2026 SBC Church Compensation Survey

Help create an extensive, reliable database that will be used by thousands of churches to establish competitive compensation packages for their church staff. Upon completion, you’ll be entered for a chance to win one of five $100 Amazon* gift cards.

Survey available in English, Spanish and Korean.

You will need the following information to complete the survey:

Church
  • Average weekly attendance
  • Total membership
  • 2026 budget
  • Total compensation and benefits budgeted (optional)
Staff - for all employees
  • Annual salary
  • Annual church contributions to retirement plan
  • Annual church-paid coverage costs
  • Highest level of education completed
  • Years of service at the church
  • Vacation and paid time off allowed for revivals
Additional questions for ministers
  • Annual housing or parsonage allowance
  • Annual church-provided Social Security offset
  • Rental value and utilities paid for church-provided parsonage
  • Years of service as a minister at the church

Leveraging this data from the nation’s largest free compensation survey is a great place to start when working to establish competitive compensation packages — but there are still additional considerations to make when it comes to setting, structuring and stewarding compensation, specifically for pastors.

Visit the Ministerial Resources Center to watch short videos and explore key resources related to ministers’ salary and benefits.

*The data collected is strictly confidential and will not be shared with other agencies or used to market products or services to your church. Information provided about the name of the church and the city in which it is located will not be revealed as part of the survey results.

**Rules and information for Gift Card Drawing