Youth Pastor Salary Guide 2026
What Christian youth pastor roles are paying in the United States, based on 39 of 213 total youth pastor listings with complete salary ranges as of November 2, 2026.
- →The median youth pastor salary is $46,800/yr, with most offers between $34,500 and $60,930
- →Full-time roles post a median of $50,000 across 26 listings
- →California posts the highest published median at $48,000
How much do youth pastors make?
The median youth pastor salary is $46,800 per year, from 39 listings with complete salary ranges. The middle half of offers runs from $34,500 to $60,930.
Youth ministry is often a first full-time role, and the pay reflects that. Churches frequently pair the salary with housing support or ministry expense budgets that do not appear in the posted number.
Youth Pastor salaries by state
Geography moves youth pastor pay meaningfully, and cost of living explains most of the spread. California leads at a median of $48,000, while Colorado comes in at $20,000.
Median youth pastor salary by state
39 listings| State | Median | Listings | |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | $48,000 | 9 | |
| Colorado | $20,000 | 5 | |
| Remote | — | <5 | |
| Illinois | — | <5 |
10 additional state entries have fewer than 5 listings, so their medians are withheld.
By organization and employment type
By organization type
36 listings| Org type | Median | Listings |
|---|---|---|
| Church | $59,280 | 11 |
| Nonprofit | $38,500 | 25 |
By employment type
35 listings| Type | Median | Listings |
|---|---|---|
| Full-time | $50,000 | 26 |
| Part-time | $34,500 | 9 |
By organization size
19 listings| Employees | Median | Listings |
|---|---|---|
| 51-200 | $40,500 | 10 |
| 1000+ | $20,000 | 9 |
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.