What Is The Average Salary For Children’s Ministers?

by Tony Kummer | Children's Ministry Links | Print Print | Email

average children's ministry salaryI just found this very interesting report on the Children’s Ministry Magazine website. It gives the salary breakdown for children’s ministry jobs and even lets you calculate and compare your salary based on very fine tuned demographics.

NOTE: That tool is no longer available since they updated their website. You can read their 1995 survey that listed the average salary at 31,668.

  • View this survey from Trinity Lutheran College
  • View the survey from Abilene Christian University
  • Read this article about getting a ministry pay raise.

As you might guess, there is a big gap based on church size and gender. But I was surprised that years at present church didn’t make a big difference. If you are trying to work with your church to establish a fair pay rate, this salary survey for children’s ministry staff is a great resource to have available.

It still looks like children’s ministers are paid lower salaries than pastors and youth ministers. But just remember that our real treasure is in heaven, where the last shall be first. That’s my retirement plan for now.

The reality is that most of us do this job because of God’s calling and a passion to minister to children. But if you’re like me, supporting your family is also a part of the package. So, keep these average salary figures in mind if you’re looking for a children’s ministry job.

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{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }

Hannah Reynolds September 23, 2011 at 9:03 am

what is the average salary for a full time children’s minister?

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Gin Westerfield November 26, 2010 at 3:27 pm

Need your survey to calcaulate children’s pastor’s salaries

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Gin Westerfield November 26, 2010 at 3:25 pm

I recently came across your article on children’s pastor’s salaries but could not pull up the survey to calculate – could you e-mail that survey to me please – thanks you very much – Pastor Gin Westerfield

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Tony Kummer November 26, 2010 at 7:18 pm

It looks like the website for Children’s Ministry Magazine no longer has that information online. I’m sorry I couldn’t be more help.

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Tony Kummer August 28, 2008 at 9:30 pm

@Sandrina Lima-Compas: Thanks for you encouraging comments. To answer your question: Many protestant churches in America have been hiring children’s ministry staff.

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Sandrina Lima-Compas August 28, 2008 at 7:25 pm

Thanks for this wonderful website. I work with children at my church, I do have a job and 2 children, but I do not get paid for my work there. To me if it’s my passion to serve Christ, I do not have to get paid for it. By the way the church never discuss payment issue with us. Do others churches really pay their ministers beside the pastors?

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