Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
Minister salary
Average minister salary
$42,866
Average Minister Salary
The average salary for a minister is approximately $42,866 per year or around $21 per hour. Factors influencing these figures include geographic location, years of experience, and specific duties associated with the role. For instance, ministers in larger cities may earn more due to the higher cost of living.
Salary Variation by State
Salary ranges for ministers can vary widely across different states. For example, states like California and New York typically offer higher salaries due to increased demand for pastoral services. In contrast, ministers in rural areas may see lower averages but often enjoy a lower cost of living.
Career Advancement Opportunities
Ministers can advance their careers through further education, such as obtaining a master’s degree in divinity or theology. Additionally, specialized roles, such as youth pastors or church administrators, often command higher salaries. By gaining experience and expanding their skill sets, ministers can enhance both their impact in their communities and their earning potential.
Let Zippia find your next minister job
Let Zippia find your next minister job
Where can a Minister earn more?
Minister salary estimates from across the web
Average minister salary by state
The highest-paying states for ministers are Delaware, Rhode Island, and Maine. The lowest average minister salary states are Arkansas, South Dakota, and Mississippi.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for ministers
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Delaware | $59,843 | $28.77 |
| 2 | Rhode Island | $58,293 | $28.03 |
| 3 | West Virginia | $54,157 | $26.04 |
| 4 | Maine | $55,761 | $26.81 |
| 5 | Connecticut | $54,171 | $26.04 |
| 6 | District of Columbia | $58,129 | $27.95 |
| 7 | Massachusetts | $53,683 | $25.81 |
| 8 | Vermont | $50,519 | $24.29 |
| 9 | New York | $50,868 | $24.46 |
| 10 | New Hampshire | $49,349 | $23.73 |
| 11 | Wyoming | $47,043 | $22.62 |
| 12 | Arizona | $48,579 | $23.36 |
| 13 | Virginia | $47,954 | $23.05 |
| 14 | Tennessee | $43,658 | $20.99 |
| 15 | Idaho | $45,684 | $21.96 |
| 16 | Washington | $46,321 | $22.27 |
| 17 | Maryland | $49,087 | $23.60 |
| 18 | Nevada | $43,705 | $21.01 |
| 19 | South Carolina | $42,929 | $20.64 |
| 20 | California | $49,056 | $23.58 |
| 21 | Pennsylvania | $43,935 | $21.12 |
| 22 | New Jersey | $47,249 | $22.72 |
| 23 | Hawaii | $50,186 | $24.13 |
| 24 | Minnesota | $42,565 | $20.46 |
| 25 | Michigan | $41,704 | $20.05 |
| 26 | Wisconsin | $41,995 | $20.19 |
| 27 | Indiana | $41,488 | $19.95 |
| 28 | North Dakota | $40,924 | $19.68 |
| 29 | Oregon | $43,204 | $20.77 |
| 30 | Utah | $41,370 | $19.89 |
| 31 | Colorado | $42,943 | $20.65 |
| 32 | Florida | $41,883 | $20.14 |
| 33 | North Carolina | $39,489 | $18.99 |
| 34 | Iowa | $38,758 | $18.63 |
| 35 | Kansas | $38,834 | $18.67 |
| 36 | New Mexico | $38,668 | $18.59 |
| 37 | Kentucky | $37,339 | $17.95 |
| 38 | Texas | $38,814 | $18.66 |
| 39 | Georgia | $38,594 | $18.55 |
| 40 | Oklahoma | $37,417 | $17.99 |
| 41 | Ohio | $35,531 | $17.08 |
| 42 | Missouri | $37,636 | $18.09 |
| 43 | South Dakota | $33,172 | $15.95 |
| 44 | Arkansas | $33,622 | $16.16 |
| 45 | Alabama | $36,387 | $17.49 |
| 46 | Louisiana | $37,005 | $17.79 |
| 47 | Illinois | $34,455 | $16.56 |
| 48 | Montana | $31,821 | $15.30 |
| 49 | Mississippi | $31,958 | $15.36 |
| 50 | Nebraska | $30,071 | $14.46 |
| 51 | Alaska | $28,061 | $13.49 |
Highest paying cities for ministers
The highest-paying cities for ministers are Washington, DC, Fairfield, CT, and Rockville Centre, NY.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washington, DC | $58,165 | $27.96 |
| 2 | Fairfield, CT | $54,577 | $26.24 |
| 3 | Rockville Centre, NY | $51,471 | $24.75 |
| 4 | Santa Clara, CA | $49,890 | $23.99 |
| 5 | Manassas, VA | $49,319 | $23.71 |
| 6 | Fort Lee, NJ | $47,149 | $22.67 |
| 7 | Seattle, WA | $46,456 | $22.33 |
| 8 | Philadelphia, PA | $44,868 | $21.57 |
| 9 | Jackson, TN | $43,358 | $20.85 |
| 10 | Lake Oswego, OR | $42,977 | $20.66 |
| 11 | Aurora, CO | $42,930 | $20.64 |
| 12 | Greenville, SC | $42,612 | $20.49 |
| 13 | Detroit, MI | $42,381 | $20.38 |
| 14 | Green Bay, WI | $41,986 | $20.19 |
| 15 | Tampa, FL | $41,782 | $20.09 |
| 16 | Goldsboro, NC | $41,317 | $19.86 |
| 17 | Indianapolis, IN | $41,224 | $19.82 |
| 18 | Houston, TX | $39,455 | $18.97 |
| 19 | Overland Park, KS | $38,860 | $18.68 |
| 20 | Woodstock, GA | $38,428 | $18.48 |
Minister salary details
A minister's salary ranges from $31,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $58,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is a minister's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $58,000 | $4,833 | $28 |
| 75th Percentile | $50,000 | $4,167 | $24 |
| Average | $42,866 | $3,572 | $21 |
| 25th Percentile | $36,000 | $3,000 | $17 |
| 10th Percentile | $31,000 | $2,583 | $15 |
Highest paying minister jobs
The highest paying types of ministers are hospice chaplain, evangelist, and hospital chaplain.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hospice Chaplain | $52,027 | $4,336 | $25.01 | 9,571 |
| Chaplain | $46,392 | $3,866 | $22.30 | 2,600 |
| Youth Pastor | $39,712 | $3,309 | $19.09 | 3,120 |
| Chaplain Resident | $45,343 | $3,779 | $21.80 | 7,901 |
| Pastor | $44,787 | $3,732 | $21.53 | 494 |
| Evangelist | $50,297 | $4,191 | $24.18 | 753 |
Which companies pay ministers the most?
Minister salaries at New Life Community Church and Seattle University are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average minister salary at companies like Hospital Sisters Health System and Mount Aloysius College are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New Life Community Church | $61,009 | $29.33 |
| 2 | Seattle University | $57,196 | $27.50 |
| 3 | Hospital Sisters Health System | $55,514 | $26.69 |
| 4 | Mount Aloysius College | $54,923 | $26.41 |
| 5 | Battle Creek Country Club | $48,017 | $23.09 |
| 6 | Santa Clara University | $46,087 | $22.16 |
| 7 | City of University City, Missouri | $44,991 | $21.63 |
| 8 | Fairfield City Schools | $43,781 | $21.05 |
| 9 | Saint Anselm College | $43,360 | $20.85 |
| 10 | Kenneth Copeland Ministries | $42,028 | $20.21 |
| 11 | First United Church of Christ | $41,300 | $19.86 |
| 12 | Legacy Christian Fellowship | $41,300 | $19.86 |
| 13 | St. John Fisher College | $40,654 | $19.55 |
| 14 | DePaul University | $39,594 | $19.04 |
| 15 | International Friendships | $37,045 | $17.81 |
| 16 | Marquette University | $36,748 | $17.67 |
| 17 | Good Neighbors | $36,110 | $17.36 |
| 18 | Saint Leo University | $35,579 | $17.11 |
| 19 | New Life Baptist Church | $34,729 | $16.70 |
| 20 | Archdiocese of Washington | $33,153 | $15.94 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
Minister salary trends
The average minister salary has risen by $6,437 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average minister earned $36,429 annually, but today, they earn $42,866 a year. That works out to a 14% change in pay for ministers over the last decade.
Compare minister salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average minister salary over time
Compare minister salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
Minister salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $42,900 | $20.61 | +3.0% |
| 2025 | $41,600 | $20.00 | +2.8% |
| 2024 | $40,400 | $19.44 | +3.9% |
| 2023 | $38,900 | $18.69 | +2.9% |
| 2022 | $37,700 | $18.15 | +3.3% |
Recently added minister salaries
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Intervarsity USA | Campus Staff Minister-New England Area (Graduate and Faculty Ministry) | Rowe, MA | 06/29/2025 | $44,016 |
| Intervarsity USA | Campus Staff Minister-Id/Mt/or/Wa (Graduate & Faculty Ministry) | Ione, WA | 06/29/2025 | $44,016 |
| Intervarsity USA | Campus Staff Minister-Iowa/Missouri/Nebraska/Kansas (Graduate and Faculty Ministry) | Noel, MO | 06/29/2025 | $44,016 |
| Intervarsity USA | Campus Staff Minister-Purdue University/West Lafayette (Undergraduate Ministry) | Hope, IN | 06/29/2025 | $39,288 |
| Intervarsity USA | Campus Staff Minister I-Louisiana Area (Undergraduate Ministry) | Noble, LA | 06/29/2025 | $39,288 |
| Intervarsity USA | Campus Staff Minister-UNC Charlotte (Graduate & Faculty Ministries) | Boone, NC | 06/29/2025 | $44,016 |
| Intervarsity USA | Campus Staff Minister-Georgia (Graduate & Faculty Ministry) | Nunez, GA | 06/29/2025 | $44,016 |
| Intervarsity USA | Campus Staff Minister I-South Texas Area (Undergraduate Ministry) | Nome, TX | 06/29/2025 | $33,900 |
| Intervarsity USA | Campus Staff Minister-Nc/Sc/Va (Graduate and Faculty Ministry) | Cope, SC | 06/29/2025 | $44,016 |
| Intervarsity USA | Campus Staff Minister-Tennessee & Kentucky (Graduate and Faculty Ministry) | Kentucky | 06/29/2025 | $44,016 |
Minister salary FAQs
Search for minister jobs