Clergy salary in Washington
Clergy in Washington earn a median of $80,830 a year ($38.86 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,060 workers.
Pay ranges from $45,630 for the lowest-paid 10% to $108,200 for the top 10%. That is 33% higher than the national median of $60,810. Washington ranks 1st of 50 states for clergy pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.30 clergy per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $81,460, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for clergy in Washington
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $45,630 | $21.94 |
| 25th percentile | $68,890 | $33.12 |
| Median | $80,830 | $38.86 |
| 75th percentile | $91,410 | $43.95 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $108,200 | $52.02 |
| Average (mean) | $81,460 | $39.16 |
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 | $6,735.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,367.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,108.85 |
| Weekly | $1,554.42 |
| Hourly | $38.86 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Clergy salary in cities in Washington
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $81,750 | 740 |
| Kennewick-Richland, WA | $77,420 | 30 |
| Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA | $77,030 | 60 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $65,710 | 1,750 |
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 Washington
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Religious Workers, All Other | $62,620 | $30.11 |
| Directors, Religious Activities and Education | $56,480 | $27.16 |
| Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors | $68,910 | $33.13 |
| Child, Family, and School Social Workers | $74,480 | $35.81 |
| Social and Human Service Assistants | $54,770 | $26.33 |
| Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors | $82,670 | $39.74 |
| Rehabilitation Counselor | $58,050 | $27.91 |
| Healthcare Social Worker | $78,570 | $37.77 |
| Community and Social Service Specialists, All Other | $64,340 | $30.94 |
| Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers | $70,460 | $33.88 |
| Community Health Worker | $57,070 | $27.44 |
| Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists | $82,750 | $39.79 |
| Health Education Specialist | $77,420 | $37.22 |
| Social Workers, All Other | $102,520 | $49.29 |
More: Community and Social Service Occupations · all salaries in Washington
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 Washington?
The median salary for clergy in Washington is $80,830 a year, or $38.86 an hour. Pay ranges from $45,630 for the lowest-paid 10% to $108,200 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid clergy make in Washington?
The top 10% of clergy in Washington earn at least $108,200 a year. The top 25% earn $91,410 or more.
What is the starting pay for clergy in Washington?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $45,630 a year, and a quarter of clergy earn $68,890 or less.
How many clergy work in Washington?
About 1,060 clergy are employed in Washington, not counting the self-employed.