Clergy salary in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
Clergy in the San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA metro area earn a median of $77,510 a year ($37.26 an hour), based on BLS data for 330 workers.
Pay ranges from $37,860 for the lowest-paid 10% to $121,870 for the top 10%. That is 27% higher than the national median of $60,810. Pay here is about the same as the California statewide median of $77,710. There are 0.29 clergy per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.80). The average (mean) salary is $77,970, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for clergy in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $37,860 | $18.20 |
| 25th percentile | $37,860 | $18.20 |
| Median | $77,510 | $37.26 |
| 75th percentile | $97,980 | $47.11 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $121,870 | $58.59 |
| Average (mean) | $77,970 | $37.49 |
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 | $6,459.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,229.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,981.15 |
| Weekly | $1,490.58 |
| Hourly | $37.26 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $77,510 salary, see how much house you can afford in California 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $84,050 | n/a |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | $81,280 | 70 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $80,760 | 70 |
| Vallejo, CA | $79,590 | 60 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $78,330 | 450 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $77,450 | 560 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $77,050 | 110 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $76,720 | 310 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | $75,020 | 80 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $74,580 | 1,130 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | $73,770 | 90 |
| Salinas, CA | $73,770 | 60 |
| Fresno, CA | $71,130 | 280 |
| Modesto, CA | $65,360 | 90 |
| Redding, CA | $64,640 | 40 |
| Visalia, CA | $64,240 | 50 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA | $62,610 | 80 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | $61,630 | 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 California statewide figures.
Related jobs in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Directors, Religious Activities and Education | $59,010 | $28.37 |
| Religious Workers, All Other | $49,830 | $23.96 |
| Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors | $72,550 | $34.88 |
| Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors | $95,390 | $45.86 |
| Child, Family, and School Social Workers | $87,600 | $42.12 |
| Social and Human Service Assistants | $60,650 | $29.16 |
| Marriage and Family Therapists | $95,110 | $45.73 |
| Community and Social Service Specialists, All Other | $62,720 | $30.15 |
| Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers | $109,050 | $52.43 |
| Healthcare Social Worker | $107,170 | $51.52 |
| Health Education Specialist | $75,810 | $36.45 |
| Rehabilitation Counselor | $60,450 | $29.06 |
| Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists | $144,410 | $69.43 |
| Counselors, All Other | $83,930 | $40.35 |
More: Community and Social Service Occupations · all salaries in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
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 San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA?
The median salary for clergy in the San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA metro area is $77,510 a year, or $37.26 an hour. Pay ranges from $37,860 for the lowest-paid 10% to $121,870 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid clergy make in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA?
The top 10% of clergy in the San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA metro area earn at least $121,870 a year. The top 25% earn $97,980 or more.
What is the starting pay for clergy in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $37,860 a year, and a quarter of clergy earn $37,860 or less.
How many clergy work in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA?
About 330 clergy are employed in the San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA metro area, not counting the self-employed.