Clergy salary in West Virginia
Clergy in West Virginia earn a median of $48,460 a year ($23.30 an hour), based on BLS data for 290 workers.
Pay ranges from $36,600 for the lowest-paid 10% to $63,770 for the top 10%. That is 20% lower than the national median of $60,810. West Virginia ranks 50th of 50 states for clergy pay. There are 0.41 clergy per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $51,130, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for clergy in West Virginia
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,600 | $17.60 |
| 25th percentile | $37,390 | $17.97 |
| Median | $48,460 | $23.30 |
| 75th percentile | $58,970 | $28.35 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $63,770 | $30.66 |
| Average (mean) | $51,130 | $24.58 |
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 | $4,038.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,019.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,863.85 |
| Weekly | $931.92 |
| Hourly | $23.30 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Clergy salary in cities in West Virginia
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Hagerstown-Martinsburg, MD-WV | $67,640 | 30 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $61,170 | 850 |
| Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH | $59,000 | 60 |
| Morgantown, WV | $57,810 | 30 |
| Charleston, WV | $50,520 | 50 |
| Wheeling, WV-OH | $37,390 | n/a |
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 West Virginia
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Social and Human Service Assistants | $39,290 | $18.89 |
| Child, Family, and School Social Workers | $52,220 | $25.11 |
| Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors | $49,430 | $23.76 |
| Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors | $55,520 | $26.69 |
| Healthcare Social Worker | $60,140 | $28.92 |
| Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists | $53,120 | $25.54 |
| Social Workers, All Other | $62,590 | $30.09 |
| Community and Social Service Specialists, All Other | $41,060 | $19.74 |
| Rehabilitation Counselor | $48,050 | $23.10 |
| Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers | $50,070 | $24.07 |
| Health Education Specialist | $62,760 | $30.17 |
| Community Health Worker | $37,950 | $18.25 |
| Counselors, All Other | $44,810 | $21.55 |
| Marriage and Family Therapists | $55,700 | $26.78 |
More: Community and Social Service Occupations · all salaries in West 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 West Virginia?
The median salary for clergy in West Virginia is $48,460 a year, or $23.30 an hour. Pay ranges from $36,600 for the lowest-paid 10% to $63,770 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid clergy make in West Virginia?
The top 10% of clergy in West Virginia earn at least $63,770 a year. The top 25% earn $58,970 or more.
What is the starting pay for clergy in West Virginia?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $36,600 a year, and a quarter of clergy earn $37,390 or less.
How many clergy work in West Virginia?
About 290 clergy are employed in West Virginia, not counting the self-employed.