Clergy salary in Louisiana
Clergy in Louisiana earn a median of $54,140 a year ($26.03 an hour), based on BLS data for 400 workers.
Pay ranges from $31,270 for the lowest-paid 10% to $75,490 for the top 10%. That is 11% lower than the national median of $60,810. Louisiana ranks 45th 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 0.56). The average (mean) salary is $54,690, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for clergy in Louisiana
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $31,270 | $15.03 |
| 25th percentile | $43,480 | $20.91 |
| Median | $54,140 | $26.03 |
| 75th percentile | $61,160 | $29.41 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $75,490 | $36.29 |
| Average (mean) | $54,690 | $26.30 |
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 | $4,511.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,255.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,082.31 |
| Weekly | $1,041.15 |
| Hourly | $26.03 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Clergy salary in cities in Louisiana
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Baton Rouge, LA | $56,810 | 80 |
| Shreveport-Bossier City, LA | $55,110 | 30 |
| New Orleans-Metairie, LA | $54,140 | 80 |
| Lafayette, LA | $45,760 | 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 Louisiana
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Directors, Religious Activities and Education | $29,540 | $14.20 |
| Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors | $37,910 | $18.22 |
| Community and Social Service Specialists, All Other | $49,080 | $23.60 |
| Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors | $61,870 | $29.74 |
| Social and Human Service Assistants | $35,780 | $17.20 |
| Healthcare Social Worker | $61,080 | $29.37 |
| Counselors, All Other | $47,830 | $23.00 |
| Child, Family, and School Social Workers | $56,800 | $27.31 |
| Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists | $62,910 | $30.25 |
| Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers | $47,100 | $22.64 |
| Social Workers, All Other | $69,230 | $33.29 |
| Health Education Specialist | $57,840 | $27.81 |
| Rehabilitation Counselor | $47,990 | $23.07 |
| Community Health Worker | $46,450 | $22.33 |
More: Community and Social Service Occupations · all salaries in Louisiana
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 Louisiana?
The median salary for clergy in Louisiana is $54,140 a year, or $26.03 an hour. Pay ranges from $31,270 for the lowest-paid 10% to $75,490 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid clergy make in Louisiana?
The top 10% of clergy in Louisiana earn at least $75,490 a year. The top 25% earn $61,160 or more.
What is the starting pay for clergy in Louisiana?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $31,270 a year, and a quarter of clergy earn $43,480 or less.
How many clergy work in Louisiana?
About 400 clergy are employed in Louisiana, not counting the self-employed.