How Much Does a Youth Pastor Make? Salary by State
Median annual salary (U.S.)
$52,100
Youth pastors in the U.S. earn a median of $52,100 a year, or $25.05 an hour. Half of youth pastors earn more than $52,100 and half earn less. The top 10% make more than $98,310.
Pay percentiles for youth pastors
| Percentile | Hourly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $16.67 | $34,670 |
| 25th | $21.16 | $44,010 |
| 50th (median) | $25.05 | $52,100 |
| 75th | $35.45 | $73,730 |
| 90th | $47.26 | $98,310 |
U.S. wages, May 2025. BLS occupation: Directors, Religious Activities and Education (SOC 21-2021). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
Highest-paying states for youth pastors
| State | Median annual | Median hourly | vs. U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $79,310 | $38.13 | +52% |
| Texas | $75,420 | $36.26 | +45% |
| Georgia | $72,910 | $35.05 | +40% |
| Nebraska | $72,500 | $34.86 | +39% |
| Colorado | $67,760 | $32.58 | +30% |
| Iowa | $66,140 | $31.80 | +27% |
| New Jersey | $65,730 | $31.60 | +26% |
| North Carolina | $63,280 | $30.42 | +21% |
| Massachusetts | $62,930 | $30.25 | +21% |
| Nevada | $62,460 | $30.03 | +20% |
| United States | $52,100 | $25.05 | — |
Top 10 states by median annual wage, May 2025. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
How many youth pastors are there?
BLS counts about 22,160 youth pastors employed in the U.S. (May 2025, excluding the self-employed). These figures cover the BLS occupation “Directors, Religious Activities and Education”. The most jobs are in New York (3,550), California (3,200) and Oregon (1,860).
The mean (average) annual wage is $62,100, higher than the median of $52,100.
Hourly to annual pay calculator
Per year
- Monthly
- $4,342
- Biweekly
- $2,004
- Weekly
- $1,002
- Daily (8 hours)
- $200
- Hours per year
- 2,080
BLS annual figure; hourly × 2,080 may differ slightly.
Frequently asked questions
How much do youth pastors make an hour?
The median hourly wage for youth pastors is $25.05. The middle 50% earn between $21.16 and $35.45 an hour.
Which state pays youth pastors the most?
Alabama has the highest median wage for youth pastors at $79,310, +52% vs. the U.S. median.
What is the starting salary for youth pastors?
BLS does not report pay by experience, but the lowest-paid 10% of youth pastors earn less than $34,670 a year, a common proxy for entry-level pay.