How much does a clergy make?
The median clergy in the United States earns $60,810 per year, about $29.24 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all clergy earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 21-2011.
Clergy salary range
Pay for clergy spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $37,860 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $98,890. The average (mean) wage of $66,860 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $37,860 | $18.20 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $48,260 | $23.20 | |
| Median (50th) | $60,810 | $29.24 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $76,640 | $36.85 | |
| 90th percentile | $98,890 | $47.54 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for clergy (SOC 21-2011), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Clergy salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Clergy earn the most in Washington at $80,830 a year, and the least in West Virginia at $48,460. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| Washington | $80,830 | 1,060 |
| California | $77,710 | 7,110 |
| Nevada | $73,910 | 210 |
| Massachusetts | $72,190 | 840 |
| New Jersey | $65,500 | 1,460 |
| New Hampshire | $65,200 | 100 |
| Vermont | $64,950 | 50 |
| District of Columbia | $64,800 | 310 |
| Maine | $64,340 | 160 |
| New Mexico | $64,100 | 270 |
| Colorado | $63,700 | 440 |
| Connecticut | $63,470 | 900 |
| Delaware | $63,260 | 120 |
| Oregon | $63,140 | 3,850 |
| Arizona | $61,900 | 1,070 |
| Illinois | $61,820 | 2,200 |
| Maryland | $61,620 | 670 |
| Wyoming | $61,590 | 40 |
| Minnesota | $61,230 | 1,160 |
| Hawaii | $61,050 | 720 |
| Wisconsin | $60,950 | 770 |
| North Dakota | $60,680 | 120 |
| Iowa | $60,630 | 370 |
| Georgia | $60,530 | 1,380 |
| South Dakota | $59,860 | 140 |
| Rhode Island | $59,660 | 230 |
| North Carolina | $59,600 | 1,430 |
| Idaho | $59,570 | 150 |
| Montana | $59,550 | 680 |
| Texas | $59,480 | 3,180 |
| Ohio | $59,160 | 2,020 |
| Oklahoma | $59,110 | 510 |
| Indiana | $59,020 | 1,060 |
| Kentucky | $58,920 | 410 |
| Missouri | $58,740 | 920 |
| New York | $58,580 | 7,790 |
| Pennsylvania | $58,300 | 2,150 |
| Nebraska | $57,520 | 270 |
| Tennessee | $57,260 | 710 |
| Florida | $56,940 | 3,560 |
| South Carolina | $56,630 | 450 |
| Michigan | $56,490 | 1,880 |
| Alaska | $55,780 | 150 |
| Virginia | $55,430 | 1,220 |
| Louisiana | $54,140 | 400 |
| Mississippi | $52,450 | 250 |
| Kansas | $52,130 | 450 |
| Alabama | $50,180 | 850 |
| Arkansas | $49,070 | 350 |
| West Virginia | $48,460 | 290 |
State median wages for clergy (SOC 21-2011), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2025. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for clergy
The BLS projects employment of clergy to grow 2.4% from 2025 to 2035. That is about as fast as the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 242,000 jobs in 2025 moving toward 247,800 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 19,200 openings a year for clergy. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a clergy
The typical entry-level education for clergy is a bachelor's degree, according to the BLS. New hires typically complete moderate-term on-the-job training to reach full competency.
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a clergy earns
Employer, license or certification, caseload, and region shape pay. Government agencies and clinical settings tend to pay above nonprofit and entry-level roles.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (Washington, $80,830) and the lowest (West Virginia, $48,460) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 57,200 people work as clergy in the United States. At $60,810 a year, the job pays above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Clergy salary FAQ
How much does a clergy make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a clergy is $29.24. The middle half of clergy earn between $23.20 and $36.85 per hour.
What is the highest clergy salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of clergy earn more than $98,890 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a clergy make a year?
The median annual salary for a clergy is $60,810. The average (mean) wage of $66,860 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being a clergy a well paid job?
At $60,810 a year, a clergy earns above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 57,200 people work as clergy in the United States.
Which state pays clergy the most?
Washington has the highest median salary for clergy at $80,830 a year. California ($77,710) and Nevada ($73,910) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being a clergy a good career?
Employment of clergy is projected to grow 2.4% from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 19,200 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a clergy?
The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for clergy as a bachelor's degree, so a college degree is usually expected.
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