A recent national survey of pastors and church staff reveals a 1.7 percent pay increase on average for all 8,000 positions reported on since the same survey was completed in 2009. Two years ago though, the compensation survey showed pay and benefits declined an average of 1.4 percent. Although small, this year’s uptick in pay actually represents a bigger overall improvement for church workers.
This bi-annual survey, conducted and compiled by Christianity Today International, is based on a staff member’s total compensation package, including: salary, housing allowance/parsonage, retirement, life insurance, health insurance, disability insurance, and continuing education allowances.
Senior pastors report salary and benefits at an average $82,938 this year, up 2.7 percent from the $80,745 average reported in The 2010-2011 Compensation Handbook for Church Staff. Benefits vary significantly from one position to the next. The number of church staff receiving health insurance varies from 44 percent to 71 percent, depending on position. A similar gap is seen among those who report receiving retirement benefits (41 percent to 67 percent). Part-time staff members receive fewer fringe benefits, with one notable change this year: most part-time positions saw an increase in the percentage of those who receive paid vacation.
Men are compensated 28 percent more than their female counterparts across all paid church positions, and those who serve as full-time adult ministry pastors and executive pastors earn approximately 55 percent and 50 percent more than women, respectively.
The complete salary and benefits analysis includes breakdowns based on church denomination, income budget, size, and geographical setting. To pre-order a copy of The 2012-2013 Compensation Handbook for Church Staff for October delivery, call 1-800-222-1840 or visit YourChurchResources.com.
