Get Pastor Salary By Church Size

With adequate planning, the church can direct funds to give the pastor a meaningful sabbatical. Giving advanced notice allows the church to budget extra money to pay for visiting ministers, and to pay for any travel the pastor might incur during the sabbatical.

1) Churches can purchase or lease a car and assume the total automobile expense. The pastor, in order to comply with tax regulations, is required to report and to reimburse the church for personal use of the vehicle. 2) The church can reimburse the actual miles driven at a specific rate per mile.

Church consultant Tony Morgan says, “Our consulting team generally encourages churches to try to stay in the range of 45 to 55 percent of total budget.” So, what percentage of your total budget should your church spend on staff salary? Whatever amount you determine is generous but not too risky.

Generally, those expenses include rent, mortgage interest, utilities, and other expenses directly relating to providing a home. The amount excluded can't be more than reasonable compensation for the minister's services. If you own your home, you may still claim deductions for mortgage interest and real property taxes.

These can include: A housing allowance. Paid vacation and holidays. Health insurance. Retirement benefits. Life and disability insurance. Social security and medicare offset. Reimbursements.

Most churches pay a pastor salary that is established by contract. The amount of salary varies based on the size of the church and the congregation. Mega-churches have congregations in excess of 5,000 members.

National Average for Pastor Salary It also includes providing spiritual and moral guidance to members. Percentile wage estimates for clergy from the Bureau of Labor Statistics are: 10% – $14.64 hourly and $30,450 annual wage. 25% – $18.66 hourly and $38,800 annual wage.

The pastor's salary at the previous church. By far, more churches use the pastor's previous salary as benchmark to establish the new salary. For example, if a pastor has an income of $50,000 at his current church, his prospective church may offer him $55,000, or a 10% increase.