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How much do pastors/priests/rabbi make annually? (1 Viewer)

comfortably numb

comfortably numb

Footballguy
I was talking to my friend who called me asking for me to keep him in his prayers last night.
He was bit by a squirrel and was at the hospital prepping for rabies shots and he was deathly afraid it might not cure him and that he could die.

We got to talking about pastors because he was pissed that his pastor was not returning his texts/calls as he tried reaching out to him for support.

He makes the comment, "Pastor gets paid 6 figures and can't call me back?"

I said, "6 figures? There is no way your pastor is getting paid 6 figures."
He assures me he does but I just can't fathom it. It's a small baptist church.
I can see Joel Osteen and those likes making CEO pay, but a small local church?
I just always assumed something small like 30K-50K :shrug:

Am I really off or was the squirrel bite getting to my friend?
 

ETA: Church is in NJ
ETA: My friend survived  :rolleyes:

 
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Jesuit priests take a vow of poverty, or at least they did back in the 60's which was the last time I was in touch with the Catholic church. They make next to nothing, but they do have the fringe benefit of all the alter boys they can commune with.

Baptist preachers always seem well dressed and always have on an expensive watch, or so it seems to me.

 
Joel Osteen and his ilk... millionaires.

Local church pastor.. not so much.  How much depends on the size of the church and how much money it brings in.  

 
My longtime temple pays mid six figures plus a ton of bennies.  This for a small and shrinking congregation (which is mostly the rabbis fault mind you, I am not at all a fan but I just deal to make family peace. My mothers the freakin temple president)

I bet larger congregations on LI have 250+ full compensation packages. 

 
Koya said:
My longtime temple pays mid six figures plus a ton of bennies.  This for a small and shrinking congregation (which is mostly the rabbis fault mind you, I am not at all a fan but I just deal to make family peace. My mothers the freakin temple president)

I bet larger congregations on LI have 250+ full compensation packages. 
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You have got to be chtting me?!?!

 
All depends on the denomination, size of congregation, where in the country it is, etc.

Ideally, a congregation is able to support a pastor at the average level of income in the area.

My brother is a Methodist pastor in rural Ohio and makes about $25,000 and is provided with housing (which is free for him but counted as income for tax purposes). I attend a CMA church in NJ and we pay our pastor a compensation package that includes salary and health insurance totalling around $80k a year (which is probably a bit low for our area).

 
This girl I use to mess around with's father was a pastor (maybe still is, haven't boned her in years).  She joked once that her and her dad had the same salary (~70k) but he lived in a house and drove a car paid for by the church.

It was a mostly white, Christian non denominational church in NJ  (if that matters).

 
Yeah, it depends on several things....including how shady the church and pastor are. I remember seeing the books for a local church back in NJ and the pastor had a Mercedes Benz lease for about $700/month being paid through the church.

 
Seriously though, I can't speak for other religions, but as Koya said, rabbis can easily make well into the six figures, at least in the NYC area. Compensation for many rabbis, however, has come down in many synagogues, as attendance and accompanying dues inflows, have been in a secular decline. Not unlike any for-profit business. 

 
So salary is paid for only via donations of that specific congregation?
Or say in the case of priests, does any money come in from bigger places like an archdiocese or the vatican to help compensate or strictly on what that particular church brings in?

 
comfortably numb said:
So salary is paid for only via donations of that specific congregation?
Or say in the case of priests, does any money come in from bigger places like an archdiocese or the vatican to help compensate or strictly on what that particular church brings in?
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That all depends on the religion/denomination.

In some it's all on the local congregation. In others, larger congregations/churches help subsidize smaller churches through the larger denominational structure.

 
comfortably numb said:
So salary is paid for only via donations of that specific congregation?
Or say in the case of priests, does any money come in from bigger places like an archdiocese or the vatican to help compensate or strictly on what that particular church brings in?
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At my church (a United Methodist congregation), the pastor's salary is an ordinary budget item.  It's not directly tied to the amount of money coming into the church, although obviously if the church falls short, that affects its ability to pay its bills.  In the event of a shortfall, I think churches are more likely to reduce or skip their annual payments to back to the denomination than to forgo paying an agreed-upon salary, but I'm not sure how universal that practice is.  

 
According to the National Federation of Priest Councils, the median base salary for priests in the U.S. Catholic church is an estimated $23,000 to $26,000 but rises to $39,000 of taxable income when the additional privileges of priesthood are included, such as housing, food, mass stipends, and auto allowances.

 
It's kind of like asking, what does a CEO make?  Well, you mean the CEO of the bakery around the corner, basically the guy that owns it?  Or the CEO of Microsoft.  The range is ridiculous in size and depends upon the type of church, size or church, and area.

The Joel Olsteen, Creflo Dollars of the world are a very small minority.  I believe even the 6 figure guys are in the very small minority.

I can't speak to rabbis and priests.  The only rabbi/priest I pay any attention to died about 2k years ago, I don't think he made much as a carpenter before going into the ministry, but once he went full time be basically made enough to keep himself fed and clothed and not much else, of course his treasurer was stealing from him.  

I've been a member of 4 churches in the last 20 years.

1st church was a plant that started at 14 people in southern california (my wife and I were members 15 and 16).  At its height we had probably 125 people coming.  Pastor worked the entire time and barely took anyting from the church until we grew to churches height.  At that point he tried going part time at work. Not sure of exact figure. I would be shocked if he took more than 20-30k / yr.

2nd church was a larger established church in central NJ.  Probably in the 150 per Sunday range and great to about the 400-500 per Sunday range.  Pastor was full time.  He had a small modest house, drove mostly used cars, eventually bought a new car.  I don't know what he made but no way it was 6 figures.  Total guess but I would say somewhere in the 60k range.  I discussed going on staff w/ the church and we spoke about salary a little bit.  I think we were looking in the low range of 40k in an asst. pastor type role.  I ended up not doing this, but it wasn't a financial decision.

3rd church was a plant.  An asst pastor and his family and my family went to NW jersey to start a church.  Not only did he make no salary he actually left a job making a huge salary at a financial software development company in NY.  Sold his house, moved up there, and then as economy tanked had a hard time finding work.  For about 2 years he was stocking shelves during 3rd shift at a grocery store for probably $10/hr.  Quite a jump down from senior project manager easily making well into 6 figures.  They struggled financially and he eventually moved into real estate because of the flexibility. I would say it took them 3-4 years to recover.  The church didn't make it but he joined another church in the area, eventually becoming an un-paid assistant pastor.  He just planted a new church and it seems to be going a lot better.  Great guy, paid a real cost to do what he felt God led him to do.  He  made it through and is still going, still making no money I'm sure.

Current church was a plant a few years ago in NC. Church has grown to probably 25 families, maybe 70 people.  Our pastor is up front with his salary.  We have an annual church meeting where it's part of the financial report showing every cent the church spends. Our yearly budget isn't 6 figures.  He is full time pastor but with salary, housing, and car/phone allowances he makes a bit over $30k.  His wife works and has a job providing medical for the family.  They have just enough to get by.  As church grows his salary will grow but never more than an average church member would make in this area.  

I've been an elder at 3 of these churches, and more than that in the NJ plant but we were too small for any kind of title or position.  I've known all these guys and every one of them is in it for spiritual reasons, not financial ones.  Nobody was rich or looking to get rich, it was actually just the opposite.  All four of these pastors had careers or jobs before ministry that provided them a more comfortable and secure quality of life.  I'm sure there are guys who go into the ministry to make a buck but the Bible is pretty clear about how God feels about that and they'll have a bill due at the end of that meal.

Barna says that the average protestant church size in America is 89 members, 60% of churches have less than 100 members and only 2% have over a thousand.  I think the churches I've been a part of are pretty typical of average protestant, non-denom churches in the US.  For every Rick Warren (who gives 90% of his book sales away) there are a thousand guys just scraping by.  I'm sure the denominational, main line pastors make a bit more.  I just don't have experience with those churches so I can't say.  

 
comfortably numb said:
Am I really off or was the squirrel bite getting to my friend?
Click to expand...
You: There he is! Your friend: Where? You: There! Your friend: What? Behind the squirrel? You: It *is* the squirrel! Your friend: You silly sod! You: What? Your friend:: You got us all worked up! You: Well, that's no ordinary squirrel. Your friend:: Ohh. You: That's the most foul, cruel, and bad-tempered rodent you ever set eyes on! Your friend: You ###! I soiled my armor I was so scared! You: Look, that squirrel's got a vicious streak a mile wide! It's a killer! Your friend: Get stuffed! You: He'll do you up a treat, mate. Your friend:: Oh, yeah? You: I'm warning you! Your friend: What's he do? Nibble your bum? You: He's got huge, sharp... er... He can leap about. Look at the bones! Your friend:: Right! Silly little bleeder. One squirrel stew comin' right up! 

 
Something else that I always thought was interesting.  I have a friend who's a rabbi.  I think they do very well.

Anyway, they asked me one time if I thought they should be paying social security taxes.  I asked what they meant.  Apparently rabbis (and I would assume other religious leader type people) have the ability to opt out of paying into social security - for religious reasons.  They told me they don't have a religious objection to it, more of a financial one where (as they are in their early 30s currently) don't see getting back what they will end up putting in.

 
Pastor Hagee's kids drove a new imported sports super car every year in High School.

In the 90's I recall his salary (just the reported part) being north of $1 million.

 
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Our local Lutheran Pastor makes $35,000 a year, but has his healthcare paid for, his pension, and he is provided a very nice house to live in. 

 
GroveDiesel said:
The pay must not be worth it for most of them as 35-40% leave the ministry within 5 years. 60-80% leave within 10.
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I wonder what these numbers represent.
Do they leave the faith all together or just get tired of doing it. 
IDK, kinda weird as I am sure all who do it would say they feel they are called by God to do it. I suppose they can say God has called them to be a mechanic now or something?

 
Steve Tasker said:
lombardi said:
I can't speak to rabbis and priests.  The only rabbi/priest I pay any attention to died about 2k years ago, I don't think he made much as a carpenter before going into the ministry, but once he went full time be basically made enough to keep himself fed and clothed and not much else, of course his treasurer was stealing from him. 
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http://i.imgur.com/GmEjiCv.gif
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GmEjiCv.gif


 
3 Lutheran pastors in my family.  2 retired.

All have beautiful homes in the Seattle area, continued pension/benefits.  No idea what salary was/is.. but they lived better than their Anesthesioligist sibling.

 
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comfortably numb said:
I wonder what these numbers represent.
Do they leave the faith all together or just get tired of doing it. 
IDK, kinda weird as I am sure all who do it would say they feel they are called by God to do it. I suppose they can say God has called them to be a mechanic now or something?
Click to expand...
Moral Failure: This is too often the cause for pastors leaving the ministry. Lying, slothfulness, adultery, and coveting tend to lead the list. Nothing is more devastating to the Kingdom or the local church. A pastor’s sin has the potential of touching and affecting a myriad of lives. One fall and an entire church or even an entire community can be discouraged from Christ.          Encouragement:  Don’t be busy about Kingdom work and forget Kingdom life. Rise early to pray (Mark 1:35). Refuse to turn in for bed on Saturday night until you are affected with the sermon you will preach Sunday morning. Allow others the freedom to confront you! Your own personal holiness, by God’s grace and according to the work of the Spirit, must be your greatest pursuit. Know and believe what Robert Murray Mc’Cheyne said, “My people’s greatest need is my own personal holiness.”  Without a holy pastor they will be like “sheep without a shepherd.” As William Still said, “It is the godly character which is the real pastor, or is the basis of him.”

link

 
comfortably numb said:
I wonder what these numbers represent.
Do they leave the faith all together or just get tired of doing it. 
IDK, kinda weird as I am sure all who do it would say they feel they are called by God to do it. I suppose they can say God has called them to be a mechanic now or something?
Click to expand...
Lots of reasons involved. For most, the root issue is that it is an incredibly stressful and depressing occupation and they don't have very good support structures or personal disciplines in place to help deal with and manage that.

Here's an article with all sorts of depressing statistics involving pastors: http://www.intothyword.org/apps/articles/?articleid=36562

 
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IvanKaramazov said:
At my church (a United Methodist congregation), the pastor's salary is an ordinary budget item.  
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This is what I've seen at the churches I've been a part of (Methodist, Southern Baptist and Independent Baptist).  Salary is part of the annual budget.  And there is usually a monetary gift, or bonus, at the end of the year for the pastor.  

 
GroveDiesel said:
Lots of reasons involved. For most, the root issue is that it is an incredibly stressful and depressing occupation and they don't have very good support structures or personal disciplines in place to help deal with and manage that.

Here's an article with all sorts of depressing statistics involving pastors: http://www.intothyword.org/apps/articles/?articleid=36562
Click to expand...
Sounds like they are exactly like the general non-pastor population.

 
matttyl said:
Something else that I always thought was interesting.  I have a friend who's a rabbi.  I think they do very well.

Anyway, they asked me one time if I thought they should be paying social security taxes.  I asked what they meant.  Apparently rabbis (and I would assume other religious leader type people) have the ability to opt out of paying into social security - for religious reasons.  They told me they don't have a religious objection to it, more of a financial one where (as they are in their early 30s currently) don't see getting back what they will end up putting in.
Click to expand...
A couple posts up, I posted the IRS Publication for ministers re: social security.  Lots of good info in there on this topic.

 
comfortably numb said:
I was talking to my friend who called me asking for me to keep him in his prayers last night.
He was bit by a squirrel and was at the hospital prepping for rabies shots and he was deathly afraid it might not cure him and that he could die.

We got to talking about pastors because he was pissed that his pastor was not returning his texts/calls as he tried reaching out to him for support.

He makes the comment, "Pastor gets paid 6 figures and can't call me back?"

I said, "6 figures? There is no way your pastor is getting paid 6 figures."
He assures me he does but I just can't fathom it. It's a small baptist church.
I can see Joel Osteen and those likes making CEO pay, but a small local church?
I just always assumed something small like 30K-50K :shrug:

Am I really off or was the squirrel bite getting to my friend?
 

ETA: Church is in NJ
ETA: My friend survived  :rolleyes:
Click to expand...


Hey Numb, I know this wasn't the point of your post, but did your buddy consider his pastor might be dealing with some other emergency?  At the deathbed of another parishioner?  In a local police station sitting with a parishioner whose son was being accused of abuse or worse?  Or in another ER with his son who fell on the concrete and split his head open to the skull?  Those are all things my pastor has been doing when he couldn't answer phone calls from people in the church.  He's just one guy.  

 
comfortably numb said:
I wonder what these numbers represent.
Do they leave the faith all together or just get tired of doing it. 
IDK, kinda weird as I am sure all who do it would say they feel they are called by God to do it. I suppose they can say God has called them to be a mechanic now or something?
Click to expand...
High rate of suicide, depression, burnout due to constantly hearing everyone's problems/tragedies.  How often does someone call the clergy and want to talk about how everything is going so well in their life.   Then you have someone call and want to talk to you about some dang squirrel bite.

 
facook said:
Hey Numb, I know this wasn't the point of your post, but did your buddy consider his pastor might be dealing with some other emergency?  At the deathbed of another parishioner?  In a local police station sitting with a parishioner whose son was being accused of abuse or worse?  Or in another ER with his son who fell on the concrete and split his head open to the skull?  Those are all things my pastor has been doing when he couldn't answer phone calls from people in the church.  He's just one guy.  
Click to expand...


Yep, 100% agree and told him as much.
he is just a bit extreme in his reactions.

 
Chaka said:
Sounds like they are exactly like the general non-pastor population.
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Uhhh...no.

Probably the only thing I've seen comparable would be teaching.  Most people stay within their chosen fields throughout their lives.  There are exceptions, but the % of pastors leaving their field completely is much higher than the average job.

 
Phil Elliott said:
High rate of suicide, depression, burnout due to constantly hearing everyone's problems/tragedies.  How often does someone call the clergy and want to talk about how everything is going so well in their life.   Then you have someone call and want to talk to you about some dang squirrel bite.
Click to expand...
eh...not sure i buy that one too much. Psychiatrists would be jumping out of buildings every 3 hours then and they get paid a lot less it appears.

 
One day I was in traffic in Tampa and saw a sign with a husband & wife black pastor. I decided to Google their names while in traffic.  I end up seeing their address is in Avila.  The same neighborhood Tong Dungy, Jon Gruden, Pasada, Vince Namoli, Sapp, Pinella, Bilzerian, etc. have all lived in.  

 
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Jayrod said:
Uhhh...no.

Probably the only thing I've seen comparable would be teaching.  Most people stay within their chosen fields throughout their lives.  There are exceptions, but the % of pastors leaving their field completely is much higher than the average job.
Click to expand...
I can see the moral angle though.
You get a divorce, in some circles you HAVE to  lose your job. A school teacher gets a divorce and they bring in a cake.

 
comfortably numb said:
I wonder what these numbers represent.
Do they leave the faith all together or just get tired of doing it. 
IDK, kinda weird as I am sure all who do it would say they feel they are called by God to do it. I suppose they can say God has called them to be a mechanic now or something?
Click to expand...
Frustration over getting texted at all hours of the night over fears of squirrels.

 
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