ORGANIST RECOMMENDED SALARY SCALES 

The Scottish Federation of Organists has recommended that the following scales be used by Churches from the 1st January 2009 to 1st January 2011, when a further review and revision will have taken place.  These salary scales offer an increase of around 10%, bearing in mind that the last recommended salary scale was fixed on the 1st January 2006.  

a) Churches without choirs
Salary £1,450 - £2,240 Deputy Fee £50 (previously: £1,320 - £2,035 / £45)

b) Churches with choirs making an occasional individual contribution to worship
Salary £2,240 - £3,570 Deputy Fee £50 - £65 (previously: £2,035 - £3,245 / £45 - £60)

c) Churches with choirs making a substantial individual contribution to worship
Salary £3,570 - £4,780 Deputy Fee £65 - £90 (previously: £3,245 - £4,345 / £60 - £80)

d) Churches with complete and competent choirs singing full choral services 
Salary £4,780 - £7,140 Deputy Fee £90 - £100 (previously: £4,345 - £6,490 / £80 - £90)

e) Churches employing a full or part time professional director of music with extensive responsibilities are recommended to consider salary scales higher than scale d) 
Salary £7,140+ Deputy Fee £100+ (previously: £6,490+ / £90+)

1. There is a uniform approach to Deputy Fees, these now covering all church services, weddings and funerals.  Different services contain different emphases, but all are important and should receive equal treatment.

2. Recording fees remain unchanged:
The fee + 50% for sound recording
The fee + 100% for video recording

3. These scales are not mandatory.  They provide guidelines for churches throughout Scotland.  


4. If exceptional situations arise, which are not covered by these scales – for example, the number and nature of services within the Anglican and Roman Liturgies, or within Church of Scotland linked charges – then dialogue and negotiation are recommended as ways towards mutual agreement.  Organists should be prepared to be pro-active in such matters and not diffident concerning reference to these scales.

5. These scales exist to provide a working framework and to maintain reasonable standards of remuneration.  If there are musicians who are prepared to accept alternative remuneration, or to offer their services on a voluntary basis, then that is a matter for individual decisions and outwith the scope of these recommendations.

6. Churches that are experiencing financial difficulties or who do not wish to subscribe to these scales should not seek to engage deputies who do expect these scales to be observed.

7. It should not be necessary to emphasise that the labourer be worthy of hire.  Those who benefit from SFO scales should be competent to do so.

8. Copies of current Income Tax information kindly supplied by the Church of Scotland’s Financial Department may be obtained from the SFO Secretary.

9. The current Church of Scotland Contract for Organists is now an extensive document containing sections applying to Duties, Salaries, Hours of Work, Holidays, Sickness Benefits, Expenses, Disciplinary Matters, Redress of Grievances, Protection of Children and Young People, Dress and Worship.  

Not every church will adopt this contract and local variations exist.  These matters should be checked carefully before entering into employment.  Copies of the contract can be obtained from the Church of Scotland Legal Department at 121 George Street, Edinburgh, EH2 4YH (0131 225 5722).