Clergy salary in Knoxville, TN
Clergy in the Knoxville, TN metro area earn a median of $57,140 a year ($27.47 an hour), based on BLS data for 60 workers.
Pay ranges from $44,090 for the lowest-paid 10% to $67,640 for the top 10%. That is 6% lower than the national median of $60,810. Pay here is about the same as the Tennessee statewide median of $57,260. There are 0.14 clergy per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.37). The average (mean) salary is $56,570, close to the median.
Pay range for clergy in Knoxville, TN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $44,090 | $21.20 |
| 25th percentile | $49,450 | $23.77 |
| Median | $57,140 | $27.47 |
| 75th percentile | $62,660 | $30.12 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $67,640 | $32.52 |
| Average (mean) | $56,570 | $27.20 |
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 | $4,761.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,380.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,197.69 |
| Weekly | $1,098.85 |
| Hourly | $27.47 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Clergy salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $60,720 | 220 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $59,240 | 140 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $59,040 | 70 |
| Johnson City, TN | $53,390 | 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 Tennessee statewide figures.
Related jobs in Knoxville, TN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Religious Workers, All Other | $40,810 | $19.62 |
| Child, Family, and School Social Workers | $56,310 | $27.07 |
| Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors | $48,910 | $23.52 |
| Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors | $58,640 | $28.19 |
| Social and Human Service Assistants | $37,250 | $17.91 |
| Healthcare Social Worker | $61,560 | $29.59 |
| Social Workers, All Other | $38,830 | $18.67 |
| Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers | $45,660 | $21.95 |
| Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists | $58,030 | $27.90 |
| Rehabilitation Counselor | $44,060 | $21.18 |
| Community and Social Service Specialists, All Other | $52,880 | $25.42 |
| Marriage and Family Therapists | $42,610 | $20.49 |
| Counselors, All Other | $52,880 | $25.42 |
| Health Education Specialist | $64,320 | $30.92 |
More: Community and Social Service Occupations · all salaries in Knoxville, TN
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 Knoxville, TN?
The median salary for clergy in the Knoxville, TN metro area is $57,140 a year, or $27.47 an hour. Pay ranges from $44,090 for the lowest-paid 10% to $67,640 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid clergy make in Knoxville, TN?
The top 10% of clergy in the Knoxville, TN metro area earn at least $67,640 a year. The top 25% earn $62,660 or more.
What is the starting pay for clergy in Knoxville, TN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $44,090 a year, and a quarter of clergy earn $49,450 or less.
How many clergy work in Knoxville, TN?
About 60 clergy are employed in the Knoxville, TN metro area, not counting the self-employed.