Clergy salary in Charleston-North Charleston, SC
Clergy in the Charleston-North Charleston, SC metro area earn a median of $59,570 a year ($28.64 an hour), based on BLS data for 60 workers.
Pay ranges from $42,380 for the lowest-paid 10% to $86,980 for the top 10%. That is 2% lower than the national median of $60,810. Pay here is 5% higher than the South Carolina statewide median of $56,630. There are 0.16 clergy per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.43). The average (mean) salary is $61,630, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for clergy in Charleston-North Charleston, SC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $42,380 | $20.38 |
| 25th percentile | $49,480 | $23.79 |
| Median | $59,570 | $28.64 |
| 75th percentile | $73,440 | $35.31 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $86,980 | $41.82 |
| Average (mean) | $61,630 | $29.63 |
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 | $4,964.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,482.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,291.15 |
| Weekly | $1,145.58 |
| Hourly | $28.64 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $59,570 salary, see how much house you can afford in South Carolina 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $60,760 | 360 |
| Columbia, SC | $57,990 | 90 |
| Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC | $57,430 | 70 |
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $57,160 | 80 |
| Spartanburg, SC | $56,400 | 60 |
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 South Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Charleston-North Charleston, SC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors | $62,140 | $29.88 |
| Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors | $53,260 | $25.60 |
| Child, Family, and School Social Workers | $52,310 | $25.15 |
| Social and Human Service Assistants | $43,240 | $20.79 |
| Healthcare Social Worker | $60,680 | $29.17 |
| Rehabilitation Counselor | $38,210 | $18.37 |
| Social Workers, All Other | $99,340 | $47.76 |
| Health Education Specialist | $77,740 | $37.38 |
| Community Health Worker | $50,980 | $24.51 |
| Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers | $42,060 | $20.22 |
| Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists | $56,230 | $27.03 |
| Community and Social Service Specialists, All Other | $52,890 | $25.43 |
| Marriage and Family Therapists | $57,670 | $27.73 |
More: Community and Social Service Occupations · all salaries in Charleston-North Charleston, SC
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 Charleston-North Charleston, SC?
The median salary for clergy in the Charleston-North Charleston, SC metro area is $59,570 a year, or $28.64 an hour. Pay ranges from $42,380 for the lowest-paid 10% to $86,980 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid clergy make in Charleston-North Charleston, SC?
The top 10% of clergy in the Charleston-North Charleston, SC metro area earn at least $86,980 a year. The top 25% earn $73,440 or more.
What is the starting pay for clergy in Charleston-North Charleston, SC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $42,380 a year, and a quarter of clergy earn $49,480 or less.
How many clergy work in Charleston-North Charleston, SC?
About 60 clergy are employed in the Charleston-North Charleston, SC metro area, not counting the self-employed.