Clergy Salary in California
Clergys in California make a median of $77,850 a year, or about $37.43 an hour. The range runs from $43K at the entry level to $136K for experienced workers.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $78K get you in California?
About clergys
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, California
Entry-level clergys (10th percentile) start around $43K. Mid-career wages sit at $78K.Top earners bring in $136K or more - a $93K spread from bottom to top.
Clergy pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | $78K | +28% | 6,390 |
| Washington | $78K | +27% | 800 |
| Nevada | $70K | +15% | 260 |
| Massachusetts | $68K | +12% | 830 |
| Vermont | $67K | +10% | 40 |
| New Hampshire | $67K | +10% | 100 |
| Georgia | $66K | +8% | 1,280 |
| Minnesota | $65K | +7% | 960 |
| Connecticut | $65K | +7% | 830 |
| District of Columbia | $65K | +7% | 300 |
| Hawaii | $64K | +5% | 590 |
| Wyoming | $64K | +5% | 30 |
| New Jersey | $64K | +4% | 1,230 |
| Oregon | $63K | +4% | 4,340 |
| Maine | $63K | +4% | 120 |
Track clergy salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when California numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do clergys make in California?
The median is $77,850 a year - that works out to about $37.43 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $43,080, and experienced clergys can clear $136,030. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $78K enough to live in California?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $4,981/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom in this state rents for about $2,201/month (median of metro areas), which eats 44.2% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb - housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a clergy salary go in California?
California has a Regional Price Parity of 100 (100 is the national average). That's right at the national average. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median clergy salary is worth about $77,850 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do clergys get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.