Clergy salary in Columbia, MO
Clergy in the Columbia, MO metro area earn a median of $55,280 a year ($26.58 an hour), based on BLS data for 40 workers.
Pay ranges from $48,070 for the lowest-paid 10% to $96,100 for the top 10%. That is 9% lower than the national median of $60,810. Pay here is 6% lower than the Missouri statewide median of $58,740. There are 0.35 clergy per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $63,380, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for clergy in Columbia, MO
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $48,070 | $23.11 |
| 25th percentile | $52,670 | $25.32 |
| Median | $55,280 | $26.58 |
| 75th percentile | $73,200 | $35.19 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $96,100 | $46.20 |
| Average (mean) | $63,380 | $30.47 |
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 | $4,606.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,303.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,126.15 |
| Weekly | $1,063.08 |
| Hourly | $26.58 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $60,290 | 440 |
| Kansas City, MO-KS | $58,850 | 370 |
| Springfield, MO | $52,130 | 90 |
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 Missouri statewide figures.
Related jobs in Columbia, MO
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors | $51,260 | $24.64 |
| Child, Family, and School Social Workers | $45,460 | $21.85 |
| Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors | $57,010 | $27.41 |
| Social and Human Service Assistants | $40,090 | $19.27 |
| Healthcare Social Worker | $60,540 | $29.11 |
| Rehabilitation Counselor | $50,050 | $24.06 |
| Community Health Worker | $49,270 | $23.69 |
| Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists | $46,840 | $22.52 |
| Health Education Specialist | $58,300 | $28.03 |
| Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers | $54,140 | $26.03 |
| Community and Social Service Specialists, All Other | $37,090 | $17.83 |
More: Community and Social Service Occupations · all salaries in Columbia, MO
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 Columbia, MO?
The median salary for clergy in the Columbia, MO metro area is $55,280 a year, or $26.58 an hour. Pay ranges from $48,070 for the lowest-paid 10% to $96,100 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid clergy make in Columbia, MO?
The top 10% of clergy in the Columbia, MO metro area earn at least $96,100 a year. The top 25% earn $73,200 or more.
What is the starting pay for clergy in Columbia, MO?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $48,070 a year, and a quarter of clergy earn $52,670 or less.
How many clergy work in Columbia, MO?
About 40 clergy are employed in the Columbia, MO metro area, not counting the self-employed.