Clergy Salary in Illinois (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Clergies in Illinois, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Illinois Median
$61,820
per year
Hourly Rate
$29.72
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+2% vs US median
US median $60,810
State Rank
#16 of 50
2,200 employed here

How much does a Clergy make in Illinois?

Clergies in Illinois take home a median of $61,820 annually — roughly $29.72 an hour — which runs 2% above the national median of $60,810.

Within Illinois, entry-level pay starts around $36,760 while the top 10% make $86,390 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $46,630 and $75,160 a year.

Clergy salary range in Illinois

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$36,760$17.67
25th percentile (early career)$46,630$22.42
50th percentile (median)$61,820$29.72
75th percentile (experienced)$75,160$36.13
90th percentile (top earners)$86,390$41.53

How Illinois compares

Illinois ranks 16th out of 50 states and territories for Clergy pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1Washington$80,830
2California$77,710
3Nevada$73,910
4Massachusetts$72,190
5New Jersey$65,500

Working as a Clergy in Illinois

Nationally, about 57,000 people work as Clergies in the United States. A master's degree (usually 5 to 6 years of college) is typically required.

Considering a move? Compare Illinois pay ($61,820) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a Clergy make in Illinois?
The median Clergy salary in Illinois is $61,820 per year, or about $29.72 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $36,760 at the entry level to $86,390 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Illinois pay compare to the national average?
Illinois pays Clergies about 2% more than the national median of $60,810. Illinois ranks 16th out of 50 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Illinois a good state for Clergies?
Yes on pay — Illinois pays above the national median for this occupation, at $61,820 a year. About 2,200 Clergies are employed in Illinois. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Illinois?
The highest-paying occupations in Illinois include Cardiologist ($517,850), Surgeon, All Other ($438,010), Dermatologist ($435,750), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.

← See the national Clergy salary report

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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.