Salary for United Methodist Ministers
- According to a 2010 press release from United Methodist Communications, "The average salary of a full-time pastor not living in a parsonage was $55,000 in 2008, compared to $45,300 in 1998." This represents a 2 percent increase from the previous year and a 21 percent increase in the 10 years listed. This figure does take into account housing allowances but does not include pension payments or other benefits such as insurance, vacation or travel expenses.
- Race plays a role in the salary of UMC male ministers. Eighty-eight percent of UMC pastors describe themselves as white, 7 percent describe themselves as black and 3 percent are Asian, according to a 2010 report by the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry of the United Methodist Church titled "Salaries for United Methodist Clergy in the U.S. Context." White ministers average $58,500, black ministers average $51,800 and Asian ministers average $54,700. In addition, Hispanic/Latino ministers average $48,600 and those listed as "Other" average $50,000. The UMC study summarizes this data, stating "Blacks (of either gender) earn 9 percent less, Asians 5 percent less, Hispanics/Latinos 15 percent less, and those falling within the other category 14 percent less than white pastors."
- Race plays a role in the salaries paid to female UMC ministers, too. According to the 2010 report, white female UMC ministers average $50,300, while black female ministers average $49,700, Asians average $51,600, Hispanic/Latinos average $46,700 and those classified as "Other" average $43,800. The study explains: "Those differences were largely attributed to differences in seniority between male and female pastors, and the assignment of non-white pastors to congregations that pay lower salaries." This gender gap is predicted to improve as more female ministers enter the UMC and existing ministers gain experience.
- Congregation size makes a substantial difference in average wages, although the denomination did not release this data because it was skewed by the large difference between the number of small churches and the very few large churches. Location of the church also plays a role in computing an average salary. The UMC explains in its 2010 press release that "Salaries in urban charge 3-5 percent higher than other locations, but similar levels in suburban, large-town, and rural charges." Conference, or location, differences contributed as well. For example, the UMC states "more than $14,000 separated the conference with highest average salary (California-Nevada) from the lowest (West Virginia)," even when taking in account other characteristics of the churches in the respective areas.
