Clergy salary in Wilmington, NC
Clergy in the Wilmington, NC metro area earn a median of $57,190 a year ($27.50 an hour), based on BLS data for 40 workers.
Pay ranges from $39,800 for the lowest-paid 10% to $70,570 for the top 10%. That is 6% lower than the national median of $60,810. Pay here is 4% lower than the North Carolina statewide median of $59,600. There are 0.20 clergy per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.54). The average (mean) salary is $58,010, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for clergy in Wilmington, NC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $39,800 | $19.13 |
| 25th percentile | $49,720 | $23.91 |
| Median | $57,190 | $27.50 |
| 75th percentile | $66,480 | $31.96 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $70,570 | $33.93 |
| Average (mean) | $58,010 | $27.89 |
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 | $4,765.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,382.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,199.62 |
| Weekly | $1,099.81 |
| Hourly | $27.50 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Clergy salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Winston-Salem, NC | $61,160 | 100 |
| Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | $61,030 | 120 |
| Asheville, NC | $60,790 | 70 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $60,760 | 360 |
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | $58,770 | 220 |
| Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC | $58,050 | 50 |
| Greensboro-High Point, NC | $56,970 | 100 |
| Fayetteville, NC | $55,540 | 40 |
| Greenville, NC | $55,280 | 30 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $50,330 | 240 |
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 |
See Clergy pay in every state or the North Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Wilmington, NC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Child, Family, and School Social Workers | $62,710 | $30.15 |
| Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors | $48,970 | $23.55 |
| Social and Human Service Assistants | $48,280 | $23.21 |
| Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors | $55,890 | $26.87 |
| Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers | $54,990 | $26.44 |
| Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists | $59,480 | $28.60 |
| Healthcare Social Worker | $61,290 | $29.46 |
| Rehabilitation Counselor | $45,660 | $21.95 |
| Community and Social Service Specialists, All Other | $54,620 | $26.26 |
| Health Education Specialist | $56,350 | $27.09 |
| Community Health Worker | $42,510 | $20.44 |
| Social Workers, All Other | $91,080 | $43.79 |
More: Community and Social Service Occupations · all salaries in Wilmington, NC
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 Wilmington, NC?
The median salary for clergy in the Wilmington, NC metro area is $57,190 a year, or $27.50 an hour. Pay ranges from $39,800 for the lowest-paid 10% to $70,570 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid clergy make in Wilmington, NC?
The top 10% of clergy in the Wilmington, NC metro area earn at least $70,570 a year. The top 25% earn $66,480 or more.
What is the starting pay for clergy in Wilmington, NC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $39,800 a year, and a quarter of clergy earn $49,720 or less.
How many clergy work in Wilmington, NC?
About 40 clergy are employed in the Wilmington, NC metro area, not counting the self-employed.