How Much Money Do Pastors Make in Their Job

Posted by Alvin Smith on December 28th, 2021

Summary: If you are wondering how much money a pastor makes then read this article and get to know how much pastors are paid, how they are paid, and by whom.

Although money should be the last thing on your mind when planning to make your career as a pastor and pursuing pastoral studies online, it should pay enough so that you earn a respectable living as a pastor, as it what your livelihood will depend upon, while also following your passion for religion and leading the community. 

It is a natural thing to wonder about the pastor\'s earnings while sitting in the church, listening to the pastor\'s sermon. How much money does the pastor make, how he actually gets paid, and who pays him for the work, are some of the common questions that can come to your mind? 

What does a pastor do?

The pastor\'s job is to lead a congregation at the church in prayer, song, and general spiritual guidance, once they finish with their online pastoral degree. The exact requirements for being a pastor differ on the sect. A pastor leads the routine worship services. Hence, he/she should have strong writing and speaking skills in order to create and deliver speeches that emphasize the importance of faith in the lives of the congregation members. He/she should have a strong command of scripture and Biblical history, as well as the ability to interpret and relate this information to the congregation. 

How do they get paid?

In most churches, the salary of a pastor is established by a contract, and the amount varies based on the size of the church and congregation. Pastors who have completed their pastoral studies online can also get numerous allowances, and their income can also include personalized gifts from their congregation. Church members might also give monetary gifts to their preachers as a token of their appreciation for spiritual leadership. 

Annual salary

In most places, pastors are paid an annual salary by the church. The average hourly and annual salaries of a pastor can be .99 and ,740, respectively. Some of the highest-earning pastors even make ,110 in a year. However, some churches may not be able to pay an annual salary to the pastor.

Free housing

Most pastors may be provided with a rectory, which is a house owned by the church. The pastors can live in the house free of charge during their tenure as a pastor of the church. 

Housing allowance

If the church is not able to provide a rectory, it will offer the pastor a housing allowance. This parsonage or rental allowance need not be claimed as income on federal income taxes. But the pastors have to declare this allowance on their self-employment taxes. 

Side gigs

Pastors can even earn extra money from congregants, in the form of gratuities for performing church ceremonies, like weddings, funerals, and baptisms. Although they perform these ceremonies as a part of their job, some churches have an unspoken understanding of the fee for certain services. But, all of this depends upon the church. 

There are many pastors who also earn extra income by writing books or recording sermons. But this too depends upon the size and popularity of the church and is extremely common in mega churches. 

Conclusion

Preachers also make numerous guest appearances at other churches and religious functions, and the congregation usually provides monetary gifts for their appearance. SO, if you are planning to pursue an online pastoral degree and become a pastor, these are the things you should be knowing.

Resource Box: St. Bernard\'s Institute of Pastoral Studies and Ministry offers a number of online courses including, bachelor\'s, master\'s, diploma, and certificate programs in pastoral studies, for students from all around the world.