Clergy salary in Mississippi
Clergy in Mississippi earn a median of $52,450 a year ($25.22 an hour), based on BLS data for 250 workers.
Pay ranges from $35,030 for the lowest-paid 10% to $85,810 for the top 10%. That is 14% lower than the national median of $60,810. Mississippi ranks 46th of 50 states for clergy pay. There are 0.22 clergy per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.59). The average (mean) salary is $56,880, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for clergy in Mississippi
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $35,030 | $16.84 |
| 25th percentile | $48,270 | $23.21 |
| Median | $52,450 | $25.22 |
| 75th percentile | $60,790 | $29.23 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $85,810 | $41.25 |
| Average (mean) | $56,880 | $27.35 |
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 | $4,370.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,185.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,017.31 |
| Weekly | $1,008.65 |
| Hourly | $25.22 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Clergy salary in cities in Mississippi
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $59,240 | 140 |
| Jackson, MS | $57,110 | 60 |
| Hattiesburg, MS | $51,670 | 30 |
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 Mississippi
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Directors, Religious Activities and Education | $49,430 | $23.76 |
| Religious Workers, All Other | $37,130 | $17.85 |
| Child, Family, and School Social Workers | $46,530 | $22.37 |
| Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors | $58,710 | $28.23 |
| Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors | $46,990 | $22.59 |
| Healthcare Social Worker | $62,250 | $29.93 |
| Community and Social Service Specialists, All Other | $44,340 | $21.32 |
| Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers | $48,970 | $23.55 |
| Rehabilitation Counselor | $41,500 | $19.95 |
| Community Health Worker | $39,520 | $19.00 |
| Health Education Specialist | $51,020 | $24.53 |
| Social Workers, All Other | $91,560 | $44.02 |
| Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists | $34,110 | $16.40 |
| Marriage and Family Therapists | $51,440 | $24.73 |
More: Community and Social Service Occupations · all salaries in Mississippi
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 Mississippi?
The median salary for clergy in Mississippi is $52,450 a year, or $25.22 an hour. Pay ranges from $35,030 for the lowest-paid 10% to $85,810 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid clergy make in Mississippi?
The top 10% of clergy in Mississippi earn at least $85,810 a year. The top 25% earn $60,790 or more.
What is the starting pay for clergy in Mississippi?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $35,030 a year, and a quarter of clergy earn $48,270 or less.
How many clergy work in Mississippi?
About 250 clergy are employed in Mississippi, not counting the self-employed.