Clergy salary in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
Clergy in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area earn a median of $61,170 a year ($29.41 an hour), based on BLS data for 850 workers.
Pay ranges from $37,800 for the lowest-paid 10% to $100,830 for the top 10%. That is 1% higher than the national median of $60,810. Pay here is 6% lower than the District of Columbia statewide median of $64,800. There are 0.27 clergy per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.73). The average (mean) salary is $67,080, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for clergy in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $37,800 | $18.17 |
| 25th percentile | $48,010 | $23.08 |
| Median | $61,170 | $29.41 |
| 75th percentile | $79,220 | $38.09 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $100,830 | $48.48 |
| Average (mean) | $67,080 | $32.25 |
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 | $5,097.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,548.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,352.69 |
| Weekly | $1,176.35 |
| Hourly | $29.41 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $61,170 salary, see how much house you can afford in District of Columbia 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Hagerstown-Martinsburg, MD-WV | $67,640 | 30 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $63,430 | 950 |
| Charlottesville, VA | $62,370 | 40 |
| Richmond, VA | $60,190 | 260 |
| Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD | $59,700 | 410 |
| Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH | $59,000 | 60 |
| Morgantown, WV | $57,810 | 30 |
| Roanoke, VA | $53,130 | 60 |
| Charleston, WV | $50,520 | 50 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $50,330 | 240 |
| Lynchburg, VA | $43,990 | 40 |
| Wheeling, WV-OH | $37,390 | n/a |
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 District of Columbia statewide figures.
Related jobs in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Directors, Religious Activities and Education | $60,650 | $29.16 |
| Religious Workers, All Other | $41,410 | $19.91 |
| Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors | $65,270 | $31.38 |
| Social and Human Service Assistants | $48,370 | $23.26 |
| Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors | $77,420 | $37.22 |
| Child, Family, and School Social Workers | $75,550 | $36.32 |
| Rehabilitation Counselor | $48,290 | $23.22 |
| Healthcare Social Worker | $80,710 | $38.81 |
| Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers | $78,210 | $37.60 |
| Health Education Specialist | $124,590 | $59.90 |
| Community and Social Service Specialists, All Other | $58,440 | $28.10 |
| Community Health Worker | $58,790 | $28.27 |
| Social Workers, All Other | $93,220 | $44.82 |
| Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists | $73,610 | $35.39 |
More: Community and Social Service Occupations · all salaries in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
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 Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?
The median salary for clergy in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area is $61,170 a year, or $29.41 an hour. Pay ranges from $37,800 for the lowest-paid 10% to $100,830 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid clergy make in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?
The top 10% of clergy in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area earn at least $100,830 a year. The top 25% earn $79,220 or more.
What is the starting pay for clergy in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $37,800 a year, and a quarter of clergy earn $48,010 or less.
How many clergy work in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?
About 850 clergy are employed in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area, not counting the self-employed.