Clergy salary in Wisconsin
Clergy in Wisconsin earn a median of $60,950 a year ($29.30 an hour), based on BLS data for 770 workers.
Pay ranges from $47,320 for the lowest-paid 10% to $80,770 for the top 10%. That is about the same as the national median of $60,810. Wisconsin ranks 21st of 50 states for clergy pay. There are 0.26 clergy per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.71). The average (mean) salary is $63,730, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for clergy in Wisconsin
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $47,320 | $22.75 |
| 25th percentile | $56,170 | $27.00 |
| Median | $60,950 | $29.30 |
| 75th percentile | $72,510 | $34.86 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $80,770 | $38.83 |
| Average (mean) | $63,730 | $30.64 |
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 | $5,079.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,539.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,344.23 |
| Weekly | $1,172.12 |
| Hourly | $29.30 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Clergy salary in cities in Wisconsin
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $64,060 | 770 |
| Green Bay, WI | $61,820 | 70 |
| Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI | $61,730 | 290 |
| Madison, WI | $60,900 | 100 |
| La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN | $56,420 | 40 |
| Duluth, MN-WI | $53,770 | 80 |
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 Wisconsin
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Directors, Religious Activities and Education | $40,180 | $19.32 |
| Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors | $62,220 | $29.91 |
| Social and Human Service Assistants | $47,500 | $22.84 |
| Child, Family, and School Social Workers | $59,280 | $28.50 |
| Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors | $62,690 | $30.14 |
| Healthcare Social Worker | $66,910 | $32.17 |
| Rehabilitation Counselor | $46,530 | $22.37 |
| Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers | $61,860 | $29.74 |
| Social Workers, All Other | $62,830 | $30.21 |
| Health Education Specialist | $74,040 | $35.60 |
| Community and Social Service Specialists, All Other | $55,220 | $26.55 |
| Community Health Worker | $51,210 | $24.62 |
| Counselors, All Other | $71,390 | $34.32 |
| Marriage and Family Therapists | $37,870 | $18.21 |
More: Community and Social Service Occupations · all salaries in Wisconsin
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 Wisconsin?
The median salary for clergy in Wisconsin is $60,950 a year, or $29.30 an hour. Pay ranges from $47,320 for the lowest-paid 10% to $80,770 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid clergy make in Wisconsin?
The top 10% of clergy in Wisconsin earn at least $80,770 a year. The top 25% earn $72,510 or more.
What is the starting pay for clergy in Wisconsin?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $47,320 a year, and a quarter of clergy earn $56,170 or less.
How many clergy work in Wisconsin?
About 770 clergy are employed in Wisconsin, not counting the self-employed.