Ministry Director Salary Guide 2026
What Christian ministry director roles are paying in the United States, based on 99 of 446 total ministry director listings with complete salary ranges as of November 2, 2026.
- →The median ministry director salary is $48,950/yr, with most offers between $42,150 and $61,000
- →Full-time roles post a median of $51,348 across 69 listings
- →California posts the highest published median at $62,500
How much do ministry directors make?
Ministry directors earn a median of $48,950 per year across 99 listings with complete salary ranges, with the middle half of offers between $42,150 and $61,000.
This is a broad category covering directors of discipleship, outreach, missions, and other named ministries. Scope drives pay. A director overseeing staff and budget posts well above a coordinator title with a director label.
Ministry Director salaries by state
Geography moves ministry director pay meaningfully, and cost of living explains most of the spread. California leads at a median of $62,500, while Indiana comes in at $15,000.
Median ministry director salary by state
99 listings| State | Median | Listings | |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | $62,500 | 9 | |
| Florida | $58,250 | 6 | |
| Remote | $47,214 | 43 | |
| Texas | $42,125 | 7 | |
| Colorado | $15,000 | 5 | |
| Indiana | $15,000 | 7 | |
| Kansas | — | <5 | |
| Illinois | — | <5 |
13 additional state entries have fewer than 5 listings, so their medians are withheld.
By organization and employment type
By organization type
97 listings| Org type | Median | Listings |
|---|---|---|
| Church | $53,290 | 8 |
| Nonprofit | $47,214 | 85 |
| Christian school | — | <5 |
By employment type
95 listings| Type | Median | Listings |
|---|---|---|
| Full-time | $51,348 | 69 |
| Part-time | $42,150 | 26 |
By organization size
38 listings| Employees | Median | Listings |
|---|---|---|
| 51-200 | $44,875 | 22 |
| 201-1000 | — | <5 |
| 1000+ | $41,505 | 12 |
Organization size is the employer's W-2 headcount from its latest IRS Form 990 filing. Employers that don't file (churches, for-profits) aren't counted in that table.