Clergy salary in Virginia
Clergy in Virginia earn a median of $55,430 a year ($26.65 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,220 workers.
Pay ranges from $32,710 for the lowest-paid 10% to $81,680 for the top 10%. That is 9% lower than the national median of $60,810. Virginia ranks 44th of 50 states for clergy pay. There are 0.30 clergy per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $57,350, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for clergy in Virginia
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $32,710 | $15.73 |
| 25th percentile | $40,570 | $19.51 |
| Median | $55,430 | $26.65 |
| 75th percentile | $69,690 | $33.50 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $81,680 | $39.27 |
| Average (mean) | $57,350 | $27.57 |
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 | $4,619.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,309.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,131.92 |
| Weekly | $1,065.96 |
| Hourly | $26.65 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Clergy salary in cities in Virginia
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Charlottesville, VA | $62,370 | 40 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $61,170 | 850 |
| Richmond, VA | $60,190 | 260 |
| Roanoke, VA | $53,130 | 60 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $50,330 | 240 |
| Lynchburg, VA | $43,990 | 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 Virginia
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Directors, Religious Activities and Education | $59,020 | $28.37 |
| Religious Workers, All Other | $48,210 | $23.18 |
| Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors | $59,880 | $28.79 |
| Social and Human Service Assistants | $43,450 | $20.89 |
| Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors | $67,660 | $32.53 |
| Child, Family, and School Social Workers | $61,330 | $29.49 |
| Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers | $64,240 | $30.89 |
| Healthcare Social Worker | $66,550 | $31.99 |
| Rehabilitation Counselor | $47,530 | $22.85 |
| Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists | $58,820 | $28.28 |
| Community and Social Service Specialists, All Other | $69,810 | $33.56 |
| Marriage and Family Therapists | $79,900 | $38.41 |
| Social Workers, All Other | $92,930 | $44.68 |
| Health Education Specialist | $64,040 | $30.79 |
More: Community and Social Service Occupations · all salaries in Virginia
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 Virginia?
The median salary for clergy in Virginia is $55,430 a year, or $26.65 an hour. Pay ranges from $32,710 for the lowest-paid 10% to $81,680 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid clergy make in Virginia?
The top 10% of clergy in Virginia earn at least $81,680 a year. The top 25% earn $69,690 or more.
What is the starting pay for clergy in Virginia?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $32,710 a year, and a quarter of clergy earn $40,570 or less.
How many clergy work in Virginia?
About 1,220 clergy are employed in Virginia, not counting the self-employed.