Clergy salary in Massachusetts
Clergy in Massachusetts earn a median of $72,190 a year ($34.71 an hour), based on BLS data for 840 workers.
Pay ranges from $51,600 for the lowest-paid 10% to $98,650 for the top 10%. That is 19% higher than the national median of $60,810. Massachusetts ranks 4th of 50 states for clergy pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.23 clergy per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.63). The average (mean) salary is $73,510, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for clergy in Massachusetts
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $51,600 | $24.81 |
| 25th percentile | $61,250 | $29.45 |
| Median | $72,190 | $34.71 |
| 75th percentile | $78,530 | $37.75 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $98,650 | $47.43 |
| Average (mean) | $73,510 | $35.34 |
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 | $6,015.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,007.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,776.54 |
| Weekly | $1,388.27 |
| Hourly | $34.71 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Clergy salary in cities in Massachusetts
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | $73,160 | 620 |
| Worcester, MA | $72,300 | 100 |
| Springfield, MA | $69,900 | 50 |
| Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | $59,800 | 250 |
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 Massachusetts
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Directors, Religious Activities and Education | $62,930 | $30.25 |
| Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors | $59,890 | $28.80 |
| Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors | $79,930 | $38.43 |
| Child, Family, and School Social Workers | $75,570 | $36.33 |
| Social and Human Service Assistants | $47,130 | $22.66 |
| Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers | $62,500 | $30.05 |
| Healthcare Social Worker | $76,440 | $36.75 |
| Rehabilitation Counselor | $47,320 | $22.75 |
| Community Health Worker | $55,560 | $26.71 |
| Health Education Specialist | $57,510 | $27.65 |
| Community and Social Service Specialists, All Other | $57,360 | $27.58 |
| Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists | $94,590 | $45.48 |
| Marriage and Family Therapists | $67,370 | $32.39 |
| Social Workers, All Other | $101,280 | $48.69 |
More: Community and Social Service Occupations · all salaries in Massachusetts
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 Massachusetts?
The median salary for clergy in Massachusetts is $72,190 a year, or $34.71 an hour. Pay ranges from $51,600 for the lowest-paid 10% to $98,650 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid clergy make in Massachusetts?
The top 10% of clergy in Massachusetts earn at least $98,650 a year. The top 25% earn $78,530 or more.
What is the starting pay for clergy in Massachusetts?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $51,600 a year, and a quarter of clergy earn $61,250 or less.
How many clergy work in Massachusetts?
About 840 clergy are employed in Massachusetts, not counting the self-employed.