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Pastoral counselor salary
Average pastoral counselor salary
$44,254
Understanding Pastoral Counselor Salaries
As of October 2025, the average pastoral counselor salary is $44,254 annually, or $21 per hour. This figure reflects a range of salaries depending on experience, geographic location, and the employment setting. For instance, pastoral counselors with extensive experience or those working in high-demand areas may earn significantly more.
Salary by Experience Level
Entry-level positions typically offer lower salaries, while those with advanced qualifications or years of experience can command higher wages. It's important to consider that pastoral counselors often engage in various roles, including providing counseling, leading community outreach, and offering spiritual guidance.
Geographic Salary Variations
Different states offer varying salary levels for pastoral counselors. For example, states with a higher cost of living or greater demand for mental health services may provide more lucrative opportunities. Checking salary data by state can help you identify the best locations for your career.
Career Growth and Opportunities
With the growing recognition of mental health's importance, pastoral counselors are increasingly sought after in various sectors. This trend suggests a positive outlook for job opportunities, especially for those willing to pursue advanced certifications or specializations.
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Where can a Pastoral Counselor earn more?
Pastoral counselor salaries by experience level
Pastoral counselor salary estimates from across the web
Average pastoral counselor salary by state
The average pastoral counselor salary in California, Massachusetts, and New Jersey are the highest in the U.S. The lowest average pastoral counselor salary states are Kentucky, Oklahoma, and Alabama.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for pastoral counselors
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | $57,644 | $27.71 |
| 2 | Connecticut | $50,614 | $24.33 |
| 3 | Washington | $51,544 | $24.78 |
| 4 | Massachusetts | $55,199 | $26.54 |
| 5 | New Jersey | $51,863 | $24.93 |
| 6 | California | $55,560 | $26.71 |
| 7 | Pennsylvania | $45,942 | $22.09 |
| 8 | Illinois | $47,184 | $22.68 |
| 9 | Delaware | $45,943 | $22.09 |
| 10 | Maryland | $48,826 | $23.47 |
| 11 | Rhode Island | $47,423 | $22.80 |
| 12 | Ohio | $46,739 | $22.47 |
| 13 | Michigan | $45,460 | $21.86 |
| 14 | Virginia | $47,587 | $22.88 |
| 15 | Nevada | $45,867 | $22.05 |
| 16 | New York | $45,148 | $21.71 |
| 17 | Vermont | $44,478 | $21.38 |
| 18 | Oregon | $45,417 | $21.84 |
| 19 | Kansas | $45,632 | $21.94 |
| 20 | Iowa | $42,801 | $20.58 |
| 21 | Wyoming | $40,281 | $19.37 |
| 22 | New Mexico | $42,542 | $20.45 |
| 23 | Colorado | $43,145 | $20.74 |
| 24 | North Dakota | $40,406 | $19.43 |
| 25 | Alaska | $41,545 | $19.97 |
| 26 | Minnesota | $42,121 | $20.25 |
| 27 | South Carolina | $40,611 | $19.52 |
| 28 | Texas | $41,998 | $20.19 |
| 29 | Hawaii | $41,263 | $19.84 |
| 30 | New Hampshire | $41,180 | $19.80 |
| 31 | Arizona | $37,264 | $17.92 |
| 32 | Indiana | $40,118 | $19.29 |
| 33 | Montana | $38,106 | $18.32 |
| 34 | Louisiana | $37,240 | $17.90 |
| 35 | Arkansas | $38,670 | $18.59 |
| 36 | Nebraska | $40,575 | $19.51 |
| 37 | Wisconsin | $39,263 | $18.88 |
| 38 | Utah | $40,245 | $19.35 |
| 39 | West Virginia | $38,420 | $18.47 |
| 40 | Tennessee | $36,669 | $17.63 |
| 41 | Georgia | $34,148 | $16.42 |
| 42 | Florida | $32,545 | $15.65 |
| 43 | Maine | $35,390 | $17.01 |
| 44 | Idaho | $32,540 | $15.64 |
| 45 | Mississippi | $36,348 | $17.48 |
| 46 | North Carolina | $35,089 | $16.87 |
| 47 | Kentucky | $33,639 | $16.17 |
| 48 | Alabama | $32,739 | $15.74 |
| 49 | Oklahoma | $32,800 | $15.77 |
| 50 | Missouri | $33,660 | $16.18 |
| 51 | South Dakota | $30,766 | $14.79 |
Highest paying cities for pastoral counselors
The highest-paying cities for pastoral counselors are Plymouth, MA, Buena Park, CA, and Rowland Heights, CA.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Plymouth, MA | $55,547 | $26.71 |
| 2 | Buena Park, CA | $54,933 | $26.41 |
| 3 | Rowland Heights, CA | $54,931 | $26.41 |
| 4 | Irvine, CA | $54,802 | $26.35 |
| 5 | Trumbull, CT | $50,730 | $24.39 |
| 6 | Silver Spring, MD | $48,553 | $23.34 |
| 7 | Philadelphia, PA | $46,314 | $22.27 |
| 8 | Plainview, NY | $45,288 | $21.77 |
| 9 | Woodbury, NY | $44,983 | $21.63 |
| 10 | Dallas, TX | $41,581 | $19.99 |
Pastoral counselor salary details
A pastoral counselor's salary ranges from $33,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $58,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is a pastoral counselor's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $58,000 | $4,833 | $28 |
| 75th Percentile | $51,000 | $4,250 | $25 |
| Average | $44,254 | $3,688 | $21 |
| 25th Percentile | $38,000 | $3,167 | $18 |
| 10th Percentile | $33,000 | $2,750 | $16 |
Highest paying pastoral counselor jobs
The highest paying types of pastoral counselors are lead counselor, crisis counselor, and school counselor.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Admissions Representative | $38,193 | $3,183 | $18.36 | 16,883 |
| Job Coach | $37,372 | $3,114 | $17.97 | 49,874 |
| Counselor Internship | $45,500 | $3,792 | $21.88 | 132,694 |
| Student Services Counselor | $41,175 | $3,431 | $19.80 | 104,698 |
| Elementary School Counselor | $34,984 | $2,915 | $16.82 | 92,184 |
| Employment Counselor | $43,848 | $3,654 | $21.08 | 29,459 |
Top companies hiring pastoral counselors now:
Which companies pay pastoral counselors the most?
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Northwell Health | $57,972 | $27.87 |
| 2 | Acadia Healthcare | $45,721 | $21.98 |
| 3 | The Jordan Center | $34,464 | $16.57 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
Pastoral counselor salary trends
The average pastoral counselor salary has risen by $3,038 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average pastoral counselor earned $41,216 annually, but today, they earn $44,254 a year. That works out to a 7% change in pay for pastoral counselors over the last decade.
Compare pastoral counselor salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average pastoral counselor salary over time
Compare pastoral counselor salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
Pastoral counselor salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $44,300 | $21.28 | +1.9% |
| 2024 | $43,400 | $20.88 | +1.3% |
| 2023 | $42,900 | $20.61 | +1.6% |
| 2022 | $42,200 | $20.28 | +1.5% |
| 2021 | $41,500 | $19.97 | +1.6% |
Recently added pastoral counselor salaries
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LCS Senior Living | Pastoral Counselor | San Diego, CA | 03/23/2025 | $66,784 |
| Freedom Pointe at The Villages | Pastoral Counselor | San Diego, CA | 03/22/2025 | $66,784 |
| Jewish Association for Services for The Aged | Pastoral Counselor | New York, NY | 12/09/2024 | $62,734 |
| Legacy Health System | Pastoral Care Counselor/Chaplain | Tualatin, OR | 09/05/2024 | $67,953 |
| Northwell Health | Pastoral Care Counselor | Tarrytown, NY | 09/01/2023 | $58,500 |
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