Clergy Salary by State
The national median pay for clergy is $60,810 a year. By state, it ranges from $48,460 in West Virginia to $80,830 in Washington.
Updated October 2026 · Data: BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
U.S. pay range
- Lowest 10%
- $37,860
- 25th percentile
- $48,260
- Median
- $60,810
- 75th percentile
- $76,640
- Top 10%
- $98,890
Annual pay, all U.S. workers in this job. About 57,200 jobs.
Median pay in 49 states and DC
| # | State | Median | vs. U.S. | Lowest 10% | Top 10% | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washington | $80,830 | +33% | $45,630 | $108,200 | 1,060 |
| 2 | California | $77,710 | +28% | $42,690 | $157,030 | 7,110 |
| 3 | Nevada | $73,910 | +22% | $51,070 | $82,810 | 210 |
| 4 | Massachusetts | $72,190 | +19% | $51,600 | $98,650 | 840 |
| 5 | New Jersey | $65,500 | +8% | $39,540 | $93,780 | 1,460 |
| 6 | New Hampshire | $65,200 | +7% | $51,480 | $81,160 | 100 |
| 7 | Vermont | $64,950 | +7% | $54,390 | $80,540 | 50 |
| 8 | District of Columbia | $64,800 | +7% | $40,600 | $99,270 | 310 |
| 9 | Maine | $64,340 | +6% | $47,390 | $74,030 | 160 |
| 10 | New Mexico | $64,100 | +5% | $47,050 | $85,280 | 270 |
| 11 | Colorado | $63,700 | +5% | $50,750 | $82,410 | 440 |
| 12 | Connecticut | $63,470 | +4% | $44,390 | $100,460 | 900 |
| 13 | Delaware | $63,260 | +4% | $51,270 | $78,150 | 120 |
| 14 | Oregon | $63,140 | +4% | $37,970 | $99,960 | 3,850 |
| 15 | Arizona | $61,900 | +2% | $44,440 | $102,290 | 1,070 |
| 16 | Illinois | $61,820 | +2% | $36,760 | $86,390 | 2,200 |
| 17 | Maryland | $61,620 | +1% | $36,450 | $104,330 | 670 |
| 18 | Wyoming | $61,590 | +1% | $40,910 | $78,850 | 40 |
| 19 | Minnesota | $61,230 | +1% | $38,350 | $79,000 | 1,160 |
| 20 | Hawaii | $61,050 | 0% | $46,710 | $90,270 | 720 |
| 21 | Wisconsin | $60,950 | 0% | $47,320 | $80,770 | 770 |
| 22 | North Dakota | $60,680 | 0% | $35,740 | $86,840 | 120 |
| 23 | Iowa | $60,630 | 0% | $46,920 | $73,340 | 370 |
| 24 | Georgia | $60,530 | 0% | $35,260 | $85,530 | 1,380 |
| 25 | South Dakota | $59,860 | −2% | $37,890 | $75,500 | 140 |
| 26 | Rhode Island | $59,660 | −2% | $34,180 | $88,420 | 230 |
| 27 | North Carolina | $59,600 | −2% | $39,880 | $82,350 | 1,430 |
| 28 | Idaho | $59,570 | −2% | $32,310 | $77,740 | 150 |
| 29 | Montana | $59,550 | −2% | $35,050 | $96,460 | 680 |
| 30 | Texas | $59,480 | −2% | $37,220 | $84,940 | 3,180 |
| 31 | Ohio | $59,160 | −3% | $36,910 | $79,180 | 2,020 |
| 32 | Oklahoma | $59,110 | −3% | $40,150 | $79,860 | 510 |
| 33 | Indiana | $59,020 | −3% | $37,860 | $77,670 | 1,060 |
| 34 | Kentucky | $58,920 | −3% | $40,640 | $80,630 | 410 |
| 35 | Missouri | $58,740 | −3% | $44,260 | $77,940 | 920 |
| 36 | New York | $58,580 | −4% | $38,780 | $129,200 | 7,790 |
| 37 | Pennsylvania | $58,300 | −4% | $31,580 | $81,360 | 2,150 |
| 38 | Nebraska | $57,520 | −5% | $45,920 | $67,230 | 270 |
| 39 | Tennessee | $57,260 | −6% | $41,600 | $73,920 | 710 |
| 40 | Florida | $56,940 | −6% | $35,950 | $88,560 | 3,560 |
| 41 | South Carolina | $56,630 | −7% | $42,110 | $79,950 | 450 |
| 42 | Michigan | $56,490 | −7% | $36,730 | $74,470 | 1,880 |
| 43 | Alaska | $55,780 | −8% | $35,910 | $76,820 | 150 |
| 44 | Virginia | $55,430 | −9% | $32,710 | $81,680 | 1,220 |
| 45 | Louisiana | $54,140 | −11% | $31,270 | $75,490 | 400 |
| 46 | Mississippi | $52,450 | −14% | $35,030 | $85,810 | 250 |
| 47 | Kansas | $52,130 | −14% | $29,060 | $68,250 | 450 |
| 48 | Alabama | $50,180 | −17% | $38,480 | $71,650 | 850 |
| 49 | Arkansas | $49,070 | −19% | $30,070 | $78,850 | 350 |
| 50 | West Virginia | $48,460 | −20% | $36,600 | $63,770 | 290 |
BLS OEWS May 2025 state estimates. States without published data are not listed. “Not published”: BLS withheld the value or it is above the highest amount BLS publishes. Pay is not adjusted for living costs.
Clergy salary questions
Which state pays clergy the most?
Washington, with a median of $80,830 a year (+33% vs. the national median of $60,810). BLS May 2025.
Which state pays clergy the least?
West Virginia, with a median of $48,460 a year (−20% vs. national).
Where do most clergy work?
New York has the most jobs, about 7,790, with a median of $58,580.
Does a higher salary mean more money left over?
Not always. These are pay figures only. Living costs, taxes and housing differ a lot between states, and this page does not adjust for them.