Clergy salary in Tennessee
Clergy in Tennessee earn a median of $57,260 a year ($27.53 an hour), based on BLS data for 710 workers.
Pay ranges from $41,600 for the lowest-paid 10% to $73,920 for the top 10%. That is 6% lower than the national median of $60,810. Tennessee ranks 39th of 50 states for clergy pay. There are 0.22 clergy per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.59). The average (mean) salary is $58,550, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for clergy in Tennessee
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $41,600 | $20.00 |
| 25th percentile | $48,930 | $23.52 |
| Median | $57,260 | $27.53 |
| 75th percentile | $63,980 | $30.76 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $73,920 | $35.54 |
| Average (mean) | $58,550 | $28.15 |
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 | $4,771.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,385.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,202.31 |
| Weekly | $1,101.15 |
| Hourly | $27.53 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Clergy salary in cities in Tennessee
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $60,720 | 220 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $59,240 | 140 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $59,040 | 70 |
| Knoxville, TN | $57,140 | 60 |
| Johnson City, TN | $53,390 | 40 |
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 Tennessee
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Directors, Religious Activities and Education | $61,940 | $29.78 |
| Religious Workers, All Other | $43,980 | $21.14 |
| Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors | $49,580 | $23.84 |
| Child, Family, and School Social Workers | $56,310 | $27.07 |
| Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors | $59,960 | $28.83 |
| Healthcare Social Worker | $61,240 | $29.44 |
| Social and Human Service Assistants | $40,310 | $19.38 |
| Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers | $46,500 | $22.36 |
| Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists | $58,010 | $27.89 |
| Community and Social Service Specialists, All Other | $53,850 | $25.89 |
| Social Workers, All Other | $51,460 | $24.74 |
| Rehabilitation Counselor | $46,060 | $22.14 |
| Marriage and Family Therapists | $46,700 | $22.45 |
| Counselors, All Other | $51,900 | $24.95 |
More: Community and Social Service Occupations · all salaries in Tennessee
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 Tennessee?
The median salary for clergy in Tennessee is $57,260 a year, or $27.53 an hour. Pay ranges from $41,600 for the lowest-paid 10% to $73,920 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid clergy make in Tennessee?
The top 10% of clergy in Tennessee earn at least $73,920 a year. The top 25% earn $63,980 or more.
What is the starting pay for clergy in Tennessee?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $41,600 a year, and a quarter of clergy earn $48,930 or less.
How many clergy work in Tennessee?
About 710 clergy are employed in Tennessee, not counting the self-employed.