Clergy salary in Iowa
Clergy in Iowa earn a median of $60,630 a year ($29.15 an hour), based on BLS data for 370 workers.
Pay ranges from $46,920 for the lowest-paid 10% to $73,340 for the top 10%. That is about the same as the national median of $60,810. Iowa ranks 23rd of 50 states for clergy pay. There are 0.23 clergy per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.64). The average (mean) salary is $60,200, close to the median.
Pay range for clergy in Iowa
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $46,920 | $22.56 |
| 25th percentile | $52,910 | $25.44 |
| Median | $60,630 | $29.15 |
| 75th percentile | $66,290 | $31.87 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $73,340 | $35.26 |
| Average (mean) | $60,200 | $28.94 |
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 | $5,052.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,526.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,331.92 |
| Weekly | $1,165.96 |
| Hourly | $29.15 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Clergy salary in cities in Iowa
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $61,640 | 80 |
| 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 |
Related jobs in Iowa
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Religious Workers, All Other | $44,110 | $21.21 |
| Directors, Religious Activities and Education | $66,140 | $31.80 |
| Social and Human Service Assistants | $42,480 | $20.42 |
| Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors | $56,540 | $27.18 |
| Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors | $60,880 | $29.27 |
| Child, Family, and School Social Workers | $52,250 | $25.12 |
| Rehabilitation Counselor | $39,630 | $19.05 |
| Healthcare Social Worker | $63,050 | $30.31 |
| Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers | $48,530 | $23.33 |
| Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists | $77,390 | $37.21 |
| Health Education Specialist | $75,750 | $36.42 |
| Community Health Worker | $47,780 | $22.97 |
| Community and Social Service Specialists, All Other | $46,460 | $22.34 |
| Marriage and Family Therapists | $67,180 | $32.30 |
More: Community and Social Service Occupations · all salaries in Iowa
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 Iowa?
The median salary for clergy in Iowa is $60,630 a year, or $29.15 an hour. Pay ranges from $46,920 for the lowest-paid 10% to $73,340 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid clergy make in Iowa?
The top 10% of clergy in Iowa earn at least $73,340 a year. The top 25% earn $66,290 or more.
What is the starting pay for clergy in Iowa?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $46,920 a year, and a quarter of clergy earn $52,910 or less.
How many clergy work in Iowa?
About 370 clergy are employed in Iowa, not counting the self-employed.