Clergy salary in Arkansas
Clergy in Arkansas earn a median of $49,070 a year ($23.59 an hour), based on BLS data for 350 workers.
Pay ranges from $30,070 for the lowest-paid 10% to $78,850 for the top 10%. That is 19% lower than the national median of $60,810. Arkansas ranks 49th of 50 states for clergy pay. There are 0.27 clergy per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.72). The average (mean) salary is $52,160, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for clergy in Arkansas
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $30,070 | $14.46 |
| 25th percentile | $38,350 | $18.44 |
| Median | $49,070 | $23.59 |
| 75th percentile | $59,430 | $28.57 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $78,850 | $37.91 |
| Average (mean) | $52,160 | $25.08 |
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 | $4,089.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,044.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,887.31 |
| Weekly | $943.65 |
| Hourly | $23.59 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Clergy salary in cities in Arkansas
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $59,240 | 140 |
| Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR | $54,360 | 70 |
| Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR | $49,410 | 110 |
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 Arkansas
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Directors, Religious Activities and Education | $33,920 | $16.31 |
| Religious Workers, All Other | $44,760 | $21.52 |
| Social and Human Service Assistants | $36,770 | $17.68 |
| Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors | $51,580 | $24.80 |
| Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors | $59,770 | $28.74 |
| Healthcare Social Worker | $55,640 | $26.75 |
| Child, Family, and School Social Workers | $43,330 | $20.83 |
| Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers | $58,590 | $28.17 |
| Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists | $51,180 | $24.61 |
| Social Workers, All Other | $47,790 | $22.98 |
| Rehabilitation Counselor | $35,210 | $16.93 |
| Community and Social Service Specialists, All Other | $40,840 | $19.64 |
| Health Education Specialist | $62,270 | $29.94 |
| Counselors, All Other | $49,310 | $23.71 |
More: Community and Social Service Occupations · all salaries in Arkansas
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 Arkansas?
The median salary for clergy in Arkansas is $49,070 a year, or $23.59 an hour. Pay ranges from $30,070 for the lowest-paid 10% to $78,850 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid clergy make in Arkansas?
The top 10% of clergy in Arkansas earn at least $78,850 a year. The top 25% earn $59,430 or more.
What is the starting pay for clergy in Arkansas?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $30,070 a year, and a quarter of clergy earn $38,350 or less.
How many clergy work in Arkansas?
About 350 clergy are employed in Arkansas, not counting the self-employed.