Supply Clergy Compensation Guidelines
Updated January 2024
The list below attempts to detail best practices and norms for both the expectations of the priest and the congregation for the services provided. Dollar amounts are an hourly rate based on the diocesan minimum salary divided by 40 hours/week ($34.00 per hour), based on 2024 minimum guidelines of $70,788/year. The amounts presented are intended to be minimum compensation rates (rounded). Effective January 1, 2024, the new mileage rate is $0.67/mile.
Note: It is a best practice that if a church cancels with a supply clergyperson less than one week in advance, full payment should be made to that clergyperson.
THE HOLY EUCHARIST
Liturgical preparation................... 1 hour
(Includes preparation of liturgy; bulletin; working with musicians, altar guild, acolytes)
Sermon preparation..................... 5 hours
Eucharist/liturgy............................ 2 hours
Total............................................ 8 hours | $272, plus mileage
HOLY BAPTISM
Baptismal preparation.................. 3 to 10 hours
Liturgical preparation.................... 2 hours
(Includes preparation of liturgy; working with parents, altar guild, godparents, musicians, florists; preparing readers, etc.)
Rehearsal......................................... 1 hour
Baptism day..................................... 2 hours
Total.............................................. 8 to 15 hours | $272 to $510, plus mileage
(Does not include hours for being celebrant/preacher)
THE CELEBRATION AND BLESSING OF A MARRIAGE
Premarital Counseling................... 4 to 6 hours
Liturgical Preparation.................... 3 to 5 hours
(Includes preparation of liturgy; working with musicians, florists, altar guild, wedding guild, wedding coordinators, preparing readers, etc.)
Sermon preparation...................... 2 to 4 hours
Rehearsal........................................ 2 hours
Day of wedding.............................. 2 to 4 hours
Total............................................ 13 to 20 hours | $442 to $680 plus mileage
CONFIRMATION
Confirmation preparation.......... 3 to 10 hours
Liturgical preparation................. 3 hours
(Includes coordination with the Bishop; preparation of liturgy and bulletin; working with musicians, altar guild, acolytes, confirmands and families)
Confirmation day........................ 3 hours
Total.......................................... 9 to 16 hours | $306 to $544, plus mileage
(Does not include hours for being celebrant/preacher)
MINISTRATION TO THE SICK
Travel............................................ 0.5 to 1 hour
(Includes transportation to and from hospital or home)
Visit............................................... 0.5 to 1 hour
(Includes pastoral counseling, spiritual guidance, Sacrament of Penance, prayer)
Total......................................... 1 to 2 hours | $34 to $68, plus mileage
BURIAL OF THE DEAD
Pastoral care (for the family) .... 2 to 4 hours
(Includes at least two visits to the home of the family, one before the funeral and one after the burial)
Liturgical preparation................ 3 hours
(Includes coordination with the funeral home, altar guild, acolytes, and readers)
Burial Rite.................................... 2 hours
Committal.................................... 0.5 to 1 hour
Total......................................... 7.5 to 10 hours | $255 to $340, plus mileage
(Does not include hours for being celebrant/preacher)