
Pay trend: The median for clergy in the U.S. fell from $60,820 (May 2024) to $60,810 (May 2025). That trailed inflation (2.4%), so buying power slipped about 2.4%.
What clergy do
Conduct religious worship and perform other spiritual functions associated with beliefs and practices of religious faith or denomination. Provide spiritual and moral guidance and assistance to members.
- Typical education
- Bachelor's degree
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- Moderate-term on-the-job training
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +2.4% (about average)
- Openings per year
- 19,200
- Self-employed
- 6%
Employment of clergy is projected to grow 2.4% from 2025 to 2035, about the same as the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 19,200 openings are expected each year, on average, including jobs left by workers who retire or switch careers.
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Clergy take-home pay calculator
Starts at the national median. Pick your state to see your real paycheck.
Your take-home pay
$51,041
per year · effective tax rate 16.1%
$4,253Monthly
$2,127Twice a month
$1,963Every 2 weeks
$24.54Hourly
- Federal income tax$5,117
- Social Security (6.2%)$3,770
- Medicare (1.45%)$882
- Texas income tax$0
- Take-home pay$51,041
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 0.00% state
Pay by experience
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home (no state tax) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $37,860 | $18.20 | $32,601 |
| 25th percentile | $48,260 | $23.20 | $40,957 |
| Median (50th) | $60,810 | $29.24 | $51,041 |
| 75th percentile | $76,640 | $36.85 | $62,746 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $98,890 | $47.54 | $78,399 |
Best cities for clergy (after tax & cost of living)
| # | Metro area | Median | Take-home | Real value* | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New York, NY | $61,860 | $49,141 | $43,657 | 6,110 |
*Take-home pay in U.S.-average dollars (BEA Regional Price Parities).
Highest-paying cities
- New York, NY — $61,860
Clergy salary by state
| State | Median | 1-yr change | Take-home | Range | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | $80,830 | +4.3% | $65,694 | $45,630 – $108,200 | 1,060 |
| California | $77,710 | −0.2% | $59,484 | $42,690 – $157,030 | 7,110 |
| Nevada | $73,910 | +5.4% | $60,826 | $51,070 – $82,810 | 210 |
| Massachusetts | $72,190 | +6.4% | $56,226 | $51,600 – $98,650 | 840 |
| New Jersey | $65,500 | +3.1% | $52,738 | $39,540 – $93,780 | 1,460 |
| New Hampshire | $65,200 | −2.2% | $54,568 | $51,480 – $81,160 | 100 |
| Vermont | $64,950 | −2.9% | $52,541 | $54,390 – $80,540 | 50 |
| District of Columbia | $64,800 | −0.3% | $51,481 | $40,600 – $99,270 | 310 |
| Maine | $64,340 | +1.8% | $50,716 | $47,390 – $74,030 | 160 |
| New Mexico | $64,100 | +11.5% | $51,837 | $47,050 – $85,280 | 270 |
| Colorado | $63,700 | −0.4% | $51,269 | $50,750 – $82,410 | 440 |
| Connecticut | $63,470 | −2.4% | $51,247 | $44,390 – $100,460 | 900 |
| Delaware | $63,260 | +3.3% | $50,175 | $51,270 – $78,150 | 120 |
| Oregon | $63,140 | −0.4% | $48,218 | $37,970 – $99,960 | 3,850 |
| Arizona | $61,900 | −0.8% | $50,578 | $44,440 – $102,290 | 1,070 |
| Illinois | $61,820 | +2.5% | $48,937 | $36,760 – $86,390 | 2,200 |
| Maryland | $61,620 | +6.2% | $49,128 | $36,450 – $104,330 | 670 |
| Wyoming | $61,590 | −3.6% | $51,668 | $40,910 – $78,850 | 40 |
| Minnesota | $61,230 | −6.3% | $48,738 | $38,350 – $79,000 | 1,160 |
| Hawaii | $61,050 | −4.6% | $48,124 | $46,710 – $90,270 | 720 |
| Wisconsin | $60,950 | −2.9% | $49,253 | $47,320 – $80,770 | 770 |
| North Dakota | $60,680 | +4.4% | $50,936 | $35,740 – $86,840 | 120 |
| Iowa | $60,630 | +2.3% | $49,244 | $46,920 – $73,340 | 370 |
| Georgia | $60,530 | −7.6% | $48,297 | $35,260 – $85,530 | 1,380 |
| South Dakota | $59,860 | +8.7% | $50,278 | $37,890 – $75,500 | 140 |
| Rhode Island | $59,660 | −4.3% | $48,496 | $34,180 – $88,420 | 230 |
| North Carolina | $59,600 | +0.1% | $48,199 | $39,880 – $82,350 | 1,430 |
| Idaho | $59,570 | −3.0% | $47,996 | $32,310 – $77,740 | 150 |
| Montana | $59,550 | +1.0% | $47,986 | $35,050 – $96,460 | 680 |
| Texas | $59,480 | −0.1% | $49,972 | $37,220 – $84,940 | 3,180 |
| Ohio | $59,160 | −0.1% | $48,871 | $36,910 – $79,180 | 2,020 |
| Oklahoma | $59,110 | +4.7% | $47,560 | $40,150 – $79,860 | 510 |
| Indiana | $59,020 | +2.5% | $47,891 | $37,860 – $77,670 | 1,060 |
| Kentucky | $58,920 | +0.5% | $47,578 | $40,640 – $80,630 | 410 |
| Missouri | $58,740 | −2.1% | $47,554 | $44,260 – $77,940 | 920 |
| New York | $58,580 | −0.7% | $46,683 | $38,780 – $129,200 | 7,790 |
| Pennsylvania | $58,300 | +3.1% | $47,234 | $31,580 – $81,360 | 2,150 |
| Nebraska | $57,520 | +7.4% | $46,660 | $45,920 – $67,230 | 270 |
| Tennessee | $57,260 | +11.0% | $48,188 | $41,600 – $73,920 | 710 |
| Florida | $56,940 | −4.2% | $47,931 | $35,950 – $88,560 | 3,560 |
| South Carolina | $56,630 | −4.3% | $45,442 | $42,110 – $79,950 | 450 |
| Michigan | $56,490 | +4.3% | $45,420 | $36,730 – $74,470 | 1,880 |
| Alaska | $55,780 | +1.3% | $46,999 | $35,910 – $76,820 | 150 |
| Virginia | $55,430 | −1.3% | $44,345 | $32,710 – $81,680 | 1,220 |
| Louisiana | $54,140 | −5.6% | $44,444 | $31,270 – $75,490 | 400 |
| Mississippi | $52,450 | +3.9% | $42,958 | $35,030 – $85,810 | 250 |
| Kansas | $52,130 | −9.5% | $41,957 | $29,060 – $68,250 | 450 |
| Alabama | $50,180 | +0.3% | $40,256 | $38,480 – $71,650 | 850 |
| Arkansas | $49,070 | −4.2% | $39,907 | $30,070 – $78,850 | 350 |
| West Virginia | $48,460 | +32.4% | $39,665 | $36,600 – $63,770 | 290 |
Related jobs
| Job | Median salary | Education | Growth 2025–35 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Directors, Religious Activities and Education | $52,100 | Bachelor's degree | +3.3% |
| Religious Workers, All Other | $45,280 | Bachelor's degree | +1.5% |
| Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Worker | $60,280 | Master's degree | +10.3% |
| Child, Family, and School Social Workers | $59,550 | Bachelor's degree | +4.4% |
| Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors | $59,350 | Master's degree | +18.4% |
| Health Education Specialist | $64,070 | Bachelor's degree | +5.6% |
| Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors | $64,330 | Master's degree | +2.9% |
| Community and Social Service Specialists, All Other | $56,730 | Bachelor's degree | +5.5% |
| Probation Officer and Correctional Treatment Specialist | $66,270 | Bachelor's degree | +3.0% |
| Marriage and Family Therapist | $66,940 | Master's degree | +13.5% |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a clergy make?
The national median salary for clergy is $60,810 a year ($29.24 an hour). The lowest-paid 10% earn under $37,860 and the top 10% earn over $98,890. Source: BLS, May 2025.
Which state pays clergy the most?
Washington has the highest median pay at $80,830. After taxes and local prices, New York, NY offers the best real take-home pay of any metro area.
How many clergy are there in the U.S.?
About 57,200 people work as clergy nationwide.