Clergy salary in Rochester, NY
Clergy in the Rochester, NY metro area earn a median of $59,710 a year ($28.71 an hour), based on BLS data for 470 workers.
Pay ranges from $36,210 for the lowest-paid 10% to $95,540 for the top 10%. That is 2% lower than the national median of $60,810. Pay here is 2% higher than the New York statewide median of $58,580. There are 0.95 clergy per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.6× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $65,040, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for clergy in Rochester, NY
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,210 | $17.41 |
| 25th percentile | $48,200 | $23.18 |
| Median | $59,710 | $28.71 |
| 75th percentile | $75,010 | $36.06 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $95,540 | $45.93 |
| Average (mean) | $65,040 | $31.27 |
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 | $4,975.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,487.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,296.54 |
| Weekly | $1,148.27 |
| Hourly | $28.71 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Clergy salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Elmira, NY | $62,780 | 40 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $61,860 | 6,110 |
| Utica-Rome, NY | $60,460 | 100 |
| Kiryas Joel-Poughkeepsie-Newburgh, NY | $60,340 | 290 |
| Ithaca, NY | $58,750 | 40 |
| Kingston, NY | $55,380 | 60 |
| Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY | $55,070 | 600 |
| Binghamton, NY | $51,990 | 110 |
| Glens Falls, NY | $49,800 | 60 |
| Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY | $49,160 | 360 |
| Syracuse, NY | $48,770 | 280 |
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 |
See Clergy pay in every state or the New York statewide figures.
Related jobs in Rochester, NY
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Directors, Religious Activities and Education | $44,340 | $21.32 |
| Religious Workers, All Other | $47,460 | $22.82 |
| Social and Human Service Assistants | $44,800 | $21.54 |
| Child, Family, and School Social Workers | $62,030 | $29.82 |
| Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors | $60,670 | $29.17 |
| Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors | $59,620 | $28.66 |
| Healthcare Social Worker | $61,610 | $29.62 |
| Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers | $68,880 | $33.12 |
| Community and Social Service Specialists, All Other | $66,580 | $32.01 |
| Rehabilitation Counselor | $45,990 | $22.11 |
| Health Education Specialist | $59,000 | $28.36 |
| Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists | $82,010 | $39.43 |
| Community Health Worker | $52,110 | $25.05 |
| Social Workers, All Other | $81,890 | $39.37 |
More: Community and Social Service Occupations · all salaries in Rochester, NY
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 Rochester, NY?
The median salary for clergy in the Rochester, NY metro area is $59,710 a year, or $28.71 an hour. Pay ranges from $36,210 for the lowest-paid 10% to $95,540 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid clergy make in Rochester, NY?
The top 10% of clergy in the Rochester, NY metro area earn at least $95,540 a year. The top 25% earn $75,010 or more.
What is the starting pay for clergy in Rochester, NY?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $36,210 a year, and a quarter of clergy earn $48,200 or less.
How many clergy work in Rochester, NY?
About 470 clergy are employed in the Rochester, NY metro area, not counting the self-employed.