Clergy Compensation
Clergy Compensation in the Episcopal Diocese of the Susquehanna is governed by Diocesan Convention Resolutions. For 2026, this is informed by the resolutions from the final Diocesan Conventions of the former dioceses of Bethlehem and Central Pennsylvania.
Congregations Previously in the Diocese of Bethlehem
For congregations in the geographic area corresponding to the former Diocese of Bethlehem, the following table describes the clergy compensation details:
|
Parish Index |
Cash Stipend Range |
|
1 – 99 |
$43,666 – $52,453 |
|
100 – 250 |
$48,356 – $71,504 |
|
251 – 399 |
$57,869 – $89,083 |
|
400 – above |
$78,096 – $126,449 |
Clergy providing supply services in 2026 to congregations in the geographic area corresponding to the former Diocese of Bethlehem should be compensated in accordance with the following schedule approved by the most recent Diocesan Convention:
|
Service |
Rate |
|
1 Service (Saturday or Sunday) |
$175.00 |
|
2 Services (Saturday or Sunday) |
$215.00 |
|
3 Services (Saturday or Sunday) |
$235.00 |
|
1 Major Service (Holy Week, Christmas, Funeral) |
$175.00 |
|
Midweek Service |
$115.00 |
Congregations Previously in the Diocese of Central Pennsylvania
For congregations in the geographic area corresponding to the former Diocese of Central Pennsylvania, the following table describes the minimums for clergy compensation:
|
Years Ordained (Actively Serving) |
0-4 Years |
5-9 Years |
10-19 Years |
20 Plus Years |
|
Compensation Item |
||||
|
Stipend / Base Salary |
$47,784 |
$57,458 |
$66,071 |
$76,628 |
|
Housing Allowance Allocation (Standard 30%) |
$14,335 |
$17,238 |
$19,821 |
$22,699 |
|
Total Core Compensation |
$62,119 |
$74,696 |
$85,893 |
$98,316 |
|
Social Security Offset |
$5,146 |
$6,188 |
$7,115 |
$8,144 |
|
Total Cost of Compensation |
$67,265 |
$80,884 |
$93,008 |
$106,461 |
|
Pension Contribution @ 18% |
$12,108 |
$14,559 |
$16,741 |
$19,163 |
|
Professional Expenses (Prorate for ¾, ½, or ¼ time) |
$5,000 |
$5,000 |
$5,000 |
$5,000 |
|
Continuing Education (Not prorated) |
$1,250 |
$1,250 |
$1,250 |
$1,250 |
|
Est. Workers Comp. |
$733 |
$882 |
$1,014 |
$1,160 |
|
Total Cost of Employment (NOT INCLUDING MEDICAL INSURANCE) |
$86,355 |
$102,574 |
$117,013 |
$133,034 |
|
Medical – PPO 70 |
||||
|
Single |
$12,240 |
$12,240 |
$12,240 |
$12,240 |
|
Employee + Spouse/Partner |
$24,480 |
$24,480 |
$24,480 |
$24,480 |
|
Employee + 1 Child |
$22,032 |
$22,032 |
$22,032 |
$22,032 |
|
Family |
$36,720 |
$36,720 |
$36,720 |
$36,720 |
|
Basic Dental – Now provided by Delta Dental |
||||
|
Single |
$336 |
$336 |
$336 |
$336 |
|
Employee + Spouse/Partner |
$672 |
$672 |
$672 |
$672 |
|
Employee + 1 Child |
$600 |
$600 |
$600 |
$600 |
|
Family |
$1,008 |
$1,008 |
$1,008 |
$1,008 |
Full-time priests and transitional deacons shall be paid core compensation that is at least equal to the minimums as described in the above schedule. The schedule provides higher rates of compensation based on the number of years of full-time ministry completed since ordination to the diaconate. Increases will be set in the minimum core compensation for 0-4 years, 5-9 years, 10-19 years, and 20-plus years.
Core compensation is defined as 1) Stipend/base salary and 2) Housing allowance. For illustration purposes, the approved schedule assigns a housing allowance at 30% of the stipend/base salary. Since the housing allowance may vary between parishes or the priest/transitional deacon is provided housing, the sum of stipend/base salary and housing allocation must meet or exceed the total core compensation on table 1.
Social Security offset is a required component of a clergy’s compensation package (unless they do not participate in the Social Security program) and is calculated at a compounded rate of 7.65%. Per the Church Pension Group, Social Security offset is included in calculations determining the required pension contribution.
More details regarding clergy compensation for Congregations in the geographic area corresponding to the former Diocese of Central Pennsylvania can be found in this Diocesan Convention Resolution.