Clergy Salary in Seattle, WA
Clergy in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area earn a median $81,750 a year — 34% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $66,341 take-home, or $5,528 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median clergy salary in Seattle, WA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$9,155
- Social Security (6.2%)$5,069
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,185
- Washington income tax$0
- Take-home pay$66,341
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 0.00% state
Clergy pay by experience in Seattle, WA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $44,390 | $21.34 | $37,847 | $3,154 |
| 25th percentile | $74,210 | $35.68 | $61,037 | $5,086 |
| Median (50th) | $81,750 | $39.30 | $66,341 | $5,528 |
| 75th percentile | $93,850 | $45.12 | $74,853 | $6,238 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $125,000 | $60.10 | $96,704 | $8,059 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Washington resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $81,750 buys in Seattle, WA
Prices in Seattle, WA are 11.1% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.51× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median clergy's $66,341 take-home pay has the buying power of $59,695 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 Seattle, WA as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.96).
Best-paying cities for clergy, adjusted for cost of living
Seattle, WA ranks #1 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 |
*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 Seattle, WA?
The median clergy salary in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area is $81,750 a year, or about $39.30 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $74,210 and $93,850.
What is a clergy’s take-home pay in Seattle, WA?
On the median $81,750 salary, a single filer living in Washington takes home about $66,341 a year ($5,528 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare in 2026.
Is Seattle, WA a good place to work as a clergy?
Pay here is 34% above the national median of $60,810. Local prices are 11.1% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $59,695 would in a typical U.S. city. Seattle, WA ranks #1 of 24 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a clergy afford rent in Seattle, WA?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Seattle, WA is $2,022 a month ($2,379 for two bedrooms) — 37% of a median clergy’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Seattle, WA
- Social Workers, All Other — $105,570
- Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors — $87,280
- Probation Officer and Correctional Treatment Specialist — $85,430
- Healthcare Social Worker — $83,550
- Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Worker — $78,350
- Child, Family, and School Social Workers — $75,280
- Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors — $73,580
- Community and Social Service Specialists, All Other — $70,630
- Religious Workers, All Other — $62,620
- Rehabilitation Counselor — $58,580
- Social and Human Service Assistant — $58,090
- Community Health Worker — $57,980