Clergy salary in District of Columbia
Clergy in District of Columbia earn a median of $64,800 a year ($31.15 an hour), based on BLS data for 310 workers.
Pay ranges from $40,600 for the lowest-paid 10% to $99,270 for the top 10%. That is 7% higher than the national median of $60,810. District of Columbia ranks 8th of 50 states for clergy pay. There are 0.45 clergy per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.2× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $71,770, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for clergy in District of Columbia
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $40,600 | $19.52 |
| 25th percentile | $52,690 | $25.33 |
| Median | $64,800 | $31.15 |
| 75th percentile | $93,880 | $45.14 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $99,270 | $47.73 |
| Average (mean) | $71,770 | $34.51 |
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 | $5,400 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,700 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,492.31 |
| Weekly | $1,246.15 |
| Hourly | $31.15 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $64,800 salary, see how much house you can afford in District of Columbia at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Clergy salary in cities in District of Columbia
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $61,170 | 850 |
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 District of Columbia
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Directors, Religious Activities and Education | $61,870 | $29.74 |
| Religious Workers, All Other | $47,430 | $22.80 |
| Child, Family, and School Social Workers | $73,550 | $35.36 |
| Social and Human Service Assistants | $59,460 | $28.59 |
| Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors | $80,470 | $38.69 |
| Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors | $60,450 | $29.06 |
| Health Education Specialist | $103,330 | $49.68 |
| Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers | $73,310 | $35.25 |
| Community and Social Service Specialists, All Other | $69,130 | $33.24 |
| Healthcare Social Worker | $94,100 | $45.24 |
| Social Workers, All Other | $96,380 | $46.34 |
| Community Health Worker | $62,510 | $30.05 |
| Counselors, All Other | $93,720 | $45.06 |
| Rehabilitation Counselor | $49,680 | $23.89 |
More: Community and Social Service Occupations · all salaries in District of Columbia
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 District of Columbia?
The median salary for clergy in District of Columbia is $64,800 a year, or $31.15 an hour. Pay ranges from $40,600 for the lowest-paid 10% to $99,270 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid clergy make in District of Columbia?
The top 10% of clergy in District of Columbia earn at least $99,270 a year. The top 25% earn $93,880 or more.
What is the starting pay for clergy in District of Columbia?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $40,600 a year, and a quarter of clergy earn $52,690 or less.
How many clergy work in District of Columbia?
About 310 clergy are employed in District of Columbia, not counting the self-employed.