Clergy salary in North Carolina
Clergy in North Carolina earn a median of $59,600 a year ($28.65 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,430 workers.
Pay ranges from $39,880 for the lowest-paid 10% to $82,350 for the top 10%. That is 2% lower than the national median of $60,810. North Carolina ranks 27th of 50 states for clergy pay. There are 0.29 clergy per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.79). The average (mean) salary is $61,130, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for clergy in North Carolina
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $39,880 | $19.17 |
| 25th percentile | $49,350 | $23.73 |
| Median | $59,600 | $28.65 |
| 75th percentile | $66,910 | $32.17 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $82,350 | $39.59 |
| Average (mean) | $61,130 | $29.39 |
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 | $4,966.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,483.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,292.31 |
| Weekly | $1,146.15 |
| Hourly | $28.65 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Clergy salary in cities in North Carolina
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Winston-Salem, NC | $61,160 | 100 |
| Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | $61,030 | 120 |
| Asheville, NC | $60,790 | 70 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $60,760 | 360 |
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | $58,770 | 220 |
| Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC | $58,050 | 50 |
| Wilmington, NC | $57,190 | 40 |
| Greensboro-High Point, NC | $56,970 | 100 |
| Fayetteville, NC | $55,540 | 40 |
| Greenville, NC | $55,280 | 30 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $50,330 | 240 |
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 North Carolina
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Directors, Religious Activities and Education | $63,280 | $30.42 |
| Child, Family, and School Social Workers | $59,610 | $28.66 |
| Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors | $55,490 | $26.68 |
| Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors | $57,630 | $27.71 |
| Social and Human Service Assistants | $42,850 | $20.60 |
| Healthcare Social Worker | $63,280 | $30.42 |
| Rehabilitation Counselor | $45,890 | $22.06 |
| Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers | $58,210 | $27.98 |
| Community and Social Service Specialists, All Other | $54,820 | $26.36 |
| Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists | $62,220 | $29.91 |
| Health Education Specialist | $58,080 | $27.92 |
| Community Health Worker | $47,560 | $22.87 |
| Social Workers, All Other | $63,490 | $30.52 |
| Marriage and Family Therapists | $48,100 | $23.13 |
More: Community and Social Service Occupations · all salaries in North Carolina
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 North Carolina?
The median salary for clergy in North Carolina is $59,600 a year, or $28.65 an hour. Pay ranges from $39,880 for the lowest-paid 10% to $82,350 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid clergy make in North Carolina?
The top 10% of clergy in North Carolina earn at least $82,350 a year. The top 25% earn $66,910 or more.
What is the starting pay for clergy in North Carolina?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $39,880 a year, and a quarter of clergy earn $49,350 or less.
How many clergy work in North Carolina?
About 1,430 clergy are employed in North Carolina, not counting the self-employed.