What’s Inside the Executive Pastor Salary Guide

This guide helps pastors and boards bring clarity to one of the most critical leadership decisions in the modern church.

Inside, you’ll find:

• A brief, historically grounded look at how the Executive Pastor role emerged

• Clear descriptions of the leadership tensions churches face at different sizes

• Defined Executive Pastor capacity levels (Operator, Integrator, Executive)

• Practical salary ranges tied to church size and organizational complexity

• Plain-language explanations of what churches should expect at each pay band

• Guidance on when to hire, train, or expand executive leadership

• Next steps for churches navigating growth, transition, or complexity

If vision is moving faster than structure, this guide will help you name the moment—and choose the right response.