Clergy salary in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
Clergy in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area earn a median of $61,640 a year ($29.63 an hour), based on BLS data for 80 workers.
Pay ranges from $49,980 for the lowest-paid 10% to $73,620 for the top 10%. That is 1% higher than the national median of $60,810. Pay here is 2% higher than the Iowa statewide median of $60,630. There are 0.19 clergy per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.53). The average (mean) salary is $62,710, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for clergy in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $49,980 | $24.03 |
| 25th percentile | $58,570 | $28.16 |
| Median | $61,640 | $29.63 |
| 75th percentile | $66,040 | $31.75 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $73,620 | $35.39 |
| Average (mean) | $62,710 | $30.15 |
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 | $5,136.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,568.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,370.77 |
| Weekly | $1,185.38 |
| Hourly | $29.63 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $61,640 salary, see how much house you can afford in Iowa at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Clergy salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $60,170 | 30 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $58,820 | 50 |
| Omaha, NE-IA | $58,170 | 140 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $57,320 | 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 Iowa statewide figures.
Related jobs in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Religious Workers, All Other | $47,680 | $22.92 |
| Directors, Religious Activities and Education | $66,140 | $31.80 |
| Social and Human Service Assistants | $45,760 | $22.00 |
| Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors | $61,320 | $29.48 |
| Child, Family, and School Social Workers | $56,280 | $27.06 |
| Rehabilitation Counselor | $46,200 | $22.21 |
| Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors | $57,580 | $27.68 |
| Healthcare Social Worker | $62,360 | $29.98 |
| Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers | $49,750 | $23.92 |
| Health Education Specialist | $75,750 | $36.42 |
| Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists | $79,370 | $38.16 |
| Social Workers, All Other | $94,930 | $45.64 |
| Marriage and Family Therapists | $63,380 | $30.47 |
| Community and Social Service Specialists, All Other | $48,310 | $23.23 |
More: Community and Social Service Occupations · all salaries in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
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 Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
The median salary for clergy in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area is $61,640 a year, or $29.63 an hour. Pay ranges from $49,980 for the lowest-paid 10% to $73,620 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid clergy make in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
The top 10% of clergy in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area earn at least $73,620 a year. The top 25% earn $66,040 or more.
What is the starting pay for clergy in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $49,980 a year, and a quarter of clergy earn $58,570 or less.
How many clergy work in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
About 80 clergy are employed in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.