Minimum Clergy Compensation
This is to announce new minimum clergy compensation guidelines for full time clergy, effective Sept. 14, 2023.* As some of you are aware, diocesan clergy compensation guidelines have not been updated since 2015. The cost-of-living during those intervening years has increased by about 21%. While the vast majority of parishes have been diligent in keeping up with the cost-of-living increases in the interim, a few have gotten behind. While we know that most parish budgets are now set for 2023, as parishes make future plans, now is a good time to get these issues on the table so they can be addressed in the course of the coming fiscal year. It is expected that those needing to do so will phase them in appropriately over time.
“Compensation” is constituted as the combination of all cash compensation, as defined below, and housing. The two combined represent the figure reported for the Diocesan Pension Fund and are the basis on which those premiums are computed. NOT included in that amount are “benefits” (retirement contributions and health insurance) nor “church expenses” (travel reimbursement, continuing education, etc…):
A. Cash compensation:
This includes salary, social security allowance, utilities/household allowances, and contributions to tax deferred plans.
B. Housing:
If a rectory is provided, it is defined to be worth 30% of the cash compensation reported above. When a housing allowance is provided, it should be at least 30% of cash compensation and determined based on the actual cost of housing in your area.
While experience is an important factor in determining appropriate compensation, the following guidelines are meant only to provide minimum values. The ranges adopted represent common practice in most churches today, where compensation is determined primarily by the size and complexity of the position. The leadership of a large, “corporate” size parish merits a different level of compensation than that prevailing in a “family” size church.
Further, the most straightforward and broadly accepted way to rank churches according to complexity is by comparing average Sunday attendance (ASA) rather than membership and/or financial statistics. For those unsure of your ASA, please consult your annual parochial report. The number reported there should be the basis for determining which of the following salary ranges you should use to determine where you stand in comparison to the minimums.
Guidelines
As of September 14, 2023
- Family size congregation (ASA 0-50) Current Minimum: $56,022; New Minimum:$68,311
- Pastoral size congregation (ASA 51-150) Current Minimum: $64,025; New Minimum:$78,070
- Small program size (ASA 151- 250) Current Minimum: $72,028; New Minimum:$87,829
- Large program size (ASA 251-350) Current Minimum: $80,037; New Minimum:$97,895
- Corporate size congregation (ASA 351+) Current Minimum: $88,035 New Minimum: $107,348
Compensation for assistant clergy needs to be set on a case by case basis, since there is a difference, for instance, between a newly ordained curate and a senior associate. Skills and responsibilities also vary greatly. The minimum, in any case, will now be $68,311 for any clergy of the diocese with full time employment
The diocesan Clergy Salary and Allowance worksheet is suggested as an appropriate tool for determining both total compensation and cost of the position.
If you have questions regarding the new guidelines and their implementation, feel free to call either Canon Jim Lewis or Karen Rothenberger at the Diocesan House. We would be glad to assist you.
* Approved by Diocesan Finance Committee [June 13, 2023]
* Approved at Diocesan Council [September 14, 2023]