Salary of a Baptist Preschool Minister

Preschool ministries often offer discounted rates to church members.

To promote Christian education and learning, many churches hold a preschool ministry---that is, a daytime early education program for preschool-aged children. The program teaches bible study and promotes readiness for grade school. In a Baptist preschool ministry, the director is the leader and the individual who organizes the program, while preschool teachers provide the children with instruction.

Preschool Ministry Director Salary

Baptist preschool ministry directors fall under the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistic's standard occupational classification, "Directors, Religious Activities and Education." As of May 2010, a religious education director's average annual salary was $40,600, and his median annual salary was $36,170. There is large variation between the lowest 10 percent of earners, who earned $18,520 in salary each year, and the highest 10 percent of earners, who earned $69,520 in salary each year, according to the bureau.

Variations in Director's Salary

The religious education director's salary varies by location. In West Virginia, the highest-paying state, salaries averaged $83,000 per year. Salaries were also high in Kansas, Tennessee, South Carolina and Washington, with salaries averaging between $63,000 and $71,000. In some states, such as Montana and Hawaii, salaries were significantly lower, averaging between $25,000 and $27,000. The vast majority, about 80 percent, of preschool ministry directors work in religious organizations, where salaries averaged $38,020. A religious education director may also work in elementary and secondary schools, for the federal government or for other industries. Although it is far less common practice, churches in private schools and government organizations, such as military programs, sometimes offer preschool ministries. Religious directors in schools averaged $39,870 each year; and those in the federal government averaged $93,030 annually, the bureau reports. The size of the church and the amount of funding the church has may also impact the religious education director's earnings.

Preschool Ministry Teacher Salary

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, preschool teachers averaged $29,200 in salary each year. This salary figure includes all preschool teachers, except those who teach special education. Teachers at the Baptist ministry would fall under preschool teachers who work for religious organizations; which is a sub-industry under this occupation. Religious preschool teachers averaged $30,680 in salary per year, earning a slightly higher average salary than broad occupation as a whole.

Variations in Teacher's Salary

The religious preschool teacher's salary varies by experience. The teacher's salary likely increases as she gains more experience. Also, churches and education programs with more funding are likely able to pay teachers higher salaries. The preschool teacher's salary varies by location. Average salaries range from over $48,000 in some area of Texas and Kentucky to around $22,000 in some areas of North and South Carolina, according to the bureau.

References

• Fruit Cove Baptist Curch: Preschool Ministry
• United States Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2010 21-2021 Directors, Religious Activities and Education
• United States Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2010 25-2011 Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education