Clergy Salary in Tennessee
Clergies in Tennessee make a median of $51,580 a year, or about $24.8 an hour. The range runs from $30K at the entry level to $74K for experienced workers.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Tennessee. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $52K get you in Tennessee?
About clergies
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Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Tennessee
Entry-level clergies (10th percentile) start around $30K. Mid-career wages sit at $52K. Top earners bring in $74K or more, a $44K spread from bottom to top.
Clergy salary by metro in Tennessee
5 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin | $57K | +11% | 280 |
| Chattanooga | $56K | +9% | 80 |
| Johnson City | $52K | +1% | 30 |
| Memphis | $52K | +1% | 130 |
| Knoxville | $50K | -3% | 90 |
Compare to other states
Track clergy salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Tennessee numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do clergies make in Tennessee?
The median is $51,580 a year, that works out to about $25 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $29,630, and experienced clergies can clear $74,000. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $52K enough to live in Tennessee?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $3,624/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,215/month, which eats 33.5% 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 Tennessee?
Tennessee 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 $57,452 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do clergies 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.