Clergy salary in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
Clergy in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn a median of $61,820 a year ($29.72 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,690 workers.
Pay ranges from $36,870 for the lowest-paid 10% to $85,400 for the top 10%. That is 2% higher than the national median of $60,810. Pay here is about the same as the Illinois statewide median of $61,820. There are 0.38 clergy per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $63,640, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for clergy in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,870 | $17.73 |
| 25th percentile | $50,030 | $24.05 |
| Median | $61,820 | $29.72 |
| 75th percentile | $76,130 | $36.60 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $85,400 | $41.06 |
| Average (mean) | $63,640 | $30.59 |
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 | $5,151.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,575.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,377.69 |
| Weekly | $1,188.85 |
| Hourly | $29.72 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN | $65,670 | 30 |
| Champaign-Urbana, IL | $62,540 | 40 |
| Rockford, IL | $61,510 | 40 |
| Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN | $61,410 | 410 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $61,390 | 410 |
| Fort Wayne, IN | $60,360 | 90 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $60,290 | 440 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $58,820 | 50 |
| Evansville, IN | $58,430 | 60 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $56,760 | 170 |
| Peoria, IL | $56,080 | 80 |
| South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI | $54,350 | 60 |
| Bloomington, IL | $52,650 | 40 |
| Springfield, IL | $52,070 | 60 |
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 Illinois statewide figures.
Related jobs in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Religious Workers, All Other | $50,210 | $24.14 |
| Directors, Religious Activities and Education | $52,560 | $25.27 |
| Social and Human Service Assistants | $47,180 | $22.69 |
| Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors | $61,600 | $29.62 |
| Child, Family, and School Social Workers | $64,790 | $31.15 |
| Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors | $64,730 | $31.12 |
| Healthcare Social Worker | $71,430 | $34.34 |
| Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers | $57,720 | $27.75 |
| Rehabilitation Counselor | $49,350 | $23.73 |
| Community and Social Service Specialists, All Other | $41,240 | $19.83 |
| Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists | $67,610 | $32.51 |
| Community Health Worker | $49,750 | $23.92 |
| Social Workers, All Other | $71,740 | $34.49 |
| Health Education Specialist | $60,120 | $28.90 |
More: Community and Social Service Occupations · all salaries in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
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 Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
The median salary for clergy in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area is $61,820 a year, or $29.72 an hour. Pay ranges from $36,870 for the lowest-paid 10% to $85,400 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid clergy make in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
The top 10% of clergy in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn at least $85,400 a year. The top 25% earn $76,130 or more.
What is the starting pay for clergy in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $36,870 a year, and a quarter of clergy earn $50,030 or less.
How many clergy work in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
About 1,690 clergy are employed in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area, not counting the self-employed.