Clergy salary in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
Clergy in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area earn a median of $81,750 a year ($39.30 an hour), based on BLS data for 740 workers.
Pay ranges from $44,390 for the lowest-paid 10% to $125,000 for the top 10%. That is 34% higher than the national median of $60,810. Pay here is 1% higher than the Washington statewide median of $80,830. There are 0.35 clergy per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $85,010, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for clergy in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $44,390 | $21.34 |
| 25th percentile | $74,210 | $35.68 |
| Median | $81,750 | $39.30 |
| 75th percentile | $93,850 | $45.12 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $125,000 | $60.10 |
| Average (mean) | $85,010 | $40.87 |
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 | $6,812.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,406.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,144.23 |
| Weekly | $1,572.12 |
| Hourly | $39.30 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $81,750 salary, see how much house you can afford in Washington 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Kennewick-Richland, WA | $77,420 | 30 |
| Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA | $77,030 | 60 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $65,710 | 1,750 |
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 Washington statewide figures.
Related jobs in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Religious Workers, All Other | $62,620 | $30.11 |
| Directors, Religious Activities and Education | $56,480 | $27.16 |
| Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors | $73,580 | $35.38 |
| Child, Family, and School Social Workers | $75,280 | $36.19 |
| Social and Human Service Assistants | $58,090 | $27.93 |
| Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors | $87,280 | $41.96 |
| Healthcare Social Worker | $83,550 | $40.17 |
| Rehabilitation Counselor | $58,580 | $28.16 |
| Community and Social Service Specialists, All Other | $70,630 | $33.96 |
| Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers | $78,350 | $37.67 |
| Community Health Worker | $57,980 | $27.87 |
| Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists | $85,430 | $41.07 |
| Social Workers, All Other | $105,570 | $50.76 |
| Health Education Specialist | $78,670 | $37.82 |
More: Community and Social Service Occupations · all salaries in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
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 Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA?
The median salary for clergy in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area is $81,750 a year, or $39.30 an hour. Pay ranges from $44,390 for the lowest-paid 10% to $125,000 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid clergy make in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA?
The top 10% of clergy in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area earn at least $125,000 a year. The top 25% earn $93,850 or more.
What is the starting pay for clergy in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $44,390 a year, and a quarter of clergy earn $74,210 or less.
How many clergy work in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA?
About 740 clergy are employed in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area, not counting the self-employed.