$Who Earns What

How much does a clergy member make?

US Clergy

Answer: A typical clergy member in the United States makes $60,810 a year (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).

Yearly pay of a typical person doing this job in the US
$60,810

Line up 100 people; this is the one in the middle (median). about 57,000 people work in this job. About the same as the US-wide typical pay ($50,980).

Lower earner
$37,860
10th from the bottom of 100
Typical person
$60,810
Right in the middle (median)
Higher earner
$98,890
10th from the top of 100

If 100 people had this job

Lowest at bottom-left, highest at top-right

Hover over a person to see their yearly pay

51 of 100
more than half

Clergy member pay in the United States (May 2025, median and spread)

Clergy member pay in the United States (May 2025, median and spread) — Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025
Lower earner (10th from bottom)Typical person (median)Higher earner (10th from top)People in this job
$37,860$60,810$98,890about 57,000
States where clergy members earn the most (median, May 2025)
StateTypical person (median)People in this job
Washington$80,830about 1,000
California$77,710about 7,000
Massachusetts$72,190about 840
New Jersey$65,500about 1,000
Connecticut$63,470about 900

Why does pay differ?

In the United States, experience, extra study or approval from a faith group, and the employer can affect pay; clergy work in congregations, hospitals, and government settings. Location and responsibilities matter too, and some clergy work long weeks or respond to urgent needs.

What if you lived in a different state?

Pay varies a lot by state in the US
Whole US$60,810
Washington$80,830
California$77,710
Massachusetts$72,190
New Jersey$65,500
Connecticut$63,470
Michigan$56,490
Virginia$55,430
Alabama$50,180

Top 5 and bottom 3 states, typical (median) yearly pay.

What does a clergy member do?

Conduct religious worship and perform other spiritual functions associated with beliefs and practices of religious faith or denomination. Provide spiritual and moral guidance and assistance to members.

What's a typical day like?

They may lead a service, teach a class, or prepare a sermon, then listen to people seeking comfort or advice. Their day may also include visiting someone in a hospital, home, or prison, planning ceremonies, and handling community tasks.

How to get this job

In the U.S., many clergy attend college and seminary, but each faith group sets its own path. Candidates may also need supervised ministry, exams, and approval or ordination from that group.

Graduate degree or long training (preparation level 5 of 5)

Good for people who like helping and teaching and leading and selling.

Did you know?

The U.S. Army Chaplain Corps was officially recognized in 1775, nearly a year before the Declaration of Independence.

What about Japan?

Nearly the same job
US
Clergy member (typical)
$60,810
Religious worker (average)
$36,406

The US figure is the median and the Japan figure is the average, so it's not a perfect comparison. Prices differ too.

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Sources and data

Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025 (bls.gov); descriptions and related jobs from O*NET 31.0. Figures as of May 2025, full-time yearly pay (hourly × 2,080 hours). bls.gov/oes · O*NET OnLine

Pages used for the text

Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025 · 1 USD = 150 JPY