Clergy salary in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY
Clergy in the Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY metro area earn a median of $55,070 a year ($26.48 an hour), based on BLS data for 600 workers.
Pay ranges from $39,250 for the lowest-paid 10% to $87,610 for the top 10%. That is 9% lower than the national median of $60,810. Pay here is 6% lower than the New York statewide median of $58,580. There are 1.1 clergy per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 3.0× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $60,320, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for clergy in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $39,250 | $18.87 |
| 25th percentile | $46,910 | $22.55 |
| Median | $55,070 | $26.48 |
| 75th percentile | $76,180 | $36.62 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $87,610 | $42.12 |
| Average (mean) | $60,320 | $29.00 |
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 | $4,589.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,294.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,118.08 |
| Weekly | $1,059.04 |
| Hourly | $26.48 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Clergy salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Elmira, NY | $62,780 | 40 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $61,860 | 6,110 |
| Utica-Rome, NY | $60,460 | 100 |
| Kiryas Joel-Poughkeepsie-Newburgh, NY | $60,340 | 290 |
| Rochester, NY | $59,710 | 470 |
| Ithaca, NY | $58,750 | 40 |
| Kingston, NY | $55,380 | 60 |
| Binghamton, NY | $51,990 | 110 |
| Glens Falls, NY | $49,800 | 60 |
| Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY | $49,160 | 360 |
| Syracuse, NY | $48,770 | 280 |
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 |
See Clergy pay in every state or the New York statewide figures.
Related jobs in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Directors, Religious Activities and Education | $46,420 | $22.32 |
| Religious Workers, All Other | $47,020 | $22.61 |
| Social and Human Service Assistants | $44,340 | $21.32 |
| Child, Family, and School Social Workers | $66,620 | $32.03 |
| Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors | $62,000 | $29.81 |
| Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors | $55,750 | $26.81 |
| Healthcare Social Worker | $64,940 | $31.22 |
| Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers | $70,230 | $33.76 |
| Community and Social Service Specialists, All Other | $60,840 | $29.25 |
| Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists | $83,030 | $39.92 |
| Rehabilitation Counselor | $43,930 | $21.12 |
| Community Health Worker | $52,900 | $25.43 |
| Social Workers, All Other | $80,850 | $38.87 |
| Health Education Specialist | $49,570 | $23.83 |
More: Community and Social Service Occupations · all salaries in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY
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 Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY?
The median salary for clergy in the Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY metro area is $55,070 a year, or $26.48 an hour. Pay ranges from $39,250 for the lowest-paid 10% to $87,610 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid clergy make in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY?
The top 10% of clergy in the Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY metro area earn at least $87,610 a year. The top 25% earn $76,180 or more.
What is the starting pay for clergy in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $39,250 a year, and a quarter of clergy earn $46,910 or less.
How many clergy work in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY?
About 600 clergy are employed in the Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY metro area, not counting the self-employed.