Clergy salary in South Carolina
Clergy in South Carolina earn a median of $56,630 a year ($27.23 an hour), based on BLS data for 450 workers.
Pay ranges from $42,110 for the lowest-paid 10% to $79,950 for the top 10%. That is 7% lower than the national median of $60,810. South Carolina ranks 41st of 50 states for clergy pay. There are 0.20 clergy per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.53). The average (mean) salary is $58,590, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for clergy in South Carolina
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $42,110 | $20.24 |
| 25th percentile | $49,820 | $23.95 |
| Median | $56,630 | $27.23 |
| 75th percentile | $62,500 | $30.05 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $79,950 | $38.44 |
| Average (mean) | $58,590 | $28.17 |
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 | $4,719.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,359.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,178.08 |
| Weekly | $1,089.04 |
| Hourly | $27.23 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Clergy salary in cities in South Carolina
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $60,760 | 360 |
| Charleston-North Charleston, SC | $59,570 | 60 |
| Columbia, SC | $57,990 | 90 |
| Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC | $57,430 | 70 |
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $57,160 | 80 |
| Spartanburg, SC | $56,400 | 60 |
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 South Carolina
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Directors, Religious Activities and Education | $36,120 | $17.37 |
| Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors | $60,340 | $29.01 |
| Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors | $52,370 | $25.18 |
| Child, Family, and School Social Workers | $51,800 | $24.90 |
| Social and Human Service Assistants | $38,550 | $18.54 |
| Healthcare Social Worker | $60,840 | $29.25 |
| Rehabilitation Counselor | $35,990 | $17.31 |
| Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers | $39,930 | $19.20 |
| Community Health Worker | $47,970 | $23.06 |
| Health Education Specialist | $64,720 | $31.11 |
| Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists | $56,780 | $27.30 |
| Social Workers, All Other | $96,350 | $46.32 |
| Marriage and Family Therapists | $55,430 | $26.65 |
| Community and Social Service Specialists, All Other | $51,880 | $24.94 |
More: Community and Social Service Occupations · all salaries in South 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 South Carolina?
The median salary for clergy in South Carolina is $56,630 a year, or $27.23 an hour. Pay ranges from $42,110 for the lowest-paid 10% to $79,950 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid clergy make in South Carolina?
The top 10% of clergy in South Carolina earn at least $79,950 a year. The top 25% earn $62,500 or more.
What is the starting pay for clergy in South Carolina?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $42,110 a year, and a quarter of clergy earn $49,820 or less.
How many clergy work in South Carolina?
About 450 clergy are employed in South Carolina, not counting the self-employed.