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Catholic priest salary
Average catholic priest salary
$37,428
Average Catholic Priest Salary
The average salary for a Catholic priest in the United States is approximately $37,428 per year, or $18 per hour. Factors influencing this salary include years of experience, geographic location, and the specific type of ministry. For instance, priests working in metropolitan areas may earn higher wages compared to those in rural settings.
Where Can a Catholic Priest Earn More?
States such as California and New York often offer higher salaries for Catholic priests, with some earning upwards of $50,000 annually. Additionally, positions in educational institutions or specialized ministries may provide more competitive compensation. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for those considering a career in the clergy, as it can significantly impact financial planning.
Salary Estimates Over Time
Tracking salary trends shows that the demand for priests can fluctuate based on community needs and economic factors. As of October 2025, staying informed about salary estimates and job opportunities is essential for aspiring priests. Resources like Zippia provide valuable insights into salary expectations and job prospects in various regions.
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Where can a Catholic Priest earn more?
Catholic priest salary estimates from across the web
Average catholic priest salary by state
The highest-paying states for catholic priests are Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and Maine. The lowest average catholic priest salary states are Louisiana, Nebraska, and Alabama.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for catholic priests
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Massachusetts | $51,039 | $24.54 |
| 2 | Rhode Island | $51,254 | $24.64 |
| 3 | Maine | $47,733 | $22.95 |
| 4 | Delaware | $47,310 | $22.75 |
| 5 | Wyoming | $44,418 | $21.35 |
| 6 | Idaho | $43,651 | $20.99 |
| 7 | Minnesota | $46,381 | $22.30 |
| 8 | Connecticut | $47,430 | $22.80 |
| 9 | West Virginia | $42,979 | $20.66 |
| 10 | Arizona | $43,849 | $21.08 |
| 11 | Washington | $43,567 | $20.95 |
| 12 | California | $46,108 | $22.17 |
| 13 | Vermont | $42,988 | $20.67 |
| 14 | Nevada | $40,867 | $19.65 |
| 15 | New Hampshire | $41,625 | $20.01 |
| 16 | New York | $44,561 | $21.42 |
| 17 | North Dakota | $39,974 | $19.22 |
| 18 | Colorado | $40,352 | $19.40 |
| 19 | District of Columbia | $43,703 | $21.01 |
| 20 | Tennessee | $37,642 | $18.10 |
| 21 | Wisconsin | $38,104 | $18.32 |
| 22 | Utah | $37,330 | $17.95 |
| 23 | Florida | $37,591 | $18.07 |
| 24 | Indiana | $35,964 | $17.29 |
| 25 | Iowa | $35,483 | $17.06 |
| 26 | South Carolina | $35,543 | $17.09 |
| 27 | Kansas | $35,222 | $16.93 |
| 28 | Oregon | $36,052 | $17.33 |
| 29 | Pennsylvania | $35,609 | $17.12 |
| 30 | New Jersey | $37,772 | $18.16 |
| 31 | Hawaii | $38,319 | $18.42 |
| 32 | New Mexico | $34,394 | $16.54 |
| 33 | Maryland | $37,278 | $17.92 |
| 34 | Illinois | $34,739 | $16.70 |
| 35 | Ohio | $33,114 | $15.92 |
| 36 | North Carolina | $33,823 | $16.26 |
| 37 | Texas | $34,080 | $16.38 |
| 38 | Michigan | $33,451 | $16.08 |
| 39 | Virginia | $34,881 | $16.77 |
| 40 | Missouri | $33,726 | $16.21 |
| 41 | Oklahoma | $33,110 | $15.92 |
| 42 | South Dakota | $31,348 | $15.07 |
| 43 | Kentucky | $32,098 | $15.43 |
| 44 | Nebraska | $30,893 | $14.85 |
| 45 | Alaska | $28,798 | $13.85 |
| 46 | Georgia | $32,252 | $15.51 |
| 47 | Montana | $31,030 | $14.92 |
| 48 | Alabama | $30,521 | $14.67 |
| 49 | Louisiana | $30,987 | $14.90 |
| 50 | Arkansas | $29,426 | $14.15 |
| 51 | Mississippi | $26,936 | $12.95 |
Highest paying cities for catholic priests
The highest-paying cities for catholic priests are Dublin, CA, Dover, DE, and Minneapolis, MN.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dublin, CA | $47,178 | $22.68 |
| 2 | Dover, DE | $46,738 | $22.47 |
| 3 | Minneapolis, MN | $46,401 | $22.31 |
| 4 | Washington, DC | $43,680 | $21.00 |
| 5 | Colorado Springs, CO | $40,438 | $19.44 |
| 6 | Buffalo, NY | $37,997 | $18.27 |
| 7 | Passaic, NJ | $37,991 | $18.26 |
| 8 | Miami, FL | $37,948 | $18.24 |
| 9 | Baltimore, MD | $37,800 | $18.17 |
| 10 | Arlington, VA | $36,721 | $17.65 |
| 11 | Wichita, KS | $35,221 | $16.93 |
| 12 | Chicago, IL | $34,908 | $16.78 |
| 13 | Chesterfield, MO | $33,757 | $16.23 |
Catholic priest salary details
A catholic priest's salary ranges from $24,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $57,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is a catholic priest's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $57,000 | $4,750 | $27 |
| 75th Percentile | $46,000 | $3,833 | $22 |
| Average | $37,428 | $3,119 | $18 |
| 25th Percentile | $29,000 | $2,417 | $14 |
| 10th Percentile | $24,000 | $2,000 | $12 |
Highest paying catholic priest jobs
The highest paying types of catholic priests are hospice chaplain, evangelist, and hospital chaplain.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pastor | $44,787 | $3,732 | $21.53 | 494 |
| Hospice Chaplain | $52,027 | $4,336 | $25.01 | 9,571 |
| Chaplain | $46,392 | $3,866 | $22.30 | 2,600 |
| Evangelist | $50,297 | $4,191 | $24.18 | 753 |
| Youth Minister | $41,513 | $3,459 | $19.96 | 2,830 |
| Youth Pastor | $39,712 | $3,309 | $19.09 | 3,120 |
Top companies hiring catholic priests now:
Which companies pay catholic priests the most?
Catholic priest salaries at Baptist Health South Florida and St. Luke's Hospital are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average catholic priest salary at companies like Mayo Clinic and Rhode Island Catholic are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Baptist Health Home Care | $82,693 | $39.76 |
| 2 | St. Luke's Hospital | $70,165 | $33.73 |
| 3 | Mayo Clinic | $47,731 | $22.95 |
| 4 | Rhode Island Catholic | $43,991 | $21.15 |
| 5 | CHI Mercy Health | $43,447 | $20.89 |
| 6 | Northwestern Medicine | $42,170 | $20.27 |
| 7 | BayCare Health System | $41,960 | $20.17 |
| 8 | Memorial Care Medical Group | $36,835 | $17.71 |
| 9 | Americorps | $35,732 | $17.18 |
| 10 | Diocese of Camden | $35,434 | $17.04 |
| 11 | Diocese of Paterson | $35,269 | $16.96 |
| 12 | Sanford Health | $34,097 | $16.39 |
| 13 | Archdiocese of Chicago | $33,909 | $16.30 |
| 14 | Providence Health & Services | $33,869 | $16.28 |
| 15 | Allina Health | $33,769 | $16.24 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
Catholic priest salary trends
The average catholic priest salary has risen by $5,620 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average catholic priest earned $31,808 annually, but today, they earn $37,428 a year. That works out to a 14% change in pay for catholic priests over the last decade.
Compare catholic priest salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average catholic priest salary over time
Compare catholic priest salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
Catholic priest salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $37,400 | $17.99 | +3.0% |
| 2024 | $36,300 | $17.46 | +2.8% |
| 2023 | $35,300 | $16.97 | +3.9% |
| 2022 | $33,900 | $16.32 | +2.9% |
| 2021 | $33,000 | $15.85 | +3.3% |
Recently added catholic priest salaries
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roman Catholic Bishop of Santa Rosa | Roman Catholic Priest | Clearlake, CA | 03/11/2025 | $44,461 |
| Priests of The Sacred Heart | Roman Catholic Priest | Houston, TX | 03/04/2025 | $39,021 |
| Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Los Angeles | Roman Catholic Priest | Hillsborough, CA | 02/28/2025 | $55,306 |
| Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Los Angeles | Roman Catholic Priest | El Monte, CA | 02/28/2025 | $55,306 |
| Society of The Divine Word | Roman Catholic Priest | Lakewood, NJ | 02/20/2025 | $47,239 |
| Choc | Roman Catholic Priest, Spiritual Care | Ione, CA | 02/18/2025 | $66,248 |
| Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Los Angeles | Roman Catholic Priest | Los Angeles, CA | 02/14/2025 | $55,306 |
| Interstate Shellfish Sanitation Conference | Catholic Priest/Chaplain Associate Coordinator of Catholic Pastoral Services | Rowe, MA | 01/29/2025 | $66,381 |
| Roman Catholic Diocese of Madison | Roman Catholic Priest | Janesville, WI | 01/28/2025 | $37,253 |
| Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Los Angeles | Roman Catholic Priest | Downey, CA | 01/17/2025 | $55,306 |
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