Clergy salary in Columbia, SC
Clergy in the Columbia, SC metro area earn a median of $57,990 a year ($27.88 an hour), based on BLS data for 90 workers.
Pay ranges from $46,550 for the lowest-paid 10% to $78,850 for the top 10%. That is 5% lower than the national median of $60,810. Pay here is 2% higher than the South Carolina statewide median of $56,630. There are 0.22 clergy per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.60). The average (mean) salary is $59,610, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for clergy in Columbia, SC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $46,550 | $22.38 |
| 25th percentile | $51,310 | $24.67 |
| Median | $57,990 | $27.88 |
| 75th percentile | $64,470 | $31.00 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $78,850 | $37.91 |
| Average (mean) | $59,610 | $28.66 |
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 | $4,832.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,416.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,230.38 |
| Weekly | $1,115.19 |
| Hourly | $27.88 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $60,760 | 360 |
| Charleston-North Charleston, SC | $59,570 | 60 |
| Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC | $57,430 | 70 |
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $57,160 | 80 |
| Spartanburg, SC | $56,400 | 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 South Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Columbia, SC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Directors, Religious Activities and Education | $39,210 | $18.85 |
| Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors | $60,070 | $28.88 |
| Child, Family, and School Social Workers | $50,610 | $24.33 |
| Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors | $58,920 | $28.33 |
| Social and Human Service Assistants | $38,550 | $18.54 |
| Healthcare Social Worker | $62,130 | $29.87 |
| Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers | $48,250 | $23.20 |
| Social Workers, All Other | $100,420 | $48.28 |
| Rehabilitation Counselor | $35,880 | $17.25 |
| Health Education Specialist | $62,960 | $30.27 |
| Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists | $62,830 | $30.21 |
| Marriage and Family Therapists | $49,340 | $23.72 |
| Community Health Worker | $45,820 | $22.03 |
| Community and Social Service Specialists, All Other | $53,710 | $25.82 |
More: Community and Social Service Occupations · all salaries in Columbia, SC
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, SC?
The median salary for clergy in the Columbia, SC metro area is $57,990 a year, or $27.88 an hour. Pay ranges from $46,550 for the lowest-paid 10% to $78,850 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid clergy make in Columbia, SC?
The top 10% of clergy in the Columbia, SC metro area earn at least $78,850 a year. The top 25% earn $64,470 or more.
What is the starting pay for clergy in Columbia, SC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $46,550 a year, and a quarter of clergy earn $51,310 or less.
How many clergy work in Columbia, SC?
About 90 clergy are employed in the Columbia, SC metro area, not counting the self-employed.