2018 ministers’...2018 ministers’ salary survey | siburt institute for church ministry page 1...

2018 Ministers’

Salary Survey

An annual nationwide survey

reporting minister compensation

among Churches of Christ

Published May 2018 by the

Siburt Institute for Church Ministry

acu.edu/siburt

http://www.acu.edu/siburt

2018 Ministers’ Salary Survey | Siburt Institute for Church Ministry

Table of Contents

Introduction and Overall Summary

2018 Ministers’ Salary Survey Introduction ................................................................. 1

Overall Survey Summary ................................................................................................ 2

Reports by Ministry Type

Administrative/Executive Ministers .............................................................................. 6

Associate Ministers ........................................................................................................... 9

Campus Ministers ........................................................................................................... 12

Children’s Ministers ....................................................................................................... 15

Counseling Ministers ..................................................................................................... 18

Education Ministers ....................................................................................................... 19

Family Ministers ............................................................................................................. 22

Involvement Ministers ................................................................................................... 25

Outreach/Evangelism Ministers ................................................................................... 28

Preaching Ministers ........................................................................................................ 31

Worship Ministers .......................................................................................................... 34

Youth Ministers ............................................................................................................... 37

Other (International) ...................................................................................................... 40

Related Material

Additional Resources from the Siburt Institute for Church Ministry .................... 43

2018 Ministers’ Salary Survey | Siburt Institute for Church Ministry Page 1

2018 Ministers’ Salary Survey Introduction

Guide to Interpretation of the Report and Terms

The next few pages provide overall data about ministers’ demographics, salaries, benefits, and

allowances, as well as demographics for the churches represented in the survey. Following the

summary, the report includes details on specific ministry types, illuminating overall trends and

relevant granular details.

Key Terms

As a guide, this report presents averages and percentages.

The designation n/a is used when a category had insufficient data or no information.

N indicates number of people.

Allowance means the annual dollar amount of church-paid items such as housing,

books, travel to meetings, local mileage, and cell phone.

Benefits is the annual dollar amount the church pays for health, dental, and retirement.

Master’s indicates all master’s degrees other than the Master of Divinity (MDiv).

Details about the Survey Itself

This national survey was conducted January 20-April 2, 2018, and reports 2018 salaries, benefits,

allowances, and other data for ministers in Churches of Christ. Throughout the report, some

categories show n/a where responses are missing or are too low to be statistically valid. The

final survey size of 243 resulted in a margin of error + 6.4% which means any percentage results

could be higher or lower by this percentage. In compiling the data for each allowance and

benefit, the study includes only the respondents who stated they receive that allowance or

benefit; it does not include those who indicated “0” or did not answer the question. Also, since

there were few part-time ministers responding, the data presented under each ministry

category represent only full-time ministers. Finally, when ministry categories are cross-tabulated

by variables of church size, ministry experience, and education, some of the ministry categories

have only one or no respondents in a sub-category, thus indicated by n/a.


Overall Survey Summary

Survey Demographics:

Overview of Groupings and Categories in the Survey

Location and Church

Location:

o Northeast (ME, VT, MA, NH, NY, NJ, CT, PA, RI) = 3.7%

o Midwest (IL, IN, MI, OH, WI, IA, KS, MN, MO, NE, ND, SD) = 9.5%

o South (DE, DC, MD, VA, WV, NC, SC, GA, FL, MS, AL, TN,

KY, AR, LA, OK, TX) = 72.4%

o West (AZ, CO, ID, MT, NV, NM, UT, WY, AK, CA, HI,

OR, WA) = 13.2%

o Other (International) = 1.2%

Church Size: Average weekly attendance = 401

o <150 = 33.3%

o 150-399 = 29.6%

o 400-749 = 22.6%

o 750+ = 14.4%

Church Financials:

o Average weekly contribution = $15,077

o Average annual budget = $790,431

Ministers in the Sample

Employment Status:

o Full-time = 89.7%

o Part-time, 34 hours or less = 10.3%

Ministry Type:

o Administrative/Executive = 4.1%

o Associate = 4.5%

o Campus = 1.6%

o Children’s = 11.5%

o Counseling = 0.4%

o Education = 1.6%

o Family = 2.1%

o Involvement = 1.6%

o Outreach/Evangelism = 2.5%

o Preaching = 53.9%

o Worship = 1.6%

o Youth = 9.9%

o Other (International) = 4.5%

Experience (Total Years in Ministry):

o 1-5 years = 13.6%

o 6-10 years = 20.6%


o 11-15 years = 15.2%

o 16-20 years = 10.3%

o 21-25 years = 4.5%

o 25+ years = 35.8%

Age:

o 18-25 = 3.7%

o 26-34 = 24.7%

o 35-44 = 24.3%

o 34-54 = 15.6%

o 55-64 = 22.2%

o 65+ = 9.5%

Gender:

o Female = 17.3%

o Male = 82.7%

Marital Status:

o Married = 93.4%

o Not married = 6.6%

Education (Highest Level of Education Completed):

o High school/GED = 1.6%

o Preaching school = 2.1%

o Bachelor’s = 31.3%

o Master’s (other than MDiv) = 32.1%

o MDiv (Master of Divinity) = 16.5%

o DMin (Doctor of Ministry) = 11.1%

o Other doctoral (e.g., PhD/EdD/JD/MD) = 5.3%

Social Security:

o In Social Security = 65.8%

o Have opted out of Social Security = 34.2%


Overall Salary, Church Size, Experience by Ministry Type (Full-Time)

Ministry Type Average

Salary

Average

Church Size

Average

Total Years

in Ministry

Administrative/Executive $77,214 687 22

Associate $58,795 1,094 8

Campus $35,667 347 12

Children’s $48,484 443 8

Counseling n/a n/a n/a

Education $49,402 605 21

Family $45,775 188 11

Involvement $63,125 635 17

Outreach/Evangelism $48,900 552 23

Preaching $65,085 251 23

Worship $58,402 345 17

Youth $53,632 563 10

Other (International) $51,883 658 26

Average of All $60,266 416 18


Overall Salary, Church Size, and Experience by Region (Full-Time)

Region Average

Salary

Average

Church Size

Average

Total Years

in Ministry

Northeast $64,587 90 13

Midwest $55,742 392 14

South $62,280 485 14

West $51,431 171 21

Other (International) $59,500 122 17

Average of All $60,266 416 18


Overall 2018 Salary Compared with 2017 (Full-Time)

Decreased = 1.4%

Remained the same = 50.0%

Increased = 48.6%

Overall Allowances and Benefits Information (Full-Time)

2018 Allowances and Benefits

Refers to the annual amount that the church pays for specific allowances and benefits among

those reporting they receive these features. Note: an average of 55% of full-time respondents do

not receive these benefits and allowances.

Allowances and Benefits Average of Those

With This Benefit

Percentage Without

This Benefit

Allowance: Books $909 39%

Allowance: Housing $19,646 64%

Allowance: Mileage $1,491 65%

Allowance: Conference travel $1,540 23%

Allowance: Cell phone $836 57%

Health insurance from church $9,017 59%

Dental insurance from church $2,344 85%

Retirement benefit from church $3,676 57%

Formal Leave Allowed in 2018

Average days of leave per year among those who report a leave allowance.

Extra study/retreat = 2 days

Speak at other churches = 5 days

Personal, family sick = 7 days

Conferences/lectureships = 6 days

Vacation = 16 days


Administrative/Executive Ministers

Demographics, Allowances, Benefits* Average* Percentage

Without

Salary $77,214

Total years in ministry 24 years

Church size 687

Age 60




Allowance: Travel $1,556 0%



Dental insurance from church $466 63%


Percentage in Social Security 50%

Salary increased in 2018 compared with 2017 37%

Percentage employed full-time 80%

*Benefit data reported are from full-time respondents.

40%

20%

16%

15%

10%

Weekly Time Usage: Administrative/Executive Ministers

Administrative Communicating/Meeting Study/Preparation Counseling Visitation


Education by Salary: Administrative/Executive Ministers

Highest Level of

Education Completed

Average

Salary

High School n/a

Preaching School n/a

Bachelor’s $77,750

Master’s $76,033

MDiv n/a

DMin n/a

Other Doctoral n/a


Church Size by Salary: Administrative/Executive Ministers

Church Size Average

Salary

<150 n/a

150-399 n/a

400-749 $90,033

750+ $77,000


49%

38%

13%

Education: Administrative/Executive Ministers

Bachelor's Master's MDiv


Ministry Experience by Salary: Administrative/Executive Ministers

Total Years in Ministry Average

Salary

1-5 years n/a

6-10 years n/a

11-15 years n/a

16-20 years n/a

21-25 years n/a

25+ years $78,102



Associate Ministers

Demographics, Allowances, Benefits* Average* Percentage

Without

Salary $58,795

Total years in ministry 18

Church size 1,094

Age 41



Allowance: Mileage $650 80%










30%

23%

22%

13%

11%

Weekly Time Usage: Associate Ministers



Education by Salary: Associate Ministers

Highest Level of

Education Completed

Average

Salary

High School n/a



Master’s $60,000

MDiv $65,000

DMin n/a

Other Doctoral n/a


Church Size by Salary: Associate Ministers

Church Size Average

Salary

<150 $47,500

150-399 $53,000

400-749 $73,317

750+ $55,667

40%

30%

30%

Education: Associate Ministers



Ministry Experience by Salary: Associate Ministers


Salary

1-5 years n/a

6-10 years $62,250

11-15 years $52,650

16-20 years n/a

21-25 years n/a

25+ years $73,000



Campus Ministers

Demographics, Allowances, Benefits* Average Percentage

Without

Salary $35,667


Church size 347

Age 30


Allowance: Housing n/a

Allowance: Mileage n/a



Health insurance from church n/a

Dental insurance from church n/a





*Benefit data reported are from full-time respondents; n/a means a category had insufficient or no data.

13%

36%

26%

16%

10%

Weekly Time Usage: Campus Ministers



Education by Salary: Campus Ministers

Highest Level of

Education Completed

Average

Salary

High School n/a


Bachelor’s n/a

Master’s $35,000

MDiv n/a

DMin n/a

Other Doctoral n/a


Church Size by Salary: Campus Ministers

Church Size Average

Salary

<150 n/a

150-399 n/a

400-749 $30,500

750+ n/a


67%

33%

Education: Campus Ministers

Master's Doctoral


Ministry Experience by Salary: Campus Ministers


Salary

1-5 years n/a

6-10 years $30,500

11-15 years n/a

16-20 years n/a

21-25 years n/a

25+ years n/a



Children’s Ministers


Without

Salary $48,484


Church size 558

Age 39













32%

24%

22%

10%

11%

Weekly Time Usage: Children's Ministers



Education by Salary: Children’s Ministers

Highest Level of

Education Completed

Average

Salary

High School n/a



Master’s $47,786

MDiv n/a

DMin n/a

Other Doctoral n/a


Church Size by Salary: Children’s Ministers

Church Size Average

Salary

<150 n/a

150-399 $41,000

400-749 $46,273

750+ $59,443


4%

64%

28%

4%

Education: Children's Ministers

High School Bachelor's Master's Doctoral


Experience by Salary: Children’s Ministers


Salary

1-5 years $43,042

6-10 years $48,229

11-15 years $57,750

16-20 years $63,500

21-25 years n/a

26+ years n/a



Counseling Ministers

Demographics, Allowances, Benefits Average Percentage

Without

Insufficient data response to calculate any

categories


Education Ministers


Without

Salary $49,402


Church size 222

Age 59




Allowance: Travel $800 25%

Allowance: Cell phone n/a



Retirement benefit from church n/a





27%

22%30%

10%

12%

Weekly Time Usage: Education Ministers



Education by Salary: Education Ministers

Highest Level of

Education Completed

Average

Salary

High School n/a


Bachelor’s n/a

Master’s n/a

MDiv $70,500

DMin n/a

Other Doctoral n/a


Church Size by Salary: Education Ministers

Church Size Average

Salary

<150 n/a

150-399 $28,304

400-749 $70,500

750+ n/a


25%

50%

25%

Education: Education Ministers

Master's MDiv DMin


Ministry Experience by Salary: Education Ministers


Salary

1-5 years n/a

6-10 years n/a

11-15 years n/a

16-20 years n/a

21-25 years n/a

25+ years $46,536



Family Ministers


Without

Salary $45,775


Church size 188

Age 35





Allowance: Cell phone n/a








20%

32%

27%

10%

17%

Weekly Time Usage: Family Ministers



Education by Salary: Family Ministers

Highest Level of

Education Completed

Average

Salary

High School n/a


Bachelor’s n/a

Master’s $45,500

MDiv n/a

DMin n/a

Other Doctoral n/a


Church Size by Salary: Family Ministers

Church Size Average

Salary

<150 $39,000

150-399 $52,500

400-749 n/a

750+ n/a


25%

50%

25%

Education: Family Ministers



Ministry Experience by Salary: Family Ministers


Salary

1-5 years n/a

6-10 years n/a

11-15 years n/a

16-20 years n/a

21-25 years n/a

25+ years n/a



Involvement Ministers


Without

Salary $63,125


Church size 635

Age 45





Allowance: Cell phone $1,200 50%








30%

32%

17%

18%

10%

Weekly Time Usage: Involvement Ministers



Education by Salary: Involvement Ministers

Highest Level of

Education Completed

Average

Salary

High School n/a



Master’s $56,750

MDiv n/a

DMin n/a

Other Doctoral n/a


Church Size by Salary: Involvement Ministers

Church Size Average

Salary

<150 n/a

150-399 n/a

400-749 $54,167

750+ n/a


50%50%

Education: Involvement Ministers

Bachelor's Master's


Ministry Experience by Salary: Involvement Ministers


Salary

1-5 years n/a

6-10 years n/a

11-15 years n/a

16-20 years $85,750

21-25 years n/a

25+ years n/a



Outreach/Evangelism Ministers


Without

Salary $48,900


Church size 552

Age 53













22%

24%

18%

16%

26%

Weekly Time Usage: Outreach/Evangelism Ministers



Education by Salary: Outreach/Evangelism Ministers

Highest Level of

Education Completed

Average

Salary

High School n/a


Bachelor’s n/a

Master’s $48,300

MDiv n/a

DMin n/a

Other Doctoral n/a


Church Size by Salary: Outreach/Evangelism Ministers

Church Size Average

Salary

<150 n/a

150-399 $32,500

400-749 n/a

750+ $54,750


60%20%

20%

Education: Outreach/Evangelism Ministers

Master's MDiv DMin


Ministry Experience by Salary: Outreach/Evangelism Ministers


Salary

1-5 years n/a

6-10 years n/a

11-15 years n/a

16-20 years n/a

21-25 years $50,000

25+ years n/a



Preaching Ministers


Without

Salary $65,085


Church size 251

Age 43

Allowance: Books $1,083 44%












18%

28%

32%

11%

14%

Weekly Time Usage: Preaching Ministers



Education by Salary: Preaching Ministers

Highest Level of

Education Completed

Average

Salary

High School $53,200

Preaching School $67,650


Master’s $63,169

MDiv $64,259

DMin $76,670

Other Doctoral $65,269

Church Size by Salary: Preaching Ministers

Church Size Average

Salary

<150 $52,924

150-399 $67,602

400-749 $86,110

750+ $103,692

1%

5%

24%

30%

16%

20%

5%

Education: Preaching Ministers

High School Preaching School Bachelor's Master's MDiv DMin Other Doctoral


Ministry Experience by Salary: Preaching Ministers


Salary

1-5 years $53,133

6-10 years $56,031

11-15 years $59,430

16-20 years $73,525

21-25 years $72,775

25+ years $67,323


Worship Ministers


Without

Salary $58,402


Church size 345

Age 45

Allowance: Books $1,600 50%



Travel $1,625 0%

Cell phone $1,060 25%








32%

20%

25%

10%

15%

Weekly Time Usage: Worship Ministers



Education by Salary: Worship Ministers

Highest Level of

Education Completed

Average

Salary

High School n/a


Bachelor’s n/a

Master’s $52,870

MDiv n/a

DMin n/a

Other Doctoral n/a


Church Size by Salary: Worship Ministers

Church Size Average

Salary

<150 n/a

150-399 n/a

400-749 $58,000

750+ n/a


25%

75%

Education: Worship Ministers

Bachelor's Master's


Ministry Experience by Salary: Worship Ministers


Salary

1-5 years n/a

6-10 years n/a

11-15 years n/a

16-20 years $48,305

21-25 years n/a

25+ years n/a



Youth Ministers


Without

Salary $53,631


Church size 563

Age 30













25%

23%

23%

15%

16%

Weekly Time Usage: Youth Ministers



Education by Salary: Youth Ministers

Highest Level of

Education Completed

Average

Salary

High School n/a



Master’s $62,321

MDiv $46,304

DMin n/a

Other Doctoral n/a


Church Size by Salary: Youth Ministers

Church Size Average

Salary

<150 n/a

150-399 $46,764

400-749 $58,436

750+ $59,214


44%

39%

17%

Education: Youth Ministers



Ministry Experience by Salary: Youth Ministers


Salary

1-5 years $46,014

6-10 years $51,948

11-15 years $55,333

16-20 years n/a

21-25 years n/a

25+ years n/a



Other (International)


Without

Salary $51,583


Church size 658

Age 54













25%

26%

26%

16%

15%

Weekly Time Usage: Other (International)



Education by Salary: Other (International)

Highest Level of

Education Completed

Average

Salary

High School n/a


Bachelor’s n/a

Master’s $40,100

MDiv n/a

DMin n/a

Other Doctoral n/a


Church Size by Salary: Other (International)

Church Size Average

Salary

<150 n/a

150-399 $49,900

400-749 n/a

750+ $44,000


17%

50%

17%

17%

Education: Other (International)

Bachelor's Master's MDiv Doctoral


Ministry Experience by Salary: Other (International)


Salary

1-5 years n/a

6-10 years n/a

11-15 years n/a

16-20 years n/a

21-25 years n/a

25+ years $46,500



Additional Resources from the

Siburt Institute for Church Ministry

Church Health Assessment

This robust and statistically reliable instrument helps church leaders by gathering and reporting

congregational members’ perceptions on nine different areas such as ministry effectiveness,

spiritual formation and discipleship, congregational culture and values, and family life stages.

Learn more: Church Health Assessment web page

Leadership Seminars and Conferences

Numerous seminars and training events are offered throughout the year in various U.S. cities.

Examples include ACU Summit, ElderLink, and Equipping for Ministry.

Learn more: acu.edu/summit acu.edu/elderlink acu.edu/siburt

Minister Transition Guidance and Resources

The Looking Team is an active team that helps churches find candidates for open ministry

positions. MinistryLink is a web-based service connecting ministers and churches to help fill

ministry positions. Resource packets are also available to assist churches and ministers with

navigating ministerial transitions in constructive and healthy ways.

Looking Team contact: [email protected]

Learn more: acu.edu/ministrylink and Minister Transition Resources web page

More!

The Siburt Institute website includes numerous additional tools and resources for churches and

church leaders—such as Bible class curricula, videos, consulting resources, a scholarly e-journal,

and a blog.

Learn more: acu.edu/siburt

Connect

Email and phone: [email protected], 325-674-3722, 877-831-5413

Siburt Institute e-News: acu.edu/siburt (follow the “Subscribe to News” link)

Facebook: facebook.com/siburtinstitute

Twitter: @SiburtInstitute

YouTube: youtube.com/SiburtInstitute

The mission of the Siburt Institute is to offer resources and best practices for

leading congregational communities in pursuit of God’s mission in the world and to

provide avenues for the spiritual formation of Christian leaders.

http://www.acu.edu/siburt-institute-for-church-ministry/resources/church-health-assessment-.html

http://www.acu.edu/summit

http://www.acu.edu/elderlink


mailto:[email protected]

http://www.acu.edu/ministrylink

http://www.acu.edu/siburt-institute-for-church-ministry/resources/minister-transition-packet.html


mailto:[email protected]


http://www.facebook.com/siburtinstitute

https://twitter.com/siburtinstitute

https://www.youtube.com/user/SiburtInstitute

2018 ministers’...2018 ministers’ salary survey | siburt institute for church ministry page 1...

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