Clergy Salary in Chicago, IL
Clergy in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn a median $61,820 a year — 2% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $48,937 take-home, or $4,078 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median clergy salary in Chicago, IL. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$5,238
- Social Security (6.2%)$3,833
- Medicare (1.45%)$896
- Illinois income tax$2,915
- Take-home pay$48,937
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 4.95% state
The Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro spans Illinois, Indiana. Pick the state you live in — state income tax follows your residence.
Clergy pay by experience in Chicago, IL
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,870 | $17.73 | $30,125 | $2,510 |
| 25th percentile | $50,030 | $24.05 | $40,047 | $3,337 |
| Median (50th) | $61,820 | $29.72 | $48,937 | $4,078 |
| 75th percentile | $76,130 | $36.60 | $58,764 | $4,897 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $85,400 | $41.06 | $64,826 | $5,402 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Illinois resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $61,820 buys in Chicago, IL
Prices in Chicago, IL are 3.6% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.12× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median clergy's $48,937 take-home pay has the buying power of $47,239 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Clergy jobs are about as common in Chicago, IL as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 1.02).
Best-paying cities for clergy, adjusted for cost of living
Chicago, IL ranks #19 of 24 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Seattle, WA | $81,750 | $66,341 | $59,695 |
| 2 | Riverside, CA | $78,330 | $59,862 | $56,239 |
| 3 | San Diego, CA | $77,450 | $59,325 | $53,023 |
| 4 | Columbus, OH | $60,820 | $50,159 | $52,539 |
| 5 | Boston, MA | $73,160 | $56,860 | $52,519 |
| 6 | Houston, TX | $61,010 | $51,202 | $51,913 |
| 7 | Atlanta, GA | $65,150 | $51,770 | $51,740 |
| 8 | St. Louis, MO | $60,290 | $48,727 | $51,244 |
| 19 | Chicago, IL | $61,820 | $48,937 | $47,239 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 24 metros →
Frequently asked questions
How much does a clergy make in Chicago, IL?
The median clergy salary in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area is $61,820 a year, or about $29.72 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $50,030 and $76,130.
What is a clergy’s take-home pay in Chicago, IL?
On the median $61,820 salary, a single filer living in Illinois takes home about $48,937 a year ($4,078 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $2,915 in Illinois taxes in 2026.
Is Chicago, IL a good place to work as a clergy?
Pay here is 2% above the national median of $60,810. Local prices are 3.6% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $47,239 would in a typical U.S. city. Chicago, IL ranks #19 of 24 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a clergy afford rent in Chicago, IL?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Chicago, IL is $1,534 a month ($1,743 for two bedrooms) — 38% of a median clergy’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Chicago, IL
- Social Workers, All Other — $71,740
- Healthcare Social Worker — $71,430
- Probation Officer and Correctional Treatment Specialist — $67,610
- Child, Family, and School Social Workers — $64,790
- Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors — $64,730
- Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors — $61,600
- Marriage and Family Therapist — $61,360
- Health Education Specialist — $60,120
- Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Worker — $57,720
- Religious Workers, All Other — $50,210
- Community Health Worker — $49,750
- Rehabilitation Counselor — $49,350