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Senior pastor salary
Average senior pastor salary
$45,556
Average Senior Pastor Salary
The average salary for a Senior Pastor is currently $45,556 per year. This figure varies based on location and experience. For instance, Senior Pastors in metropolitan areas often earn more than those in rural settings. Additionally, experience significantly impacts salary; those with extensive pastoral experience typically command higher wages.
Where Can a Senior Pastor Earn More?
Several states offer higher salaries for Senior Pastors. For example, states like California and Texas have been noted for providing competitive compensation packages. Furthermore, the type of church—whether it’s a large congregation or a smaller community church—also plays a critical role in salary variations.
Exploring Opportunities
Beyond base salary, Senior Pastors may receive additional benefits, including housing allowances, retirement plans, and health insurance. Understanding the full compensation package is essential when evaluating job offers. This comprehensive look into Senior Pastor salaries can aid individuals in making informed career choices while seeking to maximize their earning potential.
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Where can a Senior Pastor earn more?
Senior pastor salary estimates from across the web
Average senior pastor salary by state
The average senior pastor salary in California, West Virginia, and Delaware are the highest in the U.S. The lowest average senior pastor salary states are Arkansas, Mississippi, and South Dakota.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for senior pastors
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | $65,738 | $31.60 |
| 2 | West Virginia | $63,772 | $30.66 |
| 3 | Delaware | $63,678 | $30.61 |
| 4 | Maine | $63,150 | $30.36 |
| 5 | Rhode Island | $62,000 | $29.81 |
| 6 | Texas | $51,877 | $24.94 |
| 7 | District of Columbia | $63,035 | $30.31 |
| 8 | Vermont | $56,570 | $27.20 |
| 9 | Massachusetts | $57,759 | $27.77 |
| 10 | Connecticut | $57,313 | $27.55 |
| 11 | New Hampshire | $53,854 | $25.89 |
| 12 | Arizona | $53,028 | $25.49 |
| 13 | New York | $54,474 | $26.19 |
| 14 | Georgia | $51,592 | $24.80 |
| 15 | Virginia | $53,564 | $25.75 |
| 16 | Hawaii | $59,112 | $28.42 |
| 17 | Wisconsin | $49,677 | $23.88 |
| 18 | North Carolina | $47,326 | $22.75 |
| 19 | Maryland | $52,927 | $25.45 |
| 20 | Alabama | $46,810 | $22.50 |
| 21 | Wyoming | $46,484 | $22.35 |
| 22 | Kentucky | $44,769 | $21.52 |
| 23 | Minnesota | $47,878 | $23.02 |
| 24 | Pennsylvania | $45,606 | $21.93 |
| 25 | Iowa | $43,531 | $20.93 |
| 26 | Nevada | $46,242 | $22.23 |
| 27 | New Jersey | $47,871 | $23.01 |
| 28 | Colorado | $44,260 | $21.28 |
| 29 | South Carolina | $44,413 | $21.35 |
| 30 | Indiana | $41,557 | $19.98 |
| 31 | Michigan | $44,081 | $21.19 |
| 32 | Washington | $42,997 | $20.67 |
| 33 | Missouri | $42,383 | $20.38 |
| 34 | Idaho | $43,495 | $20.91 |
| 35 | Utah | $41,013 | $19.72 |
| 36 | Illinois | $44,472 | $21.38 |
| 37 | Louisiana | $42,484 | $20.43 |
| 38 | North Dakota | $41,787 | $20.09 |
| 39 | Tennessee | $40,906 | $19.67 |
| 40 | Ohio | $41,770 | $20.08 |
| 41 | Oregon | $40,595 | $19.52 |
| 42 | New Mexico | $41,877 | $20.13 |
| 43 | Oklahoma | $41,192 | $19.80 |
| 44 | Kansas | $40,208 | $19.33 |
| 45 | Florida | $40,127 | $19.29 |
| 46 | Arkansas | $38,075 | $18.31 |
| 47 | Mississippi | $36,813 | $17.70 |
| 48 | South Dakota | $34,659 | $16.66 |
| 49 | Nebraska | $32,162 | $15.46 |
| 50 | Montana | $29,989 | $14.42 |
| 51 | Alaska | $23,896 | $11.49 |
Highest paying cities for senior pastors
The highest-paying cities for senior pastors are San Diego, CA, New Haven, CT, and Avondale, AZ.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Diego, CA | $65,888 | $31.68 |
| 2 | New Haven, CT | $57,505 | $27.65 |
| 3 | Avondale, AZ | $53,068 | $25.51 |
| 4 | Temple, TX | $52,203 | $25.10 |
| 5 | Duluth, GA | $51,585 | $24.80 |
| 6 | Greensboro, NC | $47,678 | $22.92 |
| 7 | Schaumburg, IL | $44,530 | $21.41 |
| 8 | Baton Rouge, LA | $42,615 | $20.49 |
| 9 | Grand Rapids, MI | $42,516 | $20.44 |
| 10 | Beavercreek, OH | $40,773 | $19.60 |
| 11 | Oviedo, FL | $39,848 | $19.16 |
Senior pastor salary details
A senior pastor's salary ranges from $29,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $71,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is a senior pastor's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $71,000 | $5,917 | $34 |
| 75th Percentile | $57,000 | $4,750 | $27 |
| Average | $45,556 | $3,796 | $22 |
| 25th Percentile | $36,000 | $3,000 | $17 |
| 10th Percentile | $29,000 | $2,417 | $14 |
Highest paying senior pastor jobs
The highest paying types of senior pastors 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 |
| Chaplain Resident | $45,343 | $3,779 | $21.80 | 7,901 |
| Evangelist | $50,297 | $4,191 | $24.18 | 753 |
| Youth Minister | $41,513 | $3,459 | $19.96 | 2,830 |
| Pastor | $44,787 | $3,732 | $21.53 | 494 |
Top companies hiring senior pastors now:
Which companies pay senior pastors the most?
Senior pastor salaries at Bethel Church and First Baptist Church of Glenarden are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average senior pastor salary at companies like United Methodist Church and Good Shepherd Lutheran Church are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bethel Church | $68,502 | $32.93 |
| 2 | First Baptist Church of Glenarden | $64,681 | $31.10 |
| 3 | United Methodist Church | $50,058 | $24.07 |
| 4 | Good Shepherd Lutheran Church | $41,279 | $19.85 |
| 5 | First United Church of Christ | $40,624 | $19.53 |
| 6 | The Bridge Community Church | $35,294 | $16.97 |
| 7 | The Christian and Missionary Alliance | $34,210 | $16.45 |
| 8 | Oak Grove Baptist Church | $28,628 | $13.76 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
Senior Pastor salary by industry
The average senior pastor salary varies across industries:
- The average senior pastor salary in the education industry is $40,270, the highest of any industry.
- The average senior pastor salary in the finance industry is $39,931.
- Senior pastors in the manufacturing industry earn an average salary of $35,651, the lowest of any industry.
Highest paying industries for senior pastors
| Rank | Industry | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Education | $40,270 | $19.36 |
| 2 | Hospitality | $39,931 | $19.20 |
| 3 | Non Profits | $37,329 | $17.95 |
| 4 | Manufacturing | $35,651 | $17.14 |
High paying senior pastor jobs
Senior pastor salary trends
The average senior pastor salary has risen by $6,842 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average senior pastor earned $38,714 annually, but today, they earn $45,556 a year. That works out to a 14% change in pay for senior pastors over the last decade.
Compare senior pastor salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average senior pastor salary over time
Compare senior pastor salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
Senior pastor salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $45,600 | $21.90 | +3.0% |
| 2024 | $44,200 | $21.25 | +2.8% |
| 2023 | $43,000 | $20.66 | +3.9% |
| 2022 | $41,300 | $19.86 | +2.9% |
| 2021 | $40,100 | $19.29 | +3.3% |
Recently added senior pastor salaries
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Covenant Theological Seminary | Senior Pastor | Kamrar, IA | 06/29/2025 | $60,000 |
| Covenant Theological Seminary | Senior Pastor (English Ministry) | Overland Park, KS | 06/13/2025 | $75,000 |
| Lancastersearch | Senior Pastor-Cowboy Church | Ham Lake, MN | 06/07/2025 | $54,000 |
| Covenant Theological Seminary | Senior Pastor | Silver City, NM | 05/31/2025 | $30,000 |
| Covenant Theological Seminary | Senior Pastor | Faribault, MN | 05/31/2025 | $55,000 |
| Covenant Theological Seminary | Senior Pastor (TE) | Ward, AR | 05/16/2025 | $30,000 |
| Covenant Theological Seminary | Senior Pastor | Cary, NC | 05/10/2025 | $90,000 |
| Lancastersearch | Senior Pastor-Clear Lake Biblechurch | Clear Lake Shores, TX | 05/06/2025 | $80,000 |
| Covenant Theological Seminary | Senior Pastor | Faribault, MN | 04/11/2025 | $55,000 |
| Lancastersearch | Senior Pastor-ST. Paul Baptist Church | Boise, ID | 03/26/2025 | $75,000 |
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