A. Ministers’ Salary Guidelines
Q1.1 How should a church determine a pastor’s salary?
A. Churches are encouraged to consider biblical principles such as “the worker deserves his wages” (1 Tim. 5:17–18) and being “free from worldly anxiety” (1 Cor. 9:14). Many churches use the Teachers’ Pay Scale in England and Wales as a benchmark.
This may be considered as a fair, professional benchmark for someone with a degree and significant responsibility:
- M2: £32,433
- M3: £35,039
- M4: £37,739
- M5: £40,710
- M6: £44,802
- Upper Pay Range (U1–U3): £46,446 – £49,944
For details, visit: NASUWT Pay Scales
Factors such as local housing costs, whether a manse is provided, church size, financial ability, family needs, and ministry experience can also influence the stipend.
Q1.2 Are there alternative guidelines for ministerial pay?
A. Yes. Churches may refer to the Baptist Union of Great Britain (BUGB) Stipend Guidelines. For 2025, the standard stipend is £29,575, rising to £30,405 in 2026. An additional manse value of £7,741 is factored in for pension purposes.
More info: BUGB Financial Guidance
Q1.3 Where can I find broader data on church salaries?
A. The UK Church Administrator Network (UCAN) provides detailed benchmarking data.
See: UCAN 2023 Survey
