Clergy Salary in St. Louis, MO
Clergy in the St. Louis, MO-IL metro area earn a median $60,290 a year — 1% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $48,727 take-home, or $4,061 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median clergy salary in St. Louis, MO. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$5,055
- Social Security (6.2%)$3,738
- Medicare (1.45%)$874
- Missouri income tax$1,896
- Take-home pay$48,727
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 4.70% state
The St. Louis, MO-IL metro spans Missouri, Illinois. Pick the state you live in — state income tax follows your residence.
Clergy pay by experience in St. Louis, MO
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $41,470 | $19.94 | $34,489 | $2,874 |
| 25th percentile | $55,920 | $26.88 | $45,421 | $3,785 |
| Median (50th) | $60,290 | $28.99 | $48,727 | $4,061 |
| 75th percentile | $69,800 | $33.56 | $55,591 | $4,633 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $78,820 | $37.89 | $61,513 | $5,126 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Missouri resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $60,290 buys in St. Louis, MO
Prices in St. Louis, MO are 4.9% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 21% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median clergy's $48,727 take-home pay has the buying power of $51,244 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 St. Louis, MO as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.90).
Best-paying cities for clergy, adjusted for cost of living
St. Louis, MO ranks #8 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 St. Louis, MO?
The median clergy salary in the St. Louis, MO-IL metro area is $60,290 a year, or about $28.99 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $55,920 and $69,800.
What is a clergy’s take-home pay in St. Louis, MO?
On the median $60,290 salary, a single filer living in Missouri takes home about $48,727 a year ($4,061 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $1,896 in Missouri taxes in 2026.
Is St. Louis, MO a good place to work as a clergy?
Pay here is 1% below the national median of $60,810. Local prices are 4.9% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $51,244 would in a typical U.S. city. St. Louis, MO ranks #8 of 24 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a clergy afford rent in St. Louis, MO?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in St. Louis, MO is $989 a month ($1,211 for two bedrooms) — 24% of a median clergy’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in St. Louis, MO
- Healthcare Social Worker — $62,200
- Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors — $60,160
- Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors — $58,570
- Child, Family, and School Social Workers — $51,080
- Community Health Worker — $49,650
- Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Worker — $49,520
- Probation Officer and Correctional Treatment Specialist — $47,260
- Social and Human Service Assistant — $45,430
- Rehabilitation Counselor — $44,620