Clergy salary in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC
Clergy in the Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC metro area earn a median of $50,330 a year ($24.20 an hour), based on BLS data for 240 workers.
Pay ranges from $30,110 for the lowest-paid 10% to $79,460 for the top 10%. That is 17% lower than the national median of $60,810. Pay here is 9% lower than the Virginia statewide median of $55,430. There are 0.31 clergy per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $54,360, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for clergy in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $30,110 | $14.48 |
| 25th percentile | $37,270 | $17.92 |
| Median | $50,330 | $24.20 |
| 75th percentile | $69,080 | $33.21 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $79,460 | $38.20 |
| Average (mean) | $54,360 | $26.14 |
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 | $4,194.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,097.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,935.77 |
| Weekly | $967.88 |
| Hourly | $24.20 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $50,330 salary, see how much house you can afford in Virginia 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Charlottesville, VA | $62,370 | 40 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $61,170 | 850 |
| Winston-Salem, NC | $61,160 | 100 |
| Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | $61,030 | 120 |
| Asheville, NC | $60,790 | 70 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $60,760 | 360 |
| Richmond, VA | $60,190 | 260 |
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | $58,770 | 220 |
| Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC | $58,050 | 50 |
| Wilmington, NC | $57,190 | 40 |
| Greensboro-High Point, NC | $56,970 | 100 |
| Fayetteville, NC | $55,540 | 40 |
| Greenville, NC | $55,280 | 30 |
| Roanoke, VA | $53,130 | 60 |
| Lynchburg, VA | $43,990 | 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 Virginia statewide figures.
Related jobs in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Directors, Religious Activities and Education | $63,490 | $30.53 |
| Religious Workers, All Other | $48,830 | $23.47 |
| Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors | $59,280 | $28.50 |
| Child, Family, and School Social Workers | $62,360 | $29.98 |
| Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors | $69,840 | $33.58 |
| Social and Human Service Assistants | $39,160 | $18.83 |
| Healthcare Social Worker | $63,880 | $30.71 |
| Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists | $58,830 | $28.28 |
| Rehabilitation Counselor | $45,040 | $21.66 |
| Marriage and Family Therapists | $81,870 | $39.36 |
| Social Workers, All Other | $94,220 | $45.30 |
| Community and Social Service Specialists, All Other | $63,330 | $30.45 |
| Health Education Specialist | $51,980 | $24.99 |
| Counselors, All Other | $60,010 | $28.85 |
More: Community and Social Service Occupations · all salaries in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC
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 Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC?
The median salary for clergy in the Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC metro area is $50,330 a year, or $24.20 an hour. Pay ranges from $30,110 for the lowest-paid 10% to $79,460 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid clergy make in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC?
The top 10% of clergy in the Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC metro area earn at least $79,460 a year. The top 25% earn $69,080 or more.
What is the starting pay for clergy in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $30,110 a year, and a quarter of clergy earn $37,270 or less.
How many clergy work in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC?
About 240 clergy are employed in the Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC metro area, not counting the self-employed.