Clergy salary in Minnesota
Clergy in Minnesota earn a median of $61,230 a year ($29.44 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,160 workers.
Pay ranges from $38,350 for the lowest-paid 10% to $79,000 for the top 10%. That is 1% higher than the national median of $60,810. Minnesota ranks 19th of 50 states for clergy pay. There are 0.39 clergy per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $61,870, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for clergy in Minnesota
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $38,350 | $18.44 |
| 25th percentile | $49,720 | $23.90 |
| Median | $61,230 | $29.44 |
| 75th percentile | $74,260 | $35.70 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $79,000 | $37.98 |
| Average (mean) | $61,870 | $29.74 |
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 | $5,102.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,551.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,355 |
| Weekly | $1,177.50 |
| Hourly | $29.44 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Clergy salary in cities in Minnesota
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| St. Cloud, MN | $66,280 | 60 |
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $64,060 | 770 |
| Rochester, MN | $63,430 | 50 |
| Fargo, ND-MN | $62,730 | 40 |
| Sioux Falls, SD-MN | $60,970 | 90 |
| La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN | $56,420 | 40 |
| Duluth, MN-WI | $53,770 | 80 |
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 Minnesota
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Directors, Religious Activities and Education | $50,110 | $24.09 |
| Religious Workers, All Other | $36,660 | $17.62 |
| Social and Human Service Assistants | $49,940 | $24.01 |
| Social Workers, All Other | $79,790 | $38.36 |
| Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors | $58,780 | $28.26 |
| Child, Family, and School Social Workers | $67,450 | $32.43 |
| Marriage and Family Therapists | $72,470 | $34.84 |
| Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors | $64,600 | $31.06 |
| Community and Social Service Specialists, All Other | $54,050 | $25.99 |
| Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers | $75,020 | $36.07 |
| Rehabilitation Counselor | $48,010 | $23.08 |
| Healthcare Social Worker | $73,970 | $35.56 |
| Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists | $81,580 | $39.22 |
| Community Health Worker | $47,560 | $22.87 |
More: Community and Social Service Occupations · all salaries in Minnesota
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 Minnesota?
The median salary for clergy in Minnesota is $61,230 a year, or $29.44 an hour. Pay ranges from $38,350 for the lowest-paid 10% to $79,000 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid clergy make in Minnesota?
The top 10% of clergy in Minnesota earn at least $79,000 a year. The top 25% earn $74,260 or more.
What is the starting pay for clergy in Minnesota?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $38,350 a year, and a quarter of clergy earn $49,720 or less.
How many clergy work in Minnesota?
About 1,160 clergy are employed in Minnesota, not counting the self-employed.