How Much Does Region Impact A Pastor's Salary?

Moving to a new church is hard. Relocating to another state or region is even harder. Aside from the logistical hurdles of picking out neighborhoods and school districts, as well as the hassle of fitting all your worldly possessions in a truck (or two), pastors also need to negotiate a salary.
You might assume that pastors are paid roughly the same across the country. Unfortunately, ChurchSalary’s 2021 Pastoral Salary Report does not support that conclusion.
Introduction
As part of ChurchSalary’s 2021 Pastoral Salary Report, we have compiled regional maps and charts which detail how salary varies across the United States for seven major pastoral positions:
- Senior/Solo Pastors
- Executive Pastors
- Associate Pastors
- Adult Pastors (Adult Ministry & Christian Education)
- Music/Worship Pastors
- Youth Pastors
- Children’s Pastors
These regional charts, available to ChurchSalary members, are ...
This content is designed to provide accurate and authoritative information in regard to the subject matter covered. It is published with the understanding that the publisher is not engaged in rendering legal, accounting, or other professional service. If legal advice or other expert assistance is required, the services of a competent professional person should be sought. "From a Declaration of Principles jointly adopted by a Committee of the American Bar Association and a Committee of Publishers and Associations."
Due to the nature of the U.S. legal system, laws and regulations constantly change. The editors encourage readers to carefully search the site for all content related to the topic of interest and consult qualified local counsel to verify the status of specific statutes, laws, regulations, and precedential court holdings.