SOC 2463 Business, media and public service professionals

Clergy Salary

Median salary £30,655 per year (2025). Based on ONS ASHE data.

Gross pay, before deductions. See take-home pay on £31,000 after tax and National Insurance →

For clergy, £31,183 is the typical (median) pay. That is below the UK full-time median of £39,039 — -20% versus the national average. Experienced clergy (top 25%) earn over £34,415.

About this role

Clergy (2020 SOC) serve as ordained religious leaders within faith communities, leading worship, providing pastoral care, conducting ceremonies and contributing to the spiritual and social life of their communities and wider society.

Key responsibilities

Leading worship services and religious observances
Providing pastoral support during illness, bereavement and transitions
Teaching and interpreting religious texts
Managing church administration and finances
Engaging in community outreach and social action

Qualifications and entry routes

Varies by faith tradition. Anglican clergy undergo selection, theological training and ordination. Catholic priests complete seminary formation. Free church ministers follow denomination-specific pathways.

Career outlook

Most denominations face challenges attracting vocations. Self-supporting ministry models are increasingly common.

Key skills

Pastoral care Preaching Community leadership Counselling Governance

Common industries

Church of England
Catholic Church
Free churches
Chaplaincy
Faith-based charities

Data coverage

SOC code 2463

Data source ONS ASHE

Years available 2015–2025

Estimated jobs 41,000

Median Salary

£30,655

Mean Salary

£29,668

Jobs (000s)

41k

Data Years

11 years

Salary Range (2025)

P25: £23,975Median: £30,655P75: £34,415

P10: £12kP25: £24kMedian: £31kP75: £34kP90: --

Estimated Career Progression

Based on salary percentile distribution for this occupation

Entry Level

£11,767

0-2 years

Mid Level

£23,975

3-7 years

Senior

£34,415

8-15 years

Potential career growth: +192% from entry to leadership

Salary Trend (2015-2025)

Adjust for inflation

Nominal growth: +30.6%Real growth: -5.4%

Gender Pay Comparison (2025)

Gender pay gap: 2.9%

Full-time vs All Employees (2025)

All Employees

£30,655

Full-time Only

£31,183

Full-time premium: +£528

Clergy salary: common questions

How much do clergy earn in the UK?

Clergy earn a median of £31,183 a year (ONS ASHE 2025). The middle half earn between £23,975 and £34,415.

Is £31,183 a good salary in the UK?

For clergy, £31,183 is the typical (median) pay. That is below the UK full-time median of £39,039 — -20% versus the national average. Experienced clergy (top 25%) earn over £34,415.

What is the starting salary for clergy?

Entry-level clergy typically start near the lower end of the range. The bottom 25% earn up to £23,975, and the lowest-paid 10% earn under £11,767.

Have clergy salaries kept up with inflation?

Since 2015, median clergy pay has risen from £24,521 to £31,183 — +27% in cash terms, or -8.0% after CPIH inflation. That is behind inflation over the period.

Is there a gender pay gap for clergy?

Male clergy earn a median £31,060 and female clergy £30,168 — a gap of +3.0% in 2025.

Figures: ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings, gross annual pay. UK full-time median £39,039 (2025).