Clergy salary in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA
Clergy in the Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA metro area earn a median of $81,280 a year ($39.08 an hour), based on BLS data for 70 workers.
Pay ranges from $42,740 for the lowest-paid 10% to $106,400 for the top 10%. That is 34% higher than the national median of $60,810. Pay here is 5% higher than the California statewide median of $77,710. There are 0.34 clergy per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $79,270, close to the median.
Pay range for clergy in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $42,740 | $20.55 |
| 25th percentile | $60,620 | $29.14 |
| Median | $81,280 | $39.08 |
| 75th percentile | $91,940 | $44.20 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $106,400 | $51.15 |
| Average (mean) | $79,270 | $38.11 |
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 | $6,773.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,386.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,126.15 |
| Weekly | $1,563.08 |
| Hourly | $39.08 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $81,280 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 Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $80,760 | 70 |
| Vallejo, CA | $79,590 | 60 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $78,330 | 450 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $77,510 | 330 |
| 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 Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors | $63,010 | $30.29 |
| Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors | $86,500 | $41.59 |
| Social and Human Service Assistants | $55,160 | $26.52 |
| Child, Family, and School Social Workers | $57,710 | $27.75 |
| Rehabilitation Counselor | $43,410 | $20.87 |
| Marriage and Family Therapists | $85,450 | $41.08 |
| Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers | $81,240 | $39.06 |
| Community and Social Service Specialists, All Other | $56,770 | $27.30 |
| Healthcare Social Worker | $93,200 | $44.81 |
| Counselors, All Other | $61,620 | $29.62 |
| Health Education Specialist | $65,000 | $31.25 |
| Community Health Worker | $52,000 | $25.00 |
| Social Workers, All Other | $67,140 | $32.28 |
More: Community and Social Service Occupations · all salaries in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, 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 Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA?
The median salary for clergy in the Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA metro area is $81,280 a year, or $39.08 an hour. Pay ranges from $42,740 for the lowest-paid 10% to $106,400 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid clergy make in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA?
The top 10% of clergy in the Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA metro area earn at least $106,400 a year. The top 25% earn $91,940 or more.
What is the starting pay for clergy in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $42,740 a year, and a quarter of clergy earn $60,620 or less.
How many clergy work in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA?
About 70 clergy are employed in the Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA metro area, not counting the self-employed.