Median Salary
$60,810
per year, national
Hourly Rate
$29.24
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
Top 10% Earn
$98,890
entry level starts ~$37,860
Pay Grade
B
solid pay · 57,000 employed
How much does a Clergy make?
The median pay for a Clergy in the United States is $60,810 per year — about $29.24 per hour. Entry-level positions start near $37,860, while the most experienced Clergies in the top 10% earn $98,890.
That is $580 less than the median across all occupations in BLS data ($61,390).
Clergy salary range by percentile
Half of all Clergies earn between $48,260 and $76,640 a year.
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $37,860 | $18.20 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $48,260 | $23.20 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $60,810 | $29.24 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $76,640 | $36.85 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $98,890 | $47.54 |
|
Highest-paying states for Clergy
Where you work matters more than almost anything else. Washington leads the country for Clergy pay at $80,830 a year, followed by California ($77,710) and Nevada ($73,910). At the other end, West Virginia posts the lowest median at $48,460 — a gap of $32,370 for the same job, driven by local demand, industry mix, and cost of living.
Clergy salary in every state
Official BLS state-level figures across 50 states and territories. Click a state for the full local breakdown.
Washington $80,830California $77,710Nevada $73,910Massachusetts $72,190New Jersey $65,500New Hampshire $65,200Vermont $64,950District of Columbia $64,800Maine $64,340New Mexico $64,100Colorado $63,700Connecticut $63,470Delaware $63,260Oregon $63,140Arizona $61,900Illinois $61,820Maryland $61,620Wyoming $61,590Minnesota $61,230Hawaii $61,050Wisconsin $60,950North Dakota $60,680Iowa $60,630Georgia $60,530South Dakota $59,860Rhode Island $59,660North Carolina $59,600Idaho $59,570Montana $59,550Texas $59,480Ohio $59,160Oklahoma $59,110Indiana $59,020Kentucky $58,920Missouri $58,740New York $58,580Pennsylvania $58,300Nebraska $57,520Tennessee $57,260Florida $56,940South Carolina $56,630Michigan $56,490Alaska $55,780Virginia $55,430Louisiana $54,140Mississippi $52,450Kansas $52,130Alabama $50,180Arkansas $49,070West Virginia $48,460
Workforce and education
About 57,000 people work as Clergies in the United States. The mean (average) wage is $66,860 — above the median, which means high earners pull the average up. On qualifications: a master's degree (usually 5 to 6 years of college) is typically required, per O*NET occupation data.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Clergy make in the United States?
The median Clergy salary in the United States is $60,810 per year, or about $29.24 per hour, according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates. Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $37,860, while the top 10% of earners make $98,890 or more.
How does Clergy pay compare to other jobs?
With a pay grade of B (solid pay), the Clergy median of $60,810 is below the national median across all occupations tracked in BLS data ($61,390).
Which state pays Clergies the most?
Washington is the highest-paying state for Clergies, with a median salary of $80,830 per year, based on official state-level BLS wage estimates.
How long does it take to become a Clergy?
Becoming a Clergy typically requires around 6 years of college. A master's degree (usually 5 to 6 years of college) is typically required.
How many Clergies work in the United States?
About 57,000 people were employed as Clergies in the United States in the latest BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics estimates.
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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). Percentiles, employment, and state figures are official BLS estimates; hourly figures assume 2,080 hours/year. Individual pay varies by employer, experience, and location.