THE 2026 YOUTH PASTOR COMPENSATION SURVEY REPORT
What Fair Pay Really Looks Like in Youth Ministry
The 2026 Youth Pastor Compensation Report is here. Based on responses from youth pastors nationwide, this ninth-year report offers a clear snapshot of how youth pastors are paid and what drives compensation. The data shows progress and tension at the same time: salaries are rising, the gender wage gap is at its lowest point in survey history, yet many youth pastors still lack annual reviews and smaller churches continue to fall behind. This report helps leaders understand the landscape and make better decisions moving forward.
Why Download This Report?
- Know Where You Stand:
See how your compensation compares to national averages based on church size, budget, experience, education, denomination, and gender.
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Bring Data to the Conversation: Youth pastors who receive annual reviews earn more and see more frequent raises. This report gives you the numbers to support healthy, informed conversations.
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Understand What Drives Pay: Nine years of data point to the same reality: church attendance and church budget matter most. This report explains why and how that affects long-term earning potential.
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Plan for Longevity: Learn how experience, tenure, and mobility impact compensation and why veteran youth pastors often face slower wage growth without intentional leadership.
- Address Equity with Clarity: For the first time in survey history, the gender wage gap has narrowed to 10%. This report shows where progress has been made and where work remains.
Who Is This For?
- Youth pastors navigating compensation and career decisions
- Church leaders, boards, and supervisors responsible for staff health
- Denominational leaders shaping compensation philosophy
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Anyone who cares about long-term sustainability in youth ministry
The People Behind the Report
For nine years, the Youth Pastor Compensation Survey has helped bring clarity, data, and advocacy to youth pastors and church leaders across the country. The survey is brought to you by Chemistry Staffing, in association with The Youth Cartel and Download Youth Ministry.
Dan Navarra founded and led this survey for the past nine years, serving as its primary researcher and author. Through this work and his role with Chemistry Staffing, Dan has helped thousands of youth pastors better understand their compensation and navigate healthier, more sustainable ministry careers. This year marks Dan’s final year leading the survey, and we are deeply grateful for his vision, persistence, and advocacy on behalf of youth workers. Special thanks, as always, to Mark Oestreicher of The Youth Cartel for his editorial leadership and steady voice throughout the life of this project.
At its core, this work exists to empower youth workers with clear information and practical tools so they can have honest conversations about compensation, calling, and longevity. We care deeply about youth pastors and the ministries they lead, and we believe fair pay is essential to long-term health for both.
