Clergy Salary in Washington, DC
Clergy in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area earn a median $61,170 a year — 1% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $48,801 take-home, or $4,067 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median clergy salary in Washington, DC. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$5,160
- Social Security (6.2%)$3,793
- Medicare (1.45%)$887
- District of Columbia income tax$2,530
- Take-home pay$48,801
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 6.50% state
The Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro spans District of Columbia, Virginia, Maryland, West Virginia. Pick the state you live in — state income tax follows your residence.
Clergy pay by experience in Washington, DC
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $37,800 | $18.17 | $31,450 | $2,621 |
| 25th percentile | $48,010 | $23.08 | $39,041 | $3,253 |
| Median (50th) | $61,170 | $29.41 | $48,801 | $4,067 |
| 75th percentile | $79,220 | $38.09 | $60,796 | $5,066 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $100,830 | $48.48 | $74,162 | $6,180 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, District of Columbia resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $61,170 buys in Washington, DC
Prices in Washington, DC are 8.9% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.51× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median clergy's $48,801 take-home pay has the buying power of $44,819 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 less concentrated in Washington, DC than nationally (location quotient 0.73), so openings may be scarcer.
Best-paying cities for clergy, adjusted for cost of living
Washington, DC ranks #21 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 |
| 21 | Washington, DC | $61,170 | $48,801 | $44,819 |
*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 Washington, DC?
The median clergy salary in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area is $61,170 a year, or about $29.41 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $48,010 and $79,220.
What is a clergy’s take-home pay in Washington, DC?
On the median $61,170 salary, a single filer living in District of Columbia takes home about $48,801 a year ($4,067 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $2,530 in District of Columbia taxes in 2026.
Is Washington, DC a good place to work as a clergy?
Pay here is 1% above the national median of $60,810. Local prices are 8.9% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $44,819 would in a typical U.S. city. Washington, DC ranks #21 of 24 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a clergy afford rent in Washington, DC?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Washington, DC is $1,990 a month ($2,223 for two bedrooms) — 49% of a median clergy’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Washington, DC
- Health Education Specialist — $124,590
- Social Workers, All Other — $93,220
- Healthcare Social Worker — $80,710
- Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Worker — $78,210
- Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors — $77,420
- Child, Family, and School Social Workers — $75,550
- Probation Officer and Correctional Treatment Specialist — $73,610
- Counselors, All Other — $70,610
- Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors — $65,270
- Directors, Religious Activities and Education — $60,650
- Community Health Worker — $58,790
- Community and Social Service Specialists, All Other — $58,440