Clergy salary in Georgia
Clergy in Georgia earn a median of $60,530 a year ($29.10 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,380 workers.
Pay ranges from $35,260 for the lowest-paid 10% to $85,530 for the top 10%. That is about the same as the national median of $60,810. Georgia ranks 24th of 50 states for clergy pay. There are 0.28 clergy per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.77). The average (mean) salary is $60,880, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for clergy in Georgia
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $35,260 | $16.95 |
| 25th percentile | $46,490 | $22.35 |
| Median | $60,530 | $29.10 |
| 75th percentile | $69,890 | $33.60 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $85,530 | $41.12 |
| Average (mean) | $60,880 | $29.27 |
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 | $5,044.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,522.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,328.08 |
| Weekly | $1,164.04 |
| Hourly | $29.10 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Clergy salary in cities in Georgia
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | $65,150 | 720 |
| Athens-Clarke County, GA | $59,530 | 40 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $59,040 | 70 |
| Columbus, GA-AL | $57,210 | 40 |
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $57,160 | 80 |
| Savannah, GA | $53,650 | 60 |
| Macon-Bibb County, GA | $53,540 | 50 |
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 |
Related jobs in Georgia
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Religious Workers, All Other | $49,200 | $23.65 |
| Directors, Religious Activities and Education | $72,910 | $35.05 |
| Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors | $63,720 | $30.63 |
| Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors | $58,960 | $28.35 |
| Social and Human Service Assistants | $39,480 | $18.98 |
| Child, Family, and School Social Workers | $47,510 | $22.84 |
| Healthcare Social Worker | $62,420 | $30.01 |
| Community and Social Service Specialists, All Other | $45,220 | $21.74 |
| Health Education Specialist | $99,400 | $47.79 |
| Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists | $60,270 | $28.98 |
| Social Workers, All Other | $78,260 | $37.63 |
| Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers | $52,030 | $25.02 |
| Counselors, All Other | $79,490 | $38.22 |
| Rehabilitation Counselor | $55,000 | $26.44 |
More: Community and Social Service Occupations · all salaries in Georgia
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 Georgia?
The median salary for clergy in Georgia is $60,530 a year, or $29.10 an hour. Pay ranges from $35,260 for the lowest-paid 10% to $85,530 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid clergy make in Georgia?
The top 10% of clergy in Georgia earn at least $85,530 a year. The top 25% earn $69,890 or more.
What is the starting pay for clergy in Georgia?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $35,260 a year, and a quarter of clergy earn $46,490 or less.
How many clergy work in Georgia?
About 1,380 clergy are employed in Georgia, not counting the self-employed.