Children's Ministry Director Salary Guide 2026
What Christian children's ministry director roles are paying in the United States, based on 22 of 215 total children's ministry director listings with complete salary ranges as of November 2, 2026.
- →The median children's ministry director salary is $46,515/yr, with most offers between $37,175 and $58,000
- →Full-time roles post a median of $56,000 across 12 listings
- →California posts the highest published median at $60,320
How much do children's ministry directors make?
The median children's ministry director salary is $46,515 per year, based on 22 listings with complete salary ranges. Half of all offers fall between $37,175 and $58,000.
Churches increasingly treat children's ministry as a professional discipline with curriculum, safety, and volunteer-management responsibilities, and posted salaries have followed. Part-time coordinator roles still make up a meaningful share of listings, so check the employment-type split below.
Children's Ministry Director salaries by state
Geography moves children's ministry director pay meaningfully, and cost of living explains most of the spread. California leads at a median of $60,320, while Minnesota comes in at $52,000.
Median children's ministry director salary by state
22 listings| State | Median | Listings | |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | $60,320 | 5 | |
| Minnesota | $52,000 | 6 | |
| Washington | — | <5 | |
| New Jersey | — | <5 |
6 additional state entries have fewer than 5 listings, so their medians are withheld.
By organization and employment type
By organization type
22 listings| Org type | Median | Listings |
|---|---|---|
| Church | $49,500 | 15 |
| Nonprofit | $42,750 | 7 |
By employment type
22 listings| Type | Median | Listings |
|---|---|---|
| Full-time | $56,000 | 12 |
| Part-time | $39,500 | 9 |
| Temporary | — | <5 |