Clergy salary in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH
Clergy in the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro area earn a median of $73,160 a year ($35.17 an hour), based on BLS data for 620 workers.
Pay ranges from $52,000 for the lowest-paid 10% to $99,070 for the top 10%. That is 20% higher than the national median of $60,810. Pay here is 1% higher than the Massachusetts statewide median of $72,190. There are 0.23 clergy per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.62). The average (mean) salary is $74,500, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for clergy in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $52,000 | $25.00 |
| 25th percentile | $62,210 | $29.91 |
| Median | $73,160 | $35.17 |
| 75th percentile | $78,530 | $37.75 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $99,070 | $47.63 |
| Average (mean) | $74,500 | $35.82 |
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 | $6,096.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,048.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,813.85 |
| Weekly | $1,406.92 |
| Hourly | $35.17 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $73,160 salary, see how much house you can afford in Massachusetts at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Clergy salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Worcester, MA | $72,300 | 100 |
| Springfield, MA | $69,900 | 50 |
| Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | $59,800 | 250 |
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 Massachusetts statewide figures.
Related jobs in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Directors, Religious Activities and Education | $68,040 | $32.71 |
| Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors | $62,130 | $29.87 |
| Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors | $80,760 | $38.83 |
| Child, Family, and School Social Workers | $77,420 | $37.22 |
| Social and Human Service Assistants | $47,530 | $22.85 |
| Healthcare Social Worker | $78,410 | $37.70 |
| Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers | $63,830 | $30.69 |
| Rehabilitation Counselor | $47,440 | $22.81 |
| Community Health Worker | $56,920 | $27.37 |
| Health Education Specialist | $62,260 | $29.93 |
| Community and Social Service Specialists, All Other | $59,890 | $28.79 |
| Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists | $98,100 | $47.16 |
| Marriage and Family Therapists | $69,830 | $33.57 |
| Social Workers, All Other | $98,320 | $47.27 |
More: Community and Social Service Occupations · all salaries in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH
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 Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH?
The median salary for clergy in the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro area is $73,160 a year, or $35.17 an hour. Pay ranges from $52,000 for the lowest-paid 10% to $99,070 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid clergy make in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH?
The top 10% of clergy in the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro area earn at least $99,070 a year. The top 25% earn $78,530 or more.
What is the starting pay for clergy in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $52,000 a year, and a quarter of clergy earn $62,210 or less.
How many clergy work in Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH?
About 620 clergy are employed in the Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro area, not counting the self-employed.