Clergy salary in Chattanooga, TN-GA
Clergy in the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area earn a median of $59,040 a year ($28.39 an hour), based on BLS data for 70 workers.
Pay ranges from $42,490 for the lowest-paid 10% to $71,070 for the top 10%. That is 3% lower than the national median of $60,810. Pay here is 3% higher than the Tennessee statewide median of $57,260. There are 0.26 clergy per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.71). The average (mean) salary is $59,050, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for clergy in Chattanooga, TN-GA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $42,490 | $20.43 |
| 25th percentile | $50,120 | $24.09 |
| Median | $59,040 | $28.39 |
| 75th percentile | $64,580 | $31.05 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $71,070 | $34.17 |
| Average (mean) | $59,050 | $28.39 |
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 | $4,920 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,460 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,270.77 |
| Weekly | $1,135.38 |
| Hourly | $28.39 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | $65,150 | 720 |
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $60,720 | 220 |
| Athens-Clarke County, GA | $59,530 | 40 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $59,240 | 140 |
| Columbus, GA-AL | $57,210 | 40 |
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $57,160 | 80 |
| Knoxville, TN | $57,140 | 60 |
| Savannah, GA | $53,650 | 60 |
| Macon-Bibb County, GA | $53,540 | 50 |
| Johnson City, TN | $53,390 | 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 |
See Clergy pay in every state or the Tennessee statewide figures.
Related jobs in Chattanooga, TN-GA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Healthcare Social Worker | $59,950 | $28.82 |
| Child, Family, and School Social Workers | $52,330 | $25.16 |
| Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors | $56,660 | $27.24 |
| Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors | $55,270 | $26.57 |
| Social and Human Service Assistants | $39,520 | $19.00 |
| Marriage and Family Therapists | $48,050 | $23.10 |
| Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists | $56,420 | $27.12 |
| Rehabilitation Counselor | $49,450 | $23.77 |
| Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers | $45,360 | $21.81 |
| Social Workers, All Other | $53,640 | $25.79 |
| Community and Social Service Specialists, All Other | $47,720 | $22.94 |
| Counselors, All Other | $53,110 | $25.53 |
| Health Education Specialist | $47,420 | $22.80 |
More: Community and Social Service Occupations · all salaries in Chattanooga, TN-GA
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 Chattanooga, TN-GA?
The median salary for clergy in the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area is $59,040 a year, or $28.39 an hour. Pay ranges from $42,490 for the lowest-paid 10% to $71,070 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid clergy make in Chattanooga, TN-GA?
The top 10% of clergy in the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area earn at least $71,070 a year. The top 25% earn $64,580 or more.
What is the starting pay for clergy in Chattanooga, TN-GA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $42,490 a year, and a quarter of clergy earn $50,120 or less.
How many clergy work in Chattanooga, TN-GA?
About 70 clergy are employed in the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area, not counting the self-employed.