How Much Should You Really Pay Your Church Staff? Salary Benchmarks for Church Leaders

How much should you really pay your church staff? 

If that question makes your stomach turn or sparks challenging conversations when it comes up in a board meeting, you’re not alone. Most church leaders desire to honor their team well and provide for those faithfully serving their congregation, but that desire often meets the reality of tight budgets and unpredictable giving trends. And in this economy, the pressure is real.

Why Church Staff Compensation Requires a Strong Financial Foundation

The good news is that you’re not powerless. Compensating church staff well is not just about numbers on a spreadsheet. It’s about creating a culture of sustainability and care. And one of the best ways to make that possible is by building a strong foundation of recurring giving.

This article takes a biblical and practical look at staffing costs, shares salary benchmarks for common church roles, and explores how recurring giving can provide the financial consistency your team needs to lead with confidence and care.

Should a Church Have Paid Staff According to the Bible?

Long before budget spreadsheets and giving reports, Scripture laid a clear foundation for financially supporting those who lead and serve in ministry.

In both the Old and New Testaments, we see that God’s design includes caring for those who care for His people.

“The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching. For Scripture says, 'Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain,' and 'The worker deserves his wages.'” — 1 Timothy 5:17–18 (NIV)

And this wasn’t just Paul’s opinion. It was a continuation of God’s long-established principles. In the Old Testament, the tribe of Levi was set apart for priestly service. They didn’t receive land like the other tribes. Instead, they were sustained by the tithes of the people.

“I give to the Levites all the tithes in Israel as their inheritance in return for the work they do while serving at the tent of meeting.” — Numbers 18:21 (NIV)

The Levites dedicated their lives to worship, teaching, and care for the people, and God ensured their needs were met through the faithful giving of the community.

Ultimately, the message is clear: when someone devotes a large portion of their time and energy to serving the church, it is not only appropriate but right to support them financially. This is an important way we honor the pastoral call, partner with God’s mission, and reflect the generosity of God Himself.

Church Staff Salaries in 2025: What Churches Are Paying for Key Roles

As church leaders navigate the complexities of budgeting and stewardship, understanding current salary benchmarks can guide them in honoring their staff while staying financially healthy. Here are a few of the most common church leadership salaries from our 2025 Tithely Staff Salary Guide, followed by average salaries for speciality roles that support modern ministry needs. 

Average Salary Ranges by Church Size

Senior Pastor Salary

While salaries vary depending on region and church size, senior pastors tend to earn one of the highest salaries on a church staff due to the breadth of their responsibilities and time commitment. As visionary leaders, they carry the weight of preaching, shepherding, strategic direction, and often administrative oversight. Their compensation should reflect both the scope of their work and the size of the congregation they serve. The average salary ranges are as follows:

• Small Church (under 250 members): $50,000–$75,000
• Medium Church (250–750 members): $75,000–$100,000
• Large Church (750+ members): $100,000–$150,000

Executive Pastor Salary

Executive pastors manage the operational aspects of the church, including staff supervision, strategic planning, and financial management. Their role is crucial in ensuring the church's vision is effectively implemented, and average salaries range accordingly:

• Small Church: $55,000–$85,000
• Medium Church: $85,000–$120,000
• Large Church: $120,000–$180,000

Worship Pastor Salary

Worship pastors lead congregational worship and often oversee music ministries. Compensation varies based on church size, responsibilities, and regional cost of living, with average salaries ranging between $40,000–$110,000.

• Small Church: $40,000–$60,000
• Medium Church: $60,000–$85,000
• Large Church: $85,000–$110,000

Youth Pastor Salary

Youth pastors play a vital role in discipling the next generation. Their salaries reflect the importance of engaging and nurturing young members of the congregation, though average salaries have a wide range depending on church size and ministry need:

• Small Church: $35,000–$50,000
• Medium Church: $50,000–$70,000
• Large Church: $70,000–$90,000

Children's Pastor Salary

Children's pastors oversee ministries for younger children, ensuring their spiritual growth and safety. Average compensation is influenced by the scope of programs and church size:

• Small Church: $30,000–$45,000
• Medium Church: $45,000–$65,000
• Large Church: $65,000–$85,000

Average Salaries for Specialized Roles

Many churches have a need for specialized staff based on calling, context, and community needs. These averages are based on 2025 survey data from the Siburt Institute of Church Ministry and reflect salary benchmarks across various U.S. regions and church sizes.

Communications Media Director Salary

Media Directors manage the church's digital presence, including live streaming, video production, and online content. Their role has become increasingly vital as churches expand their digital reach and rely more heavily on visual storytelling and weekly online services.

• Average Salary (751–1000 members): $67,806

Small Groups Pastor Salary

Small Groups Pastors or Directors build and support the framework for community life in the church. They recruit and train leaders, organize curriculum, and help attendees find their place in smaller communities of faith where discipleship and care flourish.

• Average Salary (251–500 members): $80,833

Administrative Pastor Salary

Administrative pastors handle everything from finances to human resources to operations alongside senior leadership. This role is especially valuable in smaller churches, where one person often wears many hats and keeps the church running smoothly behind the scenes.

• Average Salary (101–250 members): $71,197

Campus Pastor Salary

In multi-site churches, a campus pastor will provide pastoral leadership at a secondary campus, including preaching, community outreach, and team oversight. Campus pastors serve as the spiritual shepherds of their local congregation.

• Average Salary (California): $72,900

Outreach Pastor Salary

This missional role focuses on building partnerships, coordinating service events, and helping the church stay connected to the needs of the neighborhood. Whether it’s organizing a food drive or partnering with local nonprofits, outreach pastors help the church be the hands and feet of Jesus in the community.

• Average Salary (251–500 members): $53,200

Consider Your Overall Budget

While average salary data offers a helpful starting point, church leaders also have to consider the overall church budget. According to recent data, healthy mid-size or large churches can allocate 45–55% of their annual budget to staffing, including salaries, benefits, and taxes. In line with this range, the average church allocates 49.1% of its overall budget to staffing. 

This percentage may vary based on ministry goals, building costs, and local cost of living, but serves as a strong planning baseline. 

Plan Ahead With Recurring Giving

At the end of the day, church budgets aren’t about numbers – they are about people! Planning ahead is essential to ensure your staff members are financially supported. 

At Tithely, we know it can be difficult to plan ahead when tithing is unpredictable. This is exactly why we’ve created a solution to support recurring giving at your church.

What is recurring giving? Recurring giving is when members of your church set up automatic donations on a regular basis, whether weekly, biweekly, or monthly. It’s simple to set up through our digital giving platform, and it makes a huge difference in financial planning.

Recurring giving invites your congregation to be part of the budgeting process. It builds stability, shared ownership, and long-term vision.

Looking for ways to implement recurring giving at your church? Check out our free Recurring Giving Guide to help you get started!

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