Clergy Salary in Tennessee
Clergy in Tennessee earn a median annual wage of $57,260 —5.8% below the national median of $60,810. That ranks TN #39 of 50 covered states and territories for this occupation.
Wage distribution
How earnings are spread across workers in this occupation, from the 10th to the 90th percentile.
Employment is only 0.59× as concentrated as the national average — this occupation is relatively scarce in Tennessee.
Highest-paying states for clergy
All 50 states ranked by median annual wage. Tennessee is highlighted.
| # | State | Median annual | Median hourly | Employment | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washington | $80,830 | $38.86 | 1,060 | 0.81 |
| 2 | California | $77,710 | $37.36 | 7,110 | 1.06 |
| 3 | Nevada | $73,910 | $35.53 | 210 | 0.37 |
| 4 | Massachusetts | $72,190 | $34.71 | 840 | 0.63 |
| 5 | New Jersey | $65,500 | $31.49 | 1,460 | 0.93 |
| 6 | New Hampshire | $65,200 | $31.35 | 100 | 0.39 |
| 7 | Vermont | $64,950 | $31.23 | 50 | 0.41 |
| 8 | District of Columbia | $64,800 | $31.15 | 310 | 1.21 |
| 9 | Maine | $64,340 | $30.93 | 160 | 0.68 |
| 10 | New Mexico | $64,100 | $30.82 | 270 | 0.83 |
Related occupations in Tennessee
Occupations in the same job family, compared within Tennessee.
| Occupation | Tennessee median | U.S. median |
|---|---|---|
| Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors | $49,580 | $59,350 |
| Social and Human Service Assistants | $40,310 | $45,930 |
| Child, Family, and School Social Workers | $56,310 | $59,550 |
| Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors | $59,960 | $64,330 |
| Healthcare Social Workers | $61,240 | $67,880 |
| Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers | $46,500 | $60,280 |
Frequently asked questions
How much do clergy make in Tennessee?
The median annual wage for clergy in Tennessee is $57,260, or $27.53 per hour. That is 5.8% below the national median of $60,810.
What is the entry-level clergy salary in Tennessee?
Workers at the 10th percentile earn $41,600 per year ($20.00/hour). The 25th percentile is $48,930.
How many people work as clergy in Tennessee?
About 710 people work in this occupation in Tennessee, or 0.2 per 1,000 jobs statewide.
Is Tennessee a good state for clergy?
Tennessee ranks #39 of 50 states by median wage for this occupation. Employment is only 0.59x as concentrated as the national average, so this occupation is relatively scarce in Tennessee.
Which state pays clergy the most?
Washington has the highest median wage at $80,830 per year, followed by California ($77,710) and Nevada ($73,910).