Clergy salary in Salem, OR
Clergy in the Salem, OR metro area earn a median of $78,220 a year ($37.61 an hour), based on BLS data for 380 workers.
Pay ranges from $37,140 for the lowest-paid 10% to $105,090 for the top 10%. That is 29% higher than the national median of $60,810. Pay here is 24% higher than the Oregon statewide median of $63,140. There are 2.0 clergy per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 5.5× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $72,290, close to the median.
Pay range for clergy in Salem, OR
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $37,140 | $17.86 |
| 25th percentile | $53,570 | $25.76 |
| Median | $78,220 | $37.61 |
| 75th percentile | $85,150 | $40.94 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $105,090 | $50.52 |
| Average (mean) | $72,290 | $34.76 |
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 | $6,518.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,259.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,008.46 |
| Weekly | $1,504.23 |
| Hourly | $37.61 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Corvallis, OR | $71,130 | 60 |
| Grants Pass, OR | $69,990 | 90 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $65,710 | 1,750 |
| Albany, OR | $62,540 | 160 |
| Medford, OR | $61,860 | 180 |
| Eugene-Springfield, OR | $60,520 | 290 |
| Bend, OR | $59,850 | 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 |
See Clergy pay in every state or the Oregon statewide figures.
Related jobs in Salem, OR
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Directors, Religious Activities and Education | $46,840 | $22.52 |
| Religious Workers, All Other | $34,540 | $16.61 |
| Social and Human Service Assistants | $57,560 | $27.67 |
| Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors | $78,870 | $37.92 |
| Child, Family, and School Social Workers | $64,700 | $31.11 |
| Social Workers, All Other | $70,320 | $33.81 |
| Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers | $68,210 | $32.79 |
| Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors | $75,510 | $36.31 |
| Rehabilitation Counselor | $56,170 | $27.01 |
| Community and Social Service Specialists, All Other | $58,190 | $27.97 |
| Healthcare Social Worker | $80,020 | $38.47 |
| Community Health Worker | $54,090 | $26.01 |
| Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists | $86,870 | $41.76 |
| Health Education Specialist | $64,270 | $30.90 |
More: Community and Social Service Occupations · all salaries in Salem, OR
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 Salem, OR?
The median salary for clergy in the Salem, OR metro area is $78,220 a year, or $37.61 an hour. Pay ranges from $37,140 for the lowest-paid 10% to $105,090 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid clergy make in Salem, OR?
The top 10% of clergy in the Salem, OR metro area earn at least $105,090 a year. The top 25% earn $85,150 or more.
What is the starting pay for clergy in Salem, OR?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $37,140 a year, and a quarter of clergy earn $53,570 or less.
How many clergy work in Salem, OR?
About 380 clergy are employed in the Salem, OR metro area, not counting the self-employed.