Clergy salary in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN
Clergy in the Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN metro area earn a median of $60,720 a year ($29.19 an hour), based on BLS data for 220 workers.
Pay ranges from $37,760 for the lowest-paid 10% to $79,680 for the top 10%. That is about the same as the national median of $60,810. Pay here is 6% higher than the Tennessee statewide median of $57,260. 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 $61,050, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for clergy in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $37,760 | $18.15 |
| 25th percentile | $50,470 | $24.27 |
| Median | $60,720 | $29.19 |
| 75th percentile | $65,890 | $31.68 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $79,680 | $38.31 |
| Average (mean) | $61,050 | $29.35 |
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 | $5,060 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,530 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,335.38 |
| Weekly | $1,167.69 |
| Hourly | $29.19 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $60,720 salary, see how much house you can afford in Tennessee 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $59,240 | 140 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $59,040 | 70 |
| Knoxville, TN | $57,140 | 60 |
| Johnson City, TN | $53,390 | 40 |
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 Tennessee statewide figures.
Related jobs in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Directors, Religious Activities and Education | $64,340 | $30.93 |
| Religious Workers, All Other | $45,290 | $21.77 |
| Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors | $50,810 | $24.43 |
| Child, Family, and School Social Workers | $55,630 | $26.74 |
| Healthcare Social Worker | $65,040 | $31.27 |
| Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors | $60,550 | $29.11 |
| Social and Human Service Assistants | $43,860 | $21.09 |
| Community and Social Service Specialists, All Other | $54,250 | $26.08 |
| Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers | $48,630 | $23.38 |
| Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists | $58,010 | $27.89 |
| Social Workers, All Other | $58,780 | $28.26 |
| Marriage and Family Therapists | $47,650 | $22.91 |
| Rehabilitation Counselor | $46,490 | $22.35 |
| Counselors, All Other | $45,870 | $22.05 |
More: Community and Social Service Occupations · all salaries in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN
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 Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN?
The median salary for clergy in the Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN metro area is $60,720 a year, or $29.19 an hour. Pay ranges from $37,760 for the lowest-paid 10% to $79,680 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid clergy make in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN?
The top 10% of clergy in the Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN metro area earn at least $79,680 a year. The top 25% earn $65,890 or more.
What is the starting pay for clergy in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $37,760 a year, and a quarter of clergy earn $50,470 or less.
How many clergy work in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN?
About 220 clergy are employed in the Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN metro area, not counting the self-employed.