Clergy salary in Alabama
Clergy in Alabama earn a median of $50,180 a year ($24.13 an hour), based on BLS data for 850 workers.
Pay ranges from $38,480 for the lowest-paid 10% to $71,650 for the top 10%. That is 17% lower than the national median of $60,810. Alabama ranks 48th of 50 states for clergy pay. There are 0.40 clergy per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $53,790, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for clergy in Alabama
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $38,480 | $18.50 |
| 25th percentile | $48,140 | $23.15 |
| Median | $50,180 | $24.13 |
| 75th percentile | $57,650 | $27.71 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $71,650 | $34.45 |
| Average (mean) | $53,790 | $25.86 |
Half of clergy earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $4,181.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,090.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,930 |
| Weekly | $965 |
| Hourly | $24.13 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Clergy salary in cities in Alabama
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Columbus, GA-AL | $57,210 | 40 |
| Huntsville, AL | $54,550 | 60 |
| Birmingham, AL | $52,190 | 270 |
| Montgomery, AL | $50,860 | 80 |
| Mobile, AL | $49,850 | 70 |
| Daphne-Fairhope-Foley, AL | $49,330 | 40 |
Highest-paying states for clergy
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Washington | $80,830 |
| California | $77,710 |
| Nevada | $73,910 |
| Massachusetts | $72,190 |
| New Jersey | $65,500 |
| New Hampshire | $65,200 |
| Vermont | $64,950 |
| District of Columbia | $64,800 |
| Maine | $64,340 |
| New Mexico | $64,100 |
Related jobs in Alabama
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Directors, Religious Activities and Education | $79,310 | $38.13 |
| Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors | $59,570 | $28.64 |
| Child, Family, and School Social Workers | $46,660 | $22.43 |
| Social and Human Service Assistants | $35,830 | $17.23 |
| Healthcare Social Worker | $60,000 | $28.85 |
| Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists | $61,050 | $29.35 |
| Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers | $41,500 | $19.95 |
| Health Education Specialist | $65,210 | $31.35 |
| Rehabilitation Counselor | $54,040 | $25.98 |
| Social Workers, All Other | $94,270 | $45.32 |
| Community Health Worker | $43,340 | $20.84 |
| Marriage and Family Therapists | $49,990 | $24.03 |
| Counselors, All Other | $47,580 | $22.88 |
| Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors | $47,310 | $22.74 |
More: Community and Social Service Occupations · all salaries in Alabama
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 21-2011. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a clergy make in Alabama?
The median salary for clergy in Alabama is $50,180 a year, or $24.13 an hour. Pay ranges from $38,480 for the lowest-paid 10% to $71,650 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid clergy make in Alabama?
The top 10% of clergy in Alabama earn at least $71,650 a year. The top 25% earn $57,650 or more.
What is the starting pay for clergy in Alabama?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $38,480 a year, and a quarter of clergy earn $48,140 or less.
How many clergy work in Alabama?
About 850 clergy are employed in Alabama, not counting the self-employed.