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    How Much $$$ Do You Make?

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    Senior Pastor -- $77k
    Associate Pastor -- $64k
    Music Choir Director -- $60k
    Administrator -- $53k
    Christian Education Director -- $52k
    Youth Pastor -- $50k
    Accountant -- $33k
    Custodian -- $31k
    Secretary -- $27k

    (these are rounded to the nearest thousand)

    Now, remember, these are just the AVERAGE... they include all size churches, in all parts of the country, in all denominations.  (The book DOES however, break down everything by these areas). 

    For example, Senior Pastor compensation varies widely by church size:

    0-99 -- $47k
    100-299 -- $66k
    300-499 -- $81k
    500-749 -- $94k
    750-999 -- $102k
    1000 -- $116k

    FOR DISCUSSION:  Do these stats suprise you, or do you find yourself somewhere within the right ballpark?

    Again, the book goes in to great detail (152 pages of charts, graphs, and figures).  Makes for some interesting reading if you're someone who deals with church salaries; or for a good read to pass on to your personnel committee chair!  smile  Again, you can order a copy here.  (If you order today, it will go in the mail "priority mail" in the morning!)

    Here is some of the newest information on church staff compensation averages.  According to the chart, this information includes base salary, housing or parsonage allowance, retirement contribution, life and health insurance payments, and educational funds…

    Comments

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    1. pjlr on Tue, September 06, 2005

      We use the compensation handbook religiously (pun intended).  We research a couple of other areas (denominational averages, local clergy compensation etc.) to set our compensation packages.


      This goes hand in hand with your previous post of a month ago. By using objective standards we are more likely to set fair wages.  The whole idea of a pastors personal needs make it difficult if it is factored into the equation.

      I’d recommend all senior pastors, church boards and trustees to get a copy of this handbook.  It is a bargain at $20.

       

    2. Bernie Dehler on Tue, September 06, 2005

      Todd-


      I’m glad you are making some of the info public.  Many people wonder, but are afraid to ask.  Lots of naivity floating around, when it comes to compensation.

      The wages you post look very fair and reasonable.  What’s sad and sick is the Pastors who abuse thier donors, like Pastor John Hagee who draws over $1 million in compensation from his combined ministries.


      RE: http://raydehler.com/fgn/


      It seems like the vast majority of Christians don’t know or care about how some Pastors abuse their situation.  It’s really a show of poor stewardship… and lack of teaching on the subject from the pulpit.  I guess it hits too close to home for preachers.  Thankfully there are also some great role-models, such as Focus on he Family and Coral Ridge Ministries, RE:

       

      http://www.freegoodnews.com/greed-in-church_analysis1.htm


      ...Bernie


      http://freegoodnews.blogspot.com

       

    3. bobby on Tue, September 06, 2005

      I have to admit, I was actually quite surprised by those numbers.  They were actually a bit higher than I would have expected.  I guess I always figured that I would just be poor for the rest of my life in ministry!

    4. allen on Wed, September 07, 2005

      You have got to be kidding me! If you think that all Senior Pastors get paid close to that average your out of your mind. I feel that many pastors think of themselves to highly, furthermore, have we become so dulled by the thought that we are worth that much money? We are not some buissnesman that is working for a bigger paycheck! I think that we need to refocus on the ministry and let God handel the money, this is a trap that many pastors fall into and we must not be a lover of money and not greedy (last time I checked that was part of the Biblical call of a pastor). If we are fully trusting in God and His providance for us we will not worry about how much we make nor how much is not enough. As a pastor of a church that has and avearage attendance of 85 in SS and 140 in Worship my pay of 30k is more than sufficant for the area that I am living in. Sure I would like to make more (who wouldnt) however, that is up to God not the finance committee nor the church, God will handel my finaces and my lifestyle. May Pastors remove the focus on Money and refocus on the Ministry. Just my thougtht

    5. Ray Schwartz on Wed, September 07, 2005

      I am glad this report includes some regional comparisons.  In the CA Bay Area, for example, where a ‘shack’ can go for over $700k and rentals are at a premium, compensation for pastors actually approaches and exceeds $100k - but housing eats it all up.  Looks nice on paper - but the reality is in the housing expense.

    6. Monica on Wed, September 07, 2005

      We must remember that the Pastors are not the only ones who abuse the situation.  Many church boards are inexcusable in their treatment and compensation of their staff.  They forget that their servants still need to provide for their families and be able to plan for their futures.  They think it appropriate for ministers and staff to grovel and scrape just to make ends meet.

      When churches refuse to fairly compensate their staff for the time, effort, training, education, and sweat that goes into ministry, the workforce diminishes.  Young people “eyeing” the ministry learn that you’ll be taken advantage of.  Life-long ministers give up. 


      It seems to me that an appropriate evaluation of a church staff salaries should include the LOCAL cost of living, current situation for the servant’s family (kids in college, new babies, etc) and a measure of the responsibilities on that person. 

       

      Good topic, Todd!!

       

    7. Monica on Wed, September 07, 2005

      One more thought…any comparisons out there on compensation differences between men and women in ministry? 


      I understand that research has shown women make less than men in the business world, but (without starting the whole discussion about whether or not women SHOULD be in ministry) I wonder how the salaries compare for churches.

    8. Tom Riggs on Mon, September 12, 2005

      I pastored a small church of 120 , and paid myself $1,000.00 a month , worked full time 50 hours a week and was senior pastor of our church I had to make sure we had a building and everything that goes with it so there never was much room for a salery for myself , everything else came first , so as you write these articles don’t forget all the pastors that have to work at another full time job as well .

    9. Art on Tue, September 13, 2005

      0-99 $47k?  That’s a joke, right?  My wife and I don’t make that much in a year TOGETHER!

      Churches don’t understand how poorly they mistreat their pastors in the area of financial compensation.  They will one day stand before God and give account for that.


      I would not want to be in their shoes.

       

    10. Doug on Tue, September 13, 2005

      Bobby above makes a good point. Rely on GOD and I would say most of us do or we would be like the article where a pastor used the church credit card for vacation…


      I do believe Bobby is right…pastors must trust and rely that God will provide.

      BUT - unfortunately… the power company, the water company, the mortgage broker, GEICO, the local grocer, Exxon, McDonalds, CarMax don’t feel the same way. And while they may respect us (I doubt it but humor me) for what we do… they still want the statement paid every month.


      I live in the Washington D.C. area - which has one of the highest costs of living in the country - where an “average” house goes for over $525K (a townhouse around 400K yet my church wants to pay me less than the state average (where the average houses cost around 100K).


      Bobby is right that we should trust, pray, even sacrifice for what we do… but the bible is clear also that the church should not muzzle the ox, that the elder who rules well is worth of a double honor, and the leaders should be able to serve in joy and not grief.

       

      Let me answer a question for many who are reading this. NO - I dont even own a credit card, I am not trying to over step my means.


      I doubt very seriously that most pastors are working for filthy lucer(sp?) - but only trying to survive and provide for their families.


      Lets get real folks - we serve the church but we have to pay bills in the real world.

       

    11. Nick on Tue, September 13, 2005

      Monica, I have the 2006 book and it has details of compensation for each position, based on gender.  The average seems to be that women make 80% of what men make.

    12. James Bertolini on Tue, September 13, 2005

      You mean I can get paid to do this? I work a full time job as well as pastor a church of 60 +. When the Lord is ready for me to pastor full time he will let us all know. I will use that guide when the need arrises.

    13. dlf on Tue, September 13, 2005

      Art, thanks for your response to Bobby.  You said what i would have wanted to, only you did it better.


      i, too, am surprised by the numbers quoted.  i’m in the upper  of salaries in my judicatory, and my salary’s nowhere near the ‘average’ quoted.  somehow, i don’t feel so bad receiving the anticipated increase for 2006 that my board has proffered.

    14. Pastor Nick on Tue, September 13, 2005

      Like many others who have posted here, I am somewhat surprised at the salaries. I am a bivocational pastor, a solo pastor, a senior and associate pastor…there is nobody else who is going to get it done, well except for some ladies who are dedicated to the things they feel are important. I work full time 40 hrs wk. I pastor about 25 hours a week and I am paid about $865/month. I could take a position in an affluent church where I could hire an associate, a youth leader and a secretary, but I don’t do it for the money. I do it because this is what God has called me to do!

    15. Duane on Tue, September 13, 2005

      I do not make nearly what the average is. As a senior Pastor I only make half of the average and half of that is housing. It would be nice, but many of the small churches cannot afford to that. But they should also look at it that they can’t afford not to. I need the extra income, with anew baby on the way. I know that God will provide. he is always faithful. Thanks for opening my eyes Todd.

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