Clergy salary in Montana
Clergy in Montana earn a median of $59,550 a year ($28.63 an hour), based on BLS data for 680 workers.
Pay ranges from $35,050 for the lowest-paid 10% to $96,460 for the top 10%. That is 2% lower than the national median of $60,810. Montana ranks 29th of 50 states for clergy pay. There are 1.3 clergy per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 3.6× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $63,190, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for clergy in Montana
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $35,050 | $16.85 |
| 25th percentile | $43,610 | $20.97 |
| Median | $59,550 | $28.63 |
| 75th percentile | $79,890 | $38.41 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $96,460 | $46.38 |
| Average (mean) | $63,190 | $30.38 |
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 | $4,962.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,481.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,290.38 |
| Weekly | $1,145.19 |
| Hourly | $28.63 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Clergy salary in cities in Montana
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Bozeman, MT | $81,770 | 80 |
| Billings, MT | $70,660 | 120 |
| Helena, MT | $61,520 | 60 |
| Missoula, MT | $60,730 | 80 |
| Great Falls, MT | $59,130 | 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 Montana
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Directors, Religious Activities and Education | $45,220 | $21.74 |
| Religious Workers, All Other | $37,250 | $17.91 |
| Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors | $59,000 | $28.36 |
| Child, Family, and School Social Workers | $56,780 | $27.30 |
| Social and Human Service Assistants | $38,570 | $18.54 |
| Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors | $57,900 | $27.84 |
| Healthcare Social Worker | $57,090 | $27.45 |
| Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers | $45,160 | $21.71 |
| Social Workers, All Other | $51,650 | $24.83 |
| Community and Social Service Specialists, All Other | $41,850 | $20.12 |
| Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists | $59,750 | $28.72 |
| Community Health Worker | $49,780 | $23.93 |
| Rehabilitation Counselor | $45,240 | $21.75 |
| Health Education Specialist | $51,200 | $24.62 |
More: Community and Social Service Occupations · all salaries in Montana
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 Montana?
The median salary for clergy in Montana is $59,550 a year, or $28.63 an hour. Pay ranges from $35,050 for the lowest-paid 10% to $96,460 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid clergy make in Montana?
The top 10% of clergy in Montana earn at least $96,460 a year. The top 25% earn $79,890 or more.
What is the starting pay for clergy in Montana?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $35,050 a year, and a quarter of clergy earn $43,610 or less.
How many clergy work in Montana?
About 680 clergy are employed in Montana, not counting the self-employed.