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Youth pastor salary
Average youth pastor salary
$39,712
Understanding Youth Pastor Salaries
The average youth pastor earns approximately $39,712 per year, which translates to about $19 per hour. This figure can vary significantly based on geographic location, the size of the congregation, and years of experience. For instance, youth pastors in larger churches or urban areas often earn more due to increased responsibilities and higher living costs.
Salary by State
In states like California and New York, youth pastors tend to earn some of the highest salaries, while those in smaller or rural areas may see lower figures. Understanding these variations is crucial for aspiring youth pastors who are considering where to apply.
Job Opportunities
Many churches and religious organizations offer additional benefits, such as housing allowances or health insurance, which can enhance total compensation. As you navigate your career, researching local salary ranges and job postings can provide valuable insights into potential opportunities.
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Where can a Youth Pastor earn more?
Youth pastor salary estimates from across the web
Average youth pastor salary by state
The highest-paying states for youth pastors are Maine, California, and Washington. The lowest average youth pastor salary states are Montana, Arkansas, and Ohio.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for youth pastors
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arizona | $44,192 | $21.25 |
| 2 | Wyoming | $43,910 | $21.11 |
| 3 | Washington | $44,571 | $21.43 |
| 4 | California | $45,239 | $21.75 |
| 5 | West Virginia | $43,608 | $20.97 |
| 6 | Maine | $45,472 | $21.86 |
| 7 | Colorado | $39,769 | $19.12 |
| 8 | Utah | $38,745 | $18.63 |
| 9 | North Dakota | $38,682 | $18.60 |
| 10 | Rhode Island | $42,015 | $20.20 |
| 11 | Hawaii | $42,462 | $20.41 |
| 12 | Idaho | $43,488 | $20.91 |
| 13 | Minnesota | $39,333 | $18.91 |
| 14 | Delaware | $43,631 | $20.98 |
| 15 | Oregon | $41,008 | $19.72 |
| 16 | Nevada | $39,841 | $19.15 |
| 17 | Connecticut | $39,169 | $18.83 |
| 18 | Tennessee | $38,877 | $18.69 |
| 19 | Vermont | $40,746 | $19.59 |
| 20 | Kansas | $35,270 | $16.96 |
| 21 | District of Columbia | $42,545 | $20.45 |
| 22 | Wisconsin | $37,583 | $18.07 |
| 23 | New York | $37,079 | $17.83 |
| 24 | Iowa | $35,258 | $16.95 |
| 25 | South Carolina | $37,596 | $18.07 |
| 26 | Massachusetts | $39,281 | $18.89 |
| 27 | Indiana | $36,465 | $17.53 |
| 28 | Texas | $34,275 | $16.48 |
| 29 | Maryland | $35,974 | $17.30 |
| 30 | Florida | $36,487 | $17.54 |
| 31 | Michigan | $33,962 | $16.33 |
| 32 | Kentucky | $33,117 | $15.92 |
| 33 | New Hampshire | $37,000 | $17.79 |
| 34 | New Jersey | $34,404 | $16.54 |
| 35 | Oklahoma | $33,760 | $16.23 |
| 36 | New Mexico | $34,550 | $16.61 |
| 37 | Missouri | $33,962 | $16.33 |
| 38 | Virginia | $35,888 | $17.25 |
| 39 | North Carolina | $33,536 | $16.12 |
| 40 | Pennsylvania | $32,199 | $15.48 |
| 41 | Montana | $30,226 | $14.53 |
| 42 | Alabama | $32,278 | $15.52 |
| 43 | Georgia | $33,951 | $16.32 |
| 44 | Alaska | $27,852 | $13.39 |
| 45 | South Dakota | $30,721 | $14.77 |
| 46 | Arkansas | $30,170 | $14.50 |
| 47 | Illinois | $30,727 | $14.77 |
| 48 | Louisiana | $32,617 | $15.68 |
| 49 | Nebraska | $27,531 | $13.24 |
| 50 | Ohio | $29,062 | $13.97 |
| 51 | Mississippi | $28,410 | $13.66 |
Highest paying cities for youth pastors
The highest-paying cities for youth pastors are Vancouver, WA, Huntington Beach, CA, and Tamarac, FL.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Vancouver, WA | $45,420 | $21.84 |
| 2 | Huntington Beach, CA | $45,389 | $21.82 |
| 3 | Tamarac, FL | $36,564 | $17.58 |
| 4 | Des Plaines, IL | $30,809 | $14.81 |
Youth pastor salary details
A youth pastor's salary ranges from $31,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $50,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is a youth pastor's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $50,000 | $4,167 | $24 |
| 75th Percentile | $45,000 | $3,750 | $22 |
| Average | $39,712 | $3,309 | $19 |
| 25th Percentile | $34,000 | $2,833 | $16 |
| 10th Percentile | $31,000 | $2,583 | $15 |
Highest paying youth pastor jobs
The highest paying types of youth pastors are hospice chaplain, evangelist, and hospital chaplain.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chaplain Resident | $45,343 | $3,779 | $21.80 | 7,901 |
| Chaplain | $46,392 | $3,866 | $22.30 | 2,600 |
| Hospice Chaplain | $52,027 | $4,336 | $25.01 | 9,571 |
| Evangelist | $50,297 | $4,191 | $24.18 | 753 |
| Pastor | $44,787 | $3,732 | $21.53 | 494 |
| Youth Minister | $41,513 | $3,459 | $19.96 | 2,830 |
Top companies hiring youth pastors now:
Which companies pay youth pastors the most?
Youth pastor salaries at First Presbyterian Church and First United Church of Christ are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average youth pastor salary at companies like Career Opportunity Development and Calvary Christian Center are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | First Presbyterian Church | $43,427 | $20.88 |
| 2 | First United Church of Christ | $39,595 | $19.04 |
| 3 | Career Opportunity Development | $39,385 | $18.94 |
| 4 | Calvary Christian Center | $30,077 | $14.46 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
Youth pastor salary trends
The average youth pastor salary has risen by $5,963 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average youth pastor earned $33,749 annually, but today, they earn $39,712 a year. That works out to a 14% change in pay for youth pastors over the last decade.
Compare youth pastor salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average youth pastor salary over time
Compare youth pastor salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
Youth pastor salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $39,700 | $19.09 | +3.0% |
| 2024 | $38,500 | $18.53 | +2.8% |
| 2023 | $37,500 | $18.01 | +3.9% |
| 2022 | $36,000 | $17.31 | +2.9% |
| 2021 | $35,000 | $16.81 | +3.3% |
Recently added youth pastor salaries
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| River Valley Church | Youth Pastor | Lakeville, MN | 06/28/2025 | $18,000 |
| Kingdom One | Youth, Worship, and Outreach Pastor | Santa Ana, CA | 06/26/2025 | $68,000 |
| Community Baptist Church | Pastor of Youth Ministry | San Mateo, CA | 06/10/2025 | $38,000 |
| First Baptist Church, Emery Sd | Youth Pastor | Emery, SD | 06/10/2025 | $30,000 |
| Covenant Theological Seminary | Youth Pastor | Westminster, CO | 05/30/2025 | $45,000 |
| First Baptist Church, Emery Sd | Youth Pastor | Emery, SD | 05/26/2025 | $30,000 |
| Kingdom One | Youth, Worship, and Outreach Pastor | Long Beach, CA | 05/23/2025 | $68,000 |
| Christian Career | Youth Pastor-First Methodist Church | Carlsbad, NM | 04/28/2025 | $50,000 |
| Community Baptist Church | Pastor of Youth Ministry | San Mateo, CA | 03/27/2025 | $38,000 |
| Willow Creek Community Church | Youth Pastor | South Barrington, IL | 03/24/2025 | $45,000 |
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