Segment #1: U.S. Base Salary

Your base salary is based on Reliant’s U.S. staff levels and remains the same regardless of where you serve internationally. It reflects shared financial realities for American workers—such as saving for retirement, college, and other long-term needs—that apply no matter your location. This will automatically increase by 5% for every year of tenure.

Segment #2: Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA)

We take one-third of your base salary and adjust it using a COLA percentage. This adjustment reflects the cost of living in your ministry location—higher for expensive cities, lower for more affordable ones. The COLA percentage is based on an average from three cost-of-living websites, and we round the final number up to ensure adequate coverage.

Segment #3: Housing and Utilities

This portion of your salary is based on the real cost of housing and utilities in your ministry location. It helps account for significant differences in housing expenses across regions and reflects the unique needs of each family unit. This approach aligns with typical American budgeting, where housing costs generally make up 30–35% of monthly expenses.

Let’s look at an example of a new Reliant International Worker, who is single, and has an overseas job that is equivalent to a Reliant U.S. worker who would make $30,000/year or $2,500/monthly in the U.S. The table shows the monthly salary breakdown. Below the table you’ll see an explanation of each column and line:

Each location results in a different total salary—even for workers with the same role, tenure, and family situation—because of differences in cost of living and housing expenses.

For a married couples, we determine a household salary, based on individual staff levels, COLA, and joint housing costs. In Table 2, Spouse 1 would make $36,000 in the US based on staff level and Spouse 2 would make $54,000 in the US based on staff level. This is a combined annual salary of $90,000, or $7,500 per month.

We typically divide the household salary based on each spouse’s staff level. If both are at the same level, it’s a 50/50 split. If one spouse’s role accounts for more of the salary—say 40/60—the split reflects that. For example, in Japan, Spouse 1 might receive $3,700 and Spouse 2 $5,550.

We’re also happy to adjust the percentage split if needed—just let us know. Some couples choose a different breakdown for tax reasons or other personal preferences.

Children's Education/Childcare - You may take a stipend equal to the actual cost of enrolling your children in school, homeschooling your children overseas, or obtaining childcare in order for both spouses to fulfill ministry responsibilities. Because this is not eligible as a reimbursement, we must include it in your salary. 

Student Loan Payments - Because many of our workers have obtained professional degrees, yet have sacrificed a more profitable career to serve overseas, they may receive an additional amount per month to cover outstanding student loan payments.

Local Health Insurance Premium - For workers who serve in a country that offers a national health insurance plan, any associated premiums may be included as an additional salary item. For those on Reliant's health insurance, this premium will be added to your monthly support goal later in the worksheet and will come directly from one’s MTD account, not your salary.

Taxes in Country of Service - While most international workers will be exempt from federal income tax, many will owe taxes in the country where they are living an working. You should work with your supervisor to estimate taxes you might owe. If they will be quarterly or annual payments, estimate the cost per month for budgeting purposes.

Ministry Expense Bonus - Full-time workers (30+ hours) may take up to $600/month to cover ministry expenses including local travel, meals and hospitality, internet service, and other miscellaneous items. Part-time workers may take up to $300/month.

Monthly Cell Phone Bonus - Full-time workers (30+ hours) may take up to $100/month to cover their cell phone bill. This is a separate line item on your paystub and is considered non-taxable income.

Based on the above example in Table 1, where the starting monthly salary is $2250

Click the images below to see how it works out on the spreadsheet.

Based on the above example in Table 2, where the starting household salary is $9,250/month.

Auxiliary Expenses are divided between each spouse based on portion of total salary.

Click the images below to see how it works out on the spreadsheet.