Clergy Salary in 2026
How Much Do Clergys Make?
Clergys earn a median annual salary of $60,820 as of 2026, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data. Wages span from $37,140 at the 10th percentile to $99,720 at the 90th percentile — a range of $62,580. The highest-paying state is California at $77,850.
| Percentile | Annual salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $37,140 |
| 25th percentile | $47,220 |
| Median (50th) | $60,820 |
| 75th percentile | $76,340 |
| 90th percentile | $99,720 |
Clergy Salary by State
Median annual salary across all 50 states. Click a column to sort.
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Californiatop | $77,850 |
| Washington | $77,530 |
| Nevada | $70,150 |
| Massachusetts | $67,830 |
| Vermont | $66,860 |
| New Hampshire | $66,670 |
| Georgia | $65,510 |
| Minnesota | $65,350 |
| Connecticut | $65,040 |
| District of Columbia | $64,990 |
| Hawaii | $64,010 |
| Colorado | $63,980 |
| Wyoming | $63,860 |
| New Jersey | $63,530 |
| Oregon | $63,370 |
| Maine | $63,180 |
| Wisconsin | $62,770 |
| Arizona | $62,380 |
| Rhode Island | $62,340 |
| Idaho | $61,420 |
| Delaware | $61,250 |
| Illinois | $60,290 |
| Missouri | $59,980 |
| Texas | $59,550 |
| North Carolina | $59,530 |
| Florida | $59,430 |
| Iowa | $59,270 |
| Ohio | $59,220 |
| South Carolina | $59,170 |
| New York | $58,980 |
| Montana | $58,970 |
| Kentucky | $58,610 |
| North Dakota | $58,140 |
| Maryland | $58,030 |
| Kansas | $57,610 |
| Indiana | $57,580 |
| New Mexico | $57,490 |
| Louisiana | $57,370 |
| Pennsylvania | $56,540 |
| Oklahoma | $56,480 |
| Virginia | $56,170 |
| South Dakota | $55,080 |
| Alaska | $55,040 |
| Michigan | $54,160 |
| Nebraska | $53,550 |
| Tennessee | $51,580 |
| Arkansas | $51,240 |
| Mississippi | $50,500 |
| Alabama | $50,050 |
| West Virginia | $36,600 |
Highest-Paying Metros for Clergys
Clergy Salary by Experience
Estimated salary ranges derived from BLS wage percentiles. Entry level corresponds to P10–P25, mid-career to the median, experienced to P75, and senior to P90+.
| Experience level | Estimated salary |
|---|---|
| Entry level (0–2 yrs) | ~$37,140 – $47,220 |
| Mid career (3–7 yrs) | ~$60,820 |
| Experienced (8–15 yrs) | ~$76,340 |
| Senior (15+ yrs) | $99,720+ |
How to Earn More as a Clergy
Location is the single biggest salary lever: Clergys in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA earn $92,860 — $32,040 above the national median. An advanced credential — such as a graduate degree or specialized certification — is consistently associated with higher earnings in this field. Reaching the 75th percentile ($76,340) typically requires 5–10 years of experience plus specialization in a high-demand area.
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Clergy Salary vs Similar Careers
| Career | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Clergythis career | $60,820 |
| Education Administrators, Kindergarten through Secondary | $104,070 |
| Education Administrator | $103,960 |
| Social and Community Service Manager | $78,240 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologist | $95,830 |
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SOC: 21-2011.00 · Data: BLS OEWS 2026, O*NET 29.1 · Salary figures are national medians unless otherwise noted.