The 2018-2019 Layman’s Salary Study is available now at alsbom.org/ccs. Click on the Resources tab. To obtain more data concerning a particular position, click on the national study at the same website. There you can select one state, certain states or all states.

Observations about the 2018 Study:

Nationally, Full-Time Pastors received a 3.8% raise compared to 4.6% inflation over a two-year period. When benefits are also considered, the increase is 4.4%. In Alabama, FT pastors received a larger increase and are ahead of the national average in salary and housing, but are about 10% behind in benefits.

Bivocational pastors are 10% behind in salary and 45% behind in benefits compared to the national average. There was a slight salary decrease over the past two years.

Nationally, other ministerial staff received a 1.5% increase over two years. In Alabama, staff ministers received a 6% increase over two years ahead of their national counterparts.

Here is the link to the 2018 LifeWay Research report: https://lifewayresearch.com/2018/08/30/sbc-pastor-salaries-not-keeping-pace-with-inflation/

Also, the Social Security Administration has just announced that the cost of living adjustment to begin in January will be 2.8%. Many churches use this as an indication of inflation for the year and one of the factors in determining raises for the new year.

For more information, please contact State Missionary Lee Wright at 1-800-264-1225, ext. 241, or (334) 613-2241, [email protected].