United Methodist women clergy want fair pay: How many make $100,000 or more?
A committee studied salary levels for women clergy.
Mason Reed 
The United Methodist Church is marking a significant milestone this year, celebrating 70 years since the mainline Protestant denomination first authorized the ordination of women in 1956. As that anniversary takes center stage, a growing conversation surrounding pay equity and leadership opportunities for women in the ministry has taken hold across the denomination.
Examining Pay Equity in North Alabama
At the recent annual meeting held at Asbury United Methodist Church in Birmingham, the North Alabama Conference’s Commission on the Status and Role of Women delivered a report detailing the current landscape of clergy compensation. The goal of the research is to determine if women are being placed in higher-paying ministerial roles at the same rate as their male counterparts.
According to the Rev. Christy Noren-Hentz, pastor of Oak Grove and Lineville First United Methodist churches, the data shows positive movement. "We are happy to report we are at parity for 2026 appointments," Noren-Hentz noted. "We need to continue to make parity in appointments a priority for lifting women clergy in churches."
The Numbers Breakdown
The current North Alabama Conference roster includes 165 total clergy members—111 men and 54 women. The report analyzed salary distributions to identify how many ministers are reaching the $100,000-plus compensation tier, which is typically reserved for those leading large congregations or serving in high-level conference administrative roles like district superintendents.
- High Earners ($100k+): 26 men (23 percent) and 9 women (16.7 percent).
- Mid-Range ($70k - $100k): 52 men (46 percent) and 23 women (42.6 percent).
The commission considers the figures in the $70,000 to $100,000 range to be effectively at parity. For those clergy members earning less than $70,000, the conference ensures that all full-time pastors receive at least a minimum salary of approximately $38,000. When individual churches fall short of these salary requirements, the conference utilizes its equitable compensation plan to provide the necessary financial supplements.
