The following information was collected by responses from 26 ministers

Feel free to use this information as needed. Many have requested this, in help with salary negotiations, assessing their field of options, and seeing if they are being fairly compensated.

For the past few months we’ve been asking student ministers to take a survey and help us gather data on salary packages. We currently have 26 responses, but hope to continue updating as we get more responses. If you’re a youth minister and would like to help us out, you can take the survey here: bit.ly/ymnjobs

Data gathered is for use in evaluation and/or negotiation of pay or benefits. Keep in mind that every church is different, and size doesn’t necessarily correlate to pay scale.

It can be difficult to approach the subject of pay and benefits within churches, so keep in mind this is intended to help ministers and churches in conversations, not as fuel for arguments. We hope this can be a useful tool for you and your ministry in the journey ahead.

Some terms to consider:

Package: Everything included in your compensation (salary, medical, retirement, etc)
Vacation: Time off (not continuing ed, seminars, retreats/conferences)

Most churches will include time specifically for these, as well as allowances for continuing education and/or a book budget. These were not included in this survey, but are worth bringing into a conversation.
 
Now, on to the results!

 
Here’s who we’re working with –

Employment Status:

  • Full-time Youth/Students – 57.7% (15)
  • Full-time Ministry (youth included) – 38.5% (10)
  • Part-time – 3.8% (1)

 
How many years have you served in your current position?

  • <1 Year: 3.9% (1)
  • 1-2 Years: 23.1% (6)
  • 2-4 Years: 34.6% (9)
  • 4-7 Years: 19.2% (5)
  • So Many Years (more than 7): 19.2% (5)

 
Average Worship Attendance

  • 50-150: 19.2% (5)
  • 150-250: 42.3% (11)
  • 250-350: 11.5% (3)
  • 350-500: 11.5% (3)
  • 500+: 15.4% (4)

 

Stats arranged by question (by church size below)

Total Salary Package:

  • $20-$30K: 3.8% (1)
  • $30-40K: 7.6% (2)
  • $40-$50K: 46.2% (12)
  • $50-$60K: 30.8% (8)
  • really? over $60K?: 11.5% (3)

When was the last time you received a raise?

  • Haven’t been here long enough: 15.4% (4)
  • In the last year: 30.8% (8)
  • In the last 2 years: 19.2% (5)
  • In the last 3 years: 3.8% (1)
  • More than 3 years: 11.5% (3)
  • What’s a raise?: 3.8% (1)

Does your church cover medical insurance?

  • Yep: 61.5% (16)
  • No: 26.9% (7)
  • No, but it comes out pre-tax: 11.5% (3)

Does your church contribute to retirement?

  • Yep, part of salary package: 50% (13)
  • Yes, with matching: 23.1% (6)
  • Nope: 19.2% (5)
  • No, but I can take it from pre-tax salary: 7.7% (2)

 
Does your church pay your cell phone?

  • Yes, as part of salary package: 23.1% (6)
  • Nope: 69.2% (18)
  • No, but I get reimbursed: 7.7% (2)

 
How much vacation are you given?

  • 1 Week: 7.7% (2)
  • 2 Weeks: 38.5% (10)
  • 3 Weeks: 30.8% (8)
  • more, I’m rarely in the office: 23.1% (6)

 
What else are you responsible for?

  • Music: 7.7% (2)
  • Youth Music: 15.4% (4)
  • Children’s Ministry: 38.5 (10)
  • College/Young Adults: 69.2% (18)
  • Website: 30.8% (8)
  • Other Technology: 42.3% (11)
  • Small Groups: 11.5% (3)
  • Missions: 42.3% (11)
  • Communications: 30.8% (8)
  • The kitchen sink: 19.2% (5)
  • Other: 2nd Campus (FLC); Picnics, Interships, Scholarships; Education/Spiritual Formation; Senior Adults; Big Church Preaching; Team Ministry Duties; Congregational Care; Associate Pastor Duties

 
 

Stats by Church Size

50-150: 4 FT Ministry (Students included), 1 FT Youth
  • Salary Package:
  • $40-$50K: 4
  • $50-60K: 1

 

Church provided medical insurance?

  • Yes: 4
  • No, but deducted pre-tax: 1

 
Church provided retirement?

  • Part of salary package: 2
  • No, but I can deduct pre-tax: 1
  • Nope: 2

 
Church covered cell phone?

  • Nope: 5

 
Vacation?

  • I’m rarely in the office (more than 4 weeks): 4
  • 2 Weeks: 1

 
What other responsibilities do you have?

  • Children’s Ministry: 4
  • College/Young Adults: 4
  • Music: 1
  • Website & Technology: 5
  • Missions: 3
  • Communication: 3
  • The kitchen sink: 3

 
When was the last time you received a raise?

  • In the last year: 1
  • In the past two years: 2
  • More than 3 years: 2

 

150-250: 7 FT Youth, 3 FT Ministry (Students incl), 1 PT

Salary Package:

  • $20-$30K: 1
  • $30-$40K: 2
  • $40-$50K: 6
  • $50-60K: 2

 

Church provided medical insurance?

  • Yes: 5
  • Nope: 6

 

Church provided retirement?

  • Part of salary package: 5
  • Yes, with matching: 2
  • No, but I can deduct pre-tax: 1
  • Nope: 3

 
Church covered cell phone?

  • Yep: 4
  • No, but I get reimbursed: 1
  • Nope: 6

 
Vacation?

  • I’m rarely in the office (more than 4 weeks): 1
  • 3 Weeks: 4
  • 2 Weeks: 4
  • 1 Week: 2

 
What other responsibilities do you have?

  • None: 1
  • Children’s Ministry: 4
  • College/Young Adults: 6
  • Music: 3
  • Website & Technology: 5
  • Missions: 5
  • Communication: 4
  • Small Groups: 2
  • Senior Adults: 1
  • Spiritual formation: 1
  • “Big Church” preaching: 1
  • Team Ministry Duties: 1
  • The kitchen sink: 4

 
When was the last time you received a raise?

  • Haven’t been here long enough: 4
  • In the last year: 3
  • In the past two years: 1
  • More than 3 years: 1
  • No raise, but cost of living increase: 1
  • What’s a raise?: 1

 
 

250-350: 2 FT Youth, 1 FT Ministry (Students incl)

Salary Package:

  • $50-60K: 3

 

Church provided medical insurance?

  • Yes: 1
  • No, but it comes out pre-tax: 1
  • Nope: 1

 
Church provided retirement?

  • Part of salary package: 2
  • Yes, with matching: 1

 
Church covered cell phone?

  • Yep: 1
  • Nope: 2

 
Vacation?

  • 3 Weeks: 1
  • 2 Weeks: 2

 
What other responsibilities do you have?

  • Children’s Ministry: 1
  • College/Young Adults: 2
  • Website & Technology: 1
  • Missions: 1
  • Communication: 1
  • Education (Bible Studies): 1
  • The kitchen sink: 1

 
When was the last time you received a raise?

  • In the last year: 1
  • In the past two years: 1
  • No raise, but cost of living increase: 1

 

 

350-500: 3 FT Youth
  • Salary Package:
  • $50-60K: 1
  • really? over $60K: 2

 

Church provided medical insurance?

  • Yes: 3

 
Church provided retirement?

  • Part of salary package: 2
  • Yes, with matching: 1

 
Church covered cell phone?

  • Yep: 1
  • No, but I get reimbursed: 1
  • Nope: 1

Vacation?

  • I’m rarely in the office (more than 4 weeks): 1
  • 3 Weeks: 1
  • 2 Weeks: 2

 
What other responsibilities do you have?

  • College/Young Adults: 2
  • Missions: 1
  • Oversee 2nd Campus, FLC: 1

 
When was the last time you received a raise?

  • In the last year: 1
  • No raise, but cost of living increase: 2

 

500+: 2 FT Youth, 2 FT Ministry (Students incl)
  • Salary Package:
  • $40-$50K: 2
  • $50-60K: 1
  • really? over $60K?: 1

 

Church provided medical insurance?

  • Yes: 3
  • No, but it comes out pre-tax: 1

 

Church provided retirement?

  • Part of salary package: 3
  • Yes, with matching: 1

 
Church covered cell phone?

  • Nope: 4

 
Vacation?

  • I’m rarely in the office (more than 4 weeks): 1
  • 3 Weeks: 2
  • 2 Weeks: 1

What other responsibilities do you have?

  • Children’s Ministry: 1
  • College (not Young adults): 1
  • College/Young Adults: 2
  • Music: 2
  • Website & Technology: 1
  • Missions: 1
  • Communication: 1
  • Recreation: 1
  • Spiritual formation: 1
  • Associate Pastor Responsibilities: 1

 
When was the last time you received a raise?

  • In the last year: 2
  • In the past two years: 1
  • More than 3 years: 1

 
Additional comments (added as part of the survey)

  • I wasn’t able to negotiate for insurance upfront, because it isn’t offered to any of the full time staff. We’re putting together a proposal for our Personnel Committee, but haven’t presented it yet.
  • Some benefits included in package have proved difficult to receive/access.
  • There are many things I’m not responsible for but get to do because I want to. They’re not required by any means but my involvement with them does help and enhance the youth ministry. I consider these additional tasks part of the youth ministry in an indirect way.
  • At a great church and thankful to be here.
  • [I take care of various] responsibilities as needed, especially with only two of us on staff that can cover wide variety of things
  • Because I am not ordained, I don’t have a housing allowance and a few other benefits- which I’m actually not really sure what they are. Those that are ordained on our staff have a few more benefits.
  • I am an associate pastor so I know that my answers are different because of that.
  • What about conference time and/or conference leadership time? And a stipend to purchase office supplies or personal development materials?