Clergy salary in New Jersey
Clergy in New Jersey earn a median of $65,500 a year ($31.49 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,460 workers.
Pay ranges from $39,540 for the lowest-paid 10% to $93,780 for the top 10%. That is 8% higher than the national median of $60,810. New Jersey ranks 5th of 50 states for clergy pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.34 clergy per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $65,740, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for clergy in New Jersey
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $39,540 | $19.01 |
| 25th percentile | $49,570 | $23.83 |
| Median | $65,500 | $31.49 |
| 75th percentile | $75,270 | $36.19 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $93,780 | $45.09 |
| Average (mean) | $65,740 | $31.61 |
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 | $5,458.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,729.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,519.23 |
| Weekly | $1,259.62 |
| Hourly | $31.49 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Clergy salary in cities in New Jersey
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $63,430 | 950 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $61,860 | 6,110 |
| Trenton-Princeton, NJ | $61,640 | 60 |
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ | $59,510 | 150 |
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 New Jersey
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Religious Workers, All Other | $43,480 | $20.90 |
| Directors, Religious Activities and Education | $65,730 | $31.60 |
| Social and Human Service Assistants | $48,420 | $23.28 |
| Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors | $62,820 | $30.20 |
| Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors | $77,910 | $37.46 |
| Child, Family, and School Social Workers | $76,280 | $36.67 |
| Healthcare Social Worker | $82,690 | $39.76 |
| Marriage and Family Therapists | $92,150 | $44.30 |
| Community and Social Service Specialists, All Other | $61,910 | $29.76 |
| Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists | $80,280 | $38.60 |
| Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers | $66,590 | $32.02 |
| Rehabilitation Counselor | $49,730 | $23.91 |
| Health Education Specialist | $73,740 | $35.45 |
| Community Health Worker | $55,790 | $26.82 |
More: Community and Social Service Occupations · all salaries in New Jersey
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 New Jersey?
The median salary for clergy in New Jersey is $65,500 a year, or $31.49 an hour. Pay ranges from $39,540 for the lowest-paid 10% to $93,780 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid clergy make in New Jersey?
The top 10% of clergy in New Jersey earn at least $93,780 a year. The top 25% earn $75,270 or more.
What is the starting pay for clergy in New Jersey?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $39,540 a year, and a quarter of clergy earn $49,570 or less.
How many clergy work in New Jersey?
About 1,460 clergy are employed in New Jersey, not counting the self-employed.