Occupation is in demand.
Wages vary by area of the country and the worker's level of experience. The denomination, size, and wealth of the congregation also affect wages. For some clergy, their pay equals the average wage of the congregation or the community. Thus, those who serve larger, wealthier congregations may earn higher wages. Clergy who have low salaries often earn extra income from jobs outside the church. Some clergy earn extra income from gifts or fees for leading religious ceremonies.
Diocesan priests get living allowances, health insurance, and a retirement plan. If they teach or do extra work, they get a partial salary. Priests take a vow of poverty and give any personal earnings to the order. Due to the vow of poverty, these priests do not have to pay federal income tax.
| Location |
Pay Period | |
||
| 25% |
Median |
75% |
||
| Illinois | Hourly | $18.26 | $25.29 | $30.79 |
| Yearly | $37,966 | $52,598 | $64,048 | |
| Champaign Area | Hourly | $18.14 | $25.20 | $27.89 |
| Yearly | $37,738 | $52,428 | $58,016 | |
| Charleston-Effingham-Centralia Area | Hourly | $17.68 | $25.29 | $27.76 |
| Yearly | $36,779 | $52,605 | $57,726 | |
| Cook County | Hourly | $18.71 | $27.24 | $31.50 |
| Yearly | $38,923 | $56,659 | $65,515 | |
| Dekalb-Elgin-Aurora Area | Hourly | $19.94 | $27.06 | $32.07 |
| Yearly | $41,478 | $56,298 | $66,689 | |
| Edwardsville Area | Hourly | $16.65 | $25.99 | $28.53 |
| Yearly | $34,616 | $54,069 | $59,336 | |
| Jacksonville-Carlinville-Litchfield Area | Hourly | $15.74 | $25.30 | $27.76 |
| Yearly | $32,745 | $52,606 | $57,725 | |
| Kankakee-Morris-Pontiac Area | Hourly | $19.17 | $25.52 | $33.14 |
| Yearly | $39,883 | $53,087 | $68,932 | |
| Lake County | Hourly | $17.04 | $22.88 | $30.01 |
| Yearly | $35,445 | $47,577 | $62,418 | |
| Mt. Vernon-Marion-Carbondale Area | Hourly | $17.04 | $24.13 | $28.07 |
| Yearly | $35,435 | $50,194 | $58,382 | |
| Northwest Illinois Area | Hourly | $17.24 | $24.42 | $28.96 |
| Yearly | $35,861 | $50,794 | $60,230 | |
| Peoria-Bloomington Area | Hourly | $17.66 | $22.90 | $27.88 |
| Yearly | $36,742 | $47,634 | $57,996 | |
| Quincy-Macomb-Galesburg Area | Hourly | $22.86 | $25.30 | $29.92 |
| Yearly | $47,542 | $52,606 | $62,233 | |
| Rock Island-Moline Area | Hourly | $18.04 | $22.25 | $30.23 |
| Yearly | $37,520 | $46,293 | $62,871 | |
| Rockford Area | Hourly | $19.49 | $28.34 | $30.22 |
| Yearly | $40,546 | $58,935 | $62,858 | |
| Shawnee National Forest Area | Hourly | $16.31 | $25.29 | $31.77 |
| Yearly | $33,933 | $52,601 | $66,075 | |
| Springfield Area | Hourly | $15.93 | $24.97 | $30.67 |
| Yearly | $33,139 | $51,956 | $63,793 | |
| St. Louis-Belleville Area | Hourly | $18.16 | $22.92 | $28.96 |
| Yearly | $37,773 | $47,663 | $60,241 | |
| Vermilion County | Hourly | $25.10 | $31.49 | $47.13 |
| Yearly | $52,208 | $65,483 | $98,040 | |
| Will County | Hourly | $18.33 | $24.85 | $31.97 |
| Yearly | $38,117 | $51,690 | $66,511 | |
| United States | Hourly | $19.73 | $26.71 | $32.78 |
| Yearly | $41,040 | $55,550 | $68,180 | |