Clergy salary in Rhode Island
Clergy in Rhode Island earn a median of $59,660 a year ($28.68 an hour), based on BLS data for 230 workers.
Pay ranges from $34,180 for the lowest-paid 10% to $88,420 for the top 10%. That is 2% lower than the national median of $60,810. Rhode Island ranks 26th of 50 states for clergy pay. There are 0.47 clergy per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $58,750, close to the median.
Pay range for clergy in Rhode Island
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $34,180 | $16.43 |
| 25th percentile | $42,190 | $20.28 |
| Median | $59,660 | $28.68 |
| 75th percentile | $71,710 | $34.47 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $88,420 | $42.51 |
| Average (mean) | $58,750 | $28.25 |
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 | $4,971.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,485.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,294.62 |
| Weekly | $1,147.31 |
| Hourly | $28.68 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Clergy salary in cities in Rhode Island
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | $59,800 | 250 |
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 Rhode Island
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Directors, Religious Activities and Education | $44,770 | $21.53 |
| Child, Family, and School Social Workers | $69,870 | $33.59 |
| Social and Human Service Assistants | $47,720 | $22.94 |
| Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors | $65,120 | $31.31 |
| Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors | $75,000 | $36.06 |
| Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers | $60,990 | $29.32 |
| Healthcare Social Worker | $75,390 | $36.25 |
| Community Health Worker | $53,100 | $25.53 |
| Rehabilitation Counselor | $47,020 | $22.61 |
| Community and Social Service Specialists, All Other | $63,510 | $30.53 |
| Health Education Specialist | $75,360 | $36.23 |
| Social Workers, All Other | $111,590 | $53.65 |
More: Community and Social Service Occupations · all salaries in Rhode Island
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 Rhode Island?
The median salary for clergy in Rhode Island is $59,660 a year, or $28.68 an hour. Pay ranges from $34,180 for the lowest-paid 10% to $88,420 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid clergy make in Rhode Island?
The top 10% of clergy in Rhode Island earn at least $88,420 a year. The top 25% earn $71,710 or more.
What is the starting pay for clergy in Rhode Island?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $34,180 a year, and a quarter of clergy earn $42,190 or less.
How many clergy work in Rhode Island?
About 230 clergy are employed in Rhode Island, not counting the self-employed.