It is recommended that appropriate compensation, to include salary and benefits, be offered to church organists and choir directors. Although suggested ranges are included below, the actual salary which a particular parish can offer will depend on many factors in addition to the qualification level of the musician, including such things as size of the church, setting (urban – rural), attendance at services, and budget. The scales included below are not binding on parishes of the Diocese. These recommendations should not impede the freedom of a talented parishioner from offering his or her services on a volunteer basis or the freedom of a parish or mission to accept such services.
The Liturgy and Music Committee suggests that parishes consider the salary recommendations of the Association of Anglican Musicians (AAM), included along with appropriate certification level identified by the American Guild of Organists (AGO) in the following chart, in developing compensation packages for organists and choir directors.
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Suggested Salary for Church Organists and Choir Directors These figures do not include benefits which may increase the base salary 25% – 35%. (2003 Base Salary) |
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| Average Hours per week |
Service Playing Certificate |
BA* or CAGO Certificate |
MA* or AAGO Certificate |
Ph.D.* or FAGO |
| Full Time (40):: |
$29,680 – 33,152 |
$35,616 – 42,560 |
$41,440 – 48,160 |
$56,000 – 60,346 |
| ¾ Time (30) |
$20,160 – 29,680 |
$24,640 – 35,616 |
$30,240 – 41,440 |
$44,800 – 52,640 |
| ½ Time (20) |
$14,224 – 20,720 |
$20,160 – 25,200 |
$21,280 – 30,240 |
$25,780 – 39,200 |
| 3/8 Time (15) |
$10,388 – 17,840 |
$12,992 – 19,292 |
$15,344 – 22,400 |
$22,400 – 27,216 |
¼ Time (10) |
$8,960 – 10,640 |
$10,220 – 13,356 |
$11,200 – 15,680 |
$17,920 – 18,088 |
*Major in Organ, Sacred Music, or related field. AGO certification levels: CAGO – Colleague of the AGO, AAGO – Associate of the AGO, FAGO – Fellow of the AGO.
In addition to salary, the following benefits can be considered for musicians and organists
Substitute Musicians: Church Service, Organist only $50 – 125
Church Service, Organist/Director $150 – 275
Additional Duplicate Services add 50%
Weddings: $150 – $350, additional if rehearsals are required.
Funerals: $100 – $225, depending on the difficulty of the music and participation of choirs, instrumentalists, etc.
It is suggested that programs designed to promote education programs for young musicians be promulgated by the Diocese. Such programs should emphasize the potential rewards, both spiritual and economic, of becoming professional church musicians, especially organists.