Clergy salary in Missouri
Clergy in Missouri earn a median of $58,740 a year ($28.24 an hour), based on BLS data for 920 workers.
Pay ranges from $44,260 for the lowest-paid 10% to $77,940 for the top 10%. That is 3% lower than the national median of $60,810. Missouri ranks 35th of 50 states for clergy pay. There are 0.32 clergy per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $60,750, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for clergy in Missouri
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $44,260 | $21.28 |
| 25th percentile | $51,780 | $24.90 |
| Median | $58,740 | $28.24 |
| 75th percentile | $65,750 | $31.61 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $77,940 | $37.47 |
| Average (mean) | $60,750 | $29.21 |
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 | $4,895 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,447.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,259.23 |
| Weekly | $1,129.62 |
| Hourly | $28.24 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Clergy salary in cities in Missouri
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $60,290 | 440 |
| Kansas City, MO-KS | $58,850 | 370 |
| Columbia, MO | $55,280 | 40 |
| Springfield, MO | $52,130 | 90 |
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 Missouri
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Religious Workers, All Other | $46,780 | $22.49 |
| Directors, Religious Activities and Education | $52,980 | $25.47 |
| Child, Family, and School Social Workers | $48,520 | $23.33 |
| Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors | $58,040 | $27.91 |
| Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors | $56,910 | $27.36 |
| Social and Human Service Assistants | $41,780 | $20.09 |
| Healthcare Social Worker | $59,870 | $28.79 |
| Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists | $46,840 | $22.52 |
| Rehabilitation Counselor | $45,180 | $21.72 |
| Community Health Worker | $48,770 | $23.45 |
| Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers | $49,560 | $23.83 |
| Community and Social Service Specialists, All Other | $50,180 | $24.13 |
| Social Workers, All Other | $98,740 | $47.47 |
| Marriage and Family Therapists | $60,440 | $29.06 |
More: Community and Social Service Occupations · all salaries in Missouri
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 Missouri?
The median salary for clergy in Missouri is $58,740 a year, or $28.24 an hour. Pay ranges from $44,260 for the lowest-paid 10% to $77,940 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid clergy make in Missouri?
The top 10% of clergy in Missouri earn at least $77,940 a year. The top 25% earn $65,750 or more.
What is the starting pay for clergy in Missouri?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $44,260 a year, and a quarter of clergy earn $51,780 or less.
How many clergy work in Missouri?
About 920 clergy are employed in Missouri, not counting the self-employed.