Clergy salary in Kentucky
Clergy in Kentucky earn a median of $58,920 a year ($28.33 an hour), based on BLS data for 410 workers.
Pay ranges from $40,640 for the lowest-paid 10% to $80,630 for the top 10%. That is 3% lower than the national median of $60,810. Kentucky ranks 34th of 50 states for clergy pay. There are 0.20 clergy per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.55). The average (mean) salary is $58,370, close to the median.
Pay range for clergy in Kentucky
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $40,640 | $19.54 |
| 25th percentile | $48,510 | $23.32 |
| Median | $58,920 | $28.33 |
| 75th percentile | $65,370 | $31.43 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $80,630 | $38.76 |
| Average (mean) | $58,370 | $28.06 |
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 | $4,910 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,455 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,266.15 |
| Weekly | $1,133.08 |
| Hourly | $28.33 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Clergy salary in cities in Kentucky
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $61,390 | 410 |
| Lexington-Fayette, KY | $59,220 | 90 |
| Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH | $59,000 | 60 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $56,760 | 170 |
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 Kentucky
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Directors, Religious Activities and Education | $52,230 | $25.11 |
| Religious Workers, All Other | $34,090 | $16.39 |
| Child, Family, and School Social Workers | $59,100 | $28.42 |
| Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors | $54,190 | $26.05 |
| Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors | $64,350 | $30.94 |
| Social and Human Service Assistants | $37,440 | $18.00 |
| Healthcare Social Worker | $64,080 | $30.81 |
| Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers | $42,570 | $20.46 |
| Community Health Worker | $48,230 | $23.19 |
| Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists | $59,610 | $28.66 |
| Rehabilitation Counselor | $58,540 | $28.15 |
| Health Education Specialist | $65,370 | $31.43 |
| Social Workers, All Other | $85,160 | $40.94 |
| Marriage and Family Therapists | $52,420 | $25.20 |
More: Community and Social Service Occupations · all salaries in Kentucky
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 Kentucky?
The median salary for clergy in Kentucky is $58,920 a year, or $28.33 an hour. Pay ranges from $40,640 for the lowest-paid 10% to $80,630 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid clergy make in Kentucky?
The top 10% of clergy in Kentucky earn at least $80,630 a year. The top 25% earn $65,370 or more.
What is the starting pay for clergy in Kentucky?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $40,640 a year, and a quarter of clergy earn $48,510 or less.
How many clergy work in Kentucky?
About 410 clergy are employed in Kentucky, not counting the self-employed.