Clergy salary in Illinois
Clergy in Illinois earn a median of $61,820 a year ($29.72 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,200 workers.
Pay ranges from $36,760 for the lowest-paid 10% to $86,390 for the top 10%. That is 2% higher than the national median of $60,810. Illinois ranks 16th of 50 states for clergy pay. There are 0.36 clergy per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $62,490, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for clergy in Illinois
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,760 | $17.68 |
| 25th percentile | $46,630 | $22.42 |
| Median | $61,820 | $29.72 |
| 75th percentile | $75,160 | $36.14 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $86,390 | $41.53 |
| Average (mean) | $62,490 | $30.04 |
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 cities in Illinois
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Champaign-Urbana, IL | $62,540 | 40 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $61,820 | 1,690 |
| Rockford, IL | $61,510 | 40 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $60,290 | 440 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $58,820 | 50 |
| Peoria, IL | $56,080 | 80 |
| 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 |
Related jobs in Illinois
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Religious Workers, All Other | $47,070 | $22.63 |
| Directors, Religious Activities and Education | $53,600 | $25.77 |
| Social and Human Service Assistants | $46,950 | $22.57 |
| Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors | $60,730 | $29.20 |
| Child, Family, and School Social Workers | $63,220 | $30.39 |
| Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors | $62,420 | $30.01 |
| Healthcare Social Worker | $64,270 | $30.90 |
| Rehabilitation Counselor | $49,350 | $23.73 |
| Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers | $49,960 | $24.02 |
| Community and Social Service Specialists, All Other | $40,900 | $19.67 |
| Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists | $74,390 | $35.76 |
| Community Health Worker | $49,240 | $23.67 |
| Social Workers, All Other | $64,030 | $30.79 |
| Health Education Specialist | $60,120 | $28.90 |
More: Community and Social Service Occupations · all salaries in Illinois
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 Illinois?
The median salary for clergy in Illinois is $61,820 a year, or $29.72 an hour. Pay ranges from $36,760 for the lowest-paid 10% to $86,390 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid clergy make in Illinois?
The top 10% of clergy in Illinois earn at least $86,390 a year. The top 25% earn $75,160 or more.
What is the starting pay for clergy in Illinois?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $36,760 a year, and a quarter of clergy earn $46,630 or less.
How many clergy work in Illinois?
About 2,200 clergy are employed in Illinois, not counting the self-employed.