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Priest salary
Average priest salary
$44,712
Average Priest Salary
The average salary for a priest in the United States is $44,712 per year. Salaries can range significantly based on various factors, including location, level of experience, and the specific denomination of the religious institution. For example, priests working in urban areas may earn higher salaries due to the higher cost of living.
Highest Paying States for Priests
States such as California, New York, and Texas often provide some of the highest salaries for priests. The demand for spiritual leaders in these regions contributes to competitive compensation packages. Additionally, larger congregations may offer better salary structures compared to smaller communities.
Factors Influencing Salary
Experience plays a crucial role in determining salary levels. Newly ordained priests typically start at lower salary ranges, while those with several years of experience can command significantly higher wages. Roles that include administrative responsibilities or specialized ministries may also offer increased salaries.
For those considering a career in ministry, understanding these salary dynamics is essential for making informed decisions about their future.
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Where can a Priest earn more?
Priest salary estimates from across the web
Average priest salary by state
The average priest salary in Maine, California, and Rhode Island are the highest in the U.S. The lowest average priest salary states are Florida, Nebraska, and Mississippi.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for priests
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Maine | $77,906 | $37.45 |
| 2 | Rhode Island | $73,098 | $35.14 |
| 3 | California | $76,280 | $36.67 |
| 4 | Vermont | $69,479 | $33.40 |
| 5 | New Hampshire | $66,382 | $31.91 |
| 6 | Delaware | $67,741 | $32.57 |
| 7 | Connecticut | $66,322 | $31.89 |
| 8 | Massachusetts | $62,332 | $29.97 |
| 9 | West Virginia | $58,157 | $27.96 |
| 10 | New York | $62,170 | $29.89 |
| 11 | District of Columbia | $63,210 | $30.39 |
| 12 | Arizona | $53,978 | $25.95 |
| 13 | Nevada | $52,698 | $25.34 |
| 14 | New Jersey | $56,612 | $27.22 |
| 15 | Pennsylvania | $50,850 | $24.45 |
| 16 | Maryland | $54,231 | $26.07 |
| 17 | Idaho | $46,376 | $22.30 |
| 18 | Wisconsin | $46,342 | $22.28 |
| 19 | Michigan | $46,355 | $22.29 |
| 20 | Tennessee | $45,011 | $21.64 |
| 21 | Ohio | $44,745 | $21.51 |
| 22 | Indiana | $44,646 | $21.46 |
| 23 | Washington | $46,044 | $22.14 |
| 24 | North Carolina | $45,316 | $21.79 |
| 25 | Wyoming | $44,946 | $21.61 |
| 26 | Hawaii | $50,353 | $24.21 |
| 27 | South Carolina | $43,316 | $20.82 |
| 28 | Virginia | $45,164 | $21.71 |
| 29 | Minnesota | $43,175 | $20.76 |
| 30 | Utah | $42,485 | $20.43 |
| 31 | New Mexico | $40,690 | $19.56 |
| 32 | Texas | $40,861 | $19.64 |
| 33 | North Dakota | $39,566 | $19.02 |
| 34 | Kentucky | $39,573 | $19.03 |
| 35 | Illinois | $40,787 | $19.61 |
| 36 | Colorado | $42,227 | $20.30 |
| 37 | Oregon | $41,271 | $19.84 |
| 38 | Iowa | $38,603 | $18.56 |
| 39 | Georgia | $38,890 | $18.70 |
| 40 | Kansas | $38,545 | $18.53 |
| 41 | Alabama | $36,404 | $17.50 |
| 42 | Missouri | $38,115 | $18.32 |
| 43 | Louisiana | $36,914 | $17.75 |
| 44 | Oklahoma | $36,645 | $17.62 |
| 45 | South Dakota | $31,781 | $15.28 |
| 46 | Arkansas | $33,392 | $16.05 |
| 47 | Florida | $32,699 | $15.72 |
| 48 | Alaska | $27,000 | $12.98 |
| 49 | Nebraska | $32,503 | $15.63 |
| 50 | Montana | $30,541 | $14.68 |
| 51 | Mississippi | $31,906 | $15.34 |
Highest paying cities for priests
The highest-paying cities for priests are Campbell, CA, Burlington, VT, and Washington, DC.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Campbell, CA | $79,826 | $38.38 |
| 2 | Burlington, VT | $68,113 | $32.75 |
| 3 | Washington, DC | $63,093 | $30.33 |
| 4 | East Meadow, NY | $62,537 | $30.07 |
| 5 | Boston, MA | $62,352 | $29.98 |
| 6 | Towson, MD | $55,129 | $26.50 |
| 7 | Alexandria, VA | $48,905 | $23.51 |
| 8 | Mishawaka, IN | $46,787 | $22.49 |
| 9 | Saginaw, MI | $46,617 | $22.41 |
| 10 | Spokane, WA | $44,188 | $21.24 |
| 11 | La Crosse, WI | $42,790 | $20.57 |
| 12 | San Antonio, TX | $42,233 | $20.30 |
| 13 | Northbrook, IL | $41,416 | $19.91 |
| 14 | Savannah, GA | $38,560 | $18.54 |
| 15 | Blue Springs, MO | $37,300 | $17.93 |
| 16 | Omaha, NE | $32,657 | $15.70 |
| 17 | Sioux Falls, SD | $32,190 | $15.48 |
Priest salary details
A priest's salary ranges from $24,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $82,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is a priest's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $82,000 | $6,833 | $39 |
| 75th Percentile | $61,000 | $5,083 | $29 |
| Average | $44,712 | $3,726 | $22 |
| 25th Percentile | $32,000 | $2,667 | $15 |
| 10th Percentile | $24,000 | $2,000 | $12 |
Highest paying priest jobs
The highest paying types of priests are hospice chaplain, evangelist, and hospital chaplain.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chaplain | $46,392 | $3,866 | $22.30 | 2,600 |
| Hospice Chaplain | $52,027 | $4,336 | $25.01 | 9,571 |
| Youth Minister | $41,513 | $3,459 | $19.96 | 2,830 |
| Youth Pastor | $39,712 | $3,309 | $19.09 | 3,120 |
| Chaplain Resident | $45,343 | $3,779 | $21.80 | 7,901 |
| Evangelist | $50,297 | $4,191 | $24.18 | 753 |
Top companies hiring priests now:
Which companies pay priests the most?
Priest salaries at Prime Healthcare and Mission Regional Medical Center are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average priest salary at companies like Mayo Clinic and University of Maryland Medical System are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Prime Healthcare | $94,403 | $45.39 |
| 2 | Mission Regional Medical Center | $89,166 | $42.87 |
| 3 | Mayo Clinic | $87,588 | $42.11 |
| 4 | University of Maryland Medical System | $86,976 | $41.82 |
| 5 | Massachusetts General Hospital | $84,533 | $40.64 |
| 6 | Georgetown University | $52,557 | $25.27 |
| 7 | Partners Healthcare Solutions Inc | $38,430 | $18.48 |
| 8 | Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles | $36,715 | $17.65 |
| 9 | Americorps | $35,682 | $17.15 |
| 10 | Archdiocese of Chicago | $34,977 | $16.82 |
| 11 | Diocese of San Jose | $34,790 | $16.73 |
| 12 | Catholic Diocese of Sioux Falls | $34,778 | $16.72 |
| 13 | Diocese of Camden | $34,442 | $16.56 |
| 14 | Archdiocese Of San Antonio | $33,788 | $16.24 |
| 15 | St. Thomas' Episcopal Church | $33,314 | $16.02 |
| 16 | Suncrest Home Health & Hospice | $32,823 | $15.78 |
| 17 | Trinity Health | $32,540 | $15.64 |
| 18 | Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston | $31,813 | $15.29 |
| 19 | Les Schwab Tire Centers | $28,695 | $13.80 |
| 20 | Archdiocese Of Newark | $28,498 | $13.70 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
Priest salary trends
The average priest salary has risen by $6,714 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average priest earned $37,998 annually, but today, they earn $44,712 a year. That works out to a 14% change in pay for priests over the last decade.
Compare priest salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average priest salary over time
Compare priest salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
Priest salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $44,700 | $21.50 | +3.0% |
| 2024 | $43,400 | $20.86 | +2.8% |
| 2023 | $42,200 | $20.28 | +3.9% |
| 2022 | $40,500 | $19.49 | +2.9% |
| 2021 | $39,400 | $18.93 | +3.3% |
Recently added priest salaries
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| St. Catherine of Siena | Priest Chaplain | Farmingdale, NY | 05/17/2025 | $30,906 |
| Dignity Health | Priest Sacramental | Stockton, CA | 05/08/2025 | $72,002 |
| Hillsresort | Summer 2025-Priest Lake Golf Course-Sandbaggers Cooks | Hope, ID | 02/17/2025 | $29,218 |
| Raleighgeneral | Priest/Chaplain/Lourdes Spiritual Care Services/Prn/Day Shift | Pasco, WA | 02/16/2025 | $45,977 |
| St. Catherine of Siena | Order Priest Chaplain | West Islip, NY | 01/28/2025 | $72,240 |
| Catholic Health Services | Order Priest Chaplain | West Islip, NY | 01/28/2025 | $72,240 |
| Hill's Resort Inc. | Summer 2025-Priest Lake Golf Course-Sandbaggers Cooks | Priest River, ID | 01/04/2025 | $29,218 |
| Georgetown Univerisity | Priest Chaplain | Washington, DC | 12/18/2024 | $47,586 |
| Providence Health & Services | Priest Sacramental Minister-Spiritual Care | Fullerton, CA | 10/24/2024 | $57,142 |
| Georgetown Univerisity | Priest Chaplain | Washington, DC | 10/09/2024 | $47,586 |
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