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Associate pastor vs hospice chaplain

The differences between associate pastors and hospice chaplains can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both an associate pastor and a hospice chaplain. Additionally, a hospice chaplain has an average salary of $52,027, which is higher than the $46,081 average annual salary of an associate pastor.

The top three skills for an associate pastor include community outreach, pastoral care and oversight. The most important skills for a hospice chaplain are patients, home health, and clinical pastoral.

Associate pastor vs hospice chaplain overview

Associate PastorHospice Chaplain
Yearly salary$46,081$52,027
Hourly rate$22.15$25.01
Growth rate-4%
Number of jobs4329,571
Job satisfaction-4.5
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 55%Master's Degree, 42%
Average age5151
Years of experience44

What does an associate pastor do?

An associate pastor is a church employee who assists the senior pastor with the church's daily operations. His/Her tasks include managing events for church ministries, supervising church volunteers, and assisting with all church services and ceremonies. The skills that an associate pastor should possess to fulfill his/her responsibilities include knowledge of community outreach and youth development and good public speaking skills. The education requirements to qualify for the position include obtaining a college degree in theology or pastoral counsel.

What does a hospice chaplain do?

A Hospice Chaplain provides care and comfort to patients nearing the end of life because of terminal illnesses. They collaborate with the community and the care team to ensure that care is in accord with the patient's faith.

Associate pastor vs hospice chaplain salary

Associate pastors and hospice chaplains have different pay scales, as shown below.

Associate PastorHospice Chaplain
Average salary$46,081$52,027
Salary rangeBetween $29,000 And $71,000Between $35,000 And $76,000
Highest paying CityFremont, CA-
Highest paying stateWest Virginia-
Best paying companyCalvary Church-
Best paying industryEducation-

Differences between associate pastor and hospice chaplain education

There are a few differences between an associate pastor and a hospice chaplain in terms of educational background:

Associate PastorHospice Chaplain
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 55%Master's Degree, 42%
Most common majorTheologyTheology
Most common collegeNorth Park UniversityEmory University

Associate pastor vs hospice chaplain demographics

Here are the differences between associate pastors' and hospice chaplains' demographics:

Associate PastorHospice Chaplain
Average age5151
Gender ratioMale, 87.6% Female, 12.4%Male, 66.6% Female, 33.4%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 11.9% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 9.1% Asian, 6.7% White, 67.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%Black or African American, 11.9% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 9.1% Asian, 6.7% White, 67.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
LGBT Percentage16%16%

Differences between associate pastor and hospice chaplain duties and responsibilities

Associate pastor example responsibilities.

  • Manage and provide oversight for the administration of all ministry areas within the organization.
  • Deliver messages base on the bible.
  • Assist children's outreach including VBS and AWANA.
  • Produce services through media development, PowerPoint, sound system, and print materials.
  • Direct all children and youth ministries, including outreach, VBS, missions, and choirs.
  • Implement a comprehensive prayer strategy.
  • Show more

Hospice chaplain example responsibilities.

  • Provide direct spiritual and emotional support to patients and families depending on their individual spiritual beliefs.
  • Serve on CPE accreditation committee.
  • Work with clinical staff as part of the IDT team.
  • Provide direct supervision and training to CPE students in both a hospital setting and home care setting.
  • Maintain compliance in all documentation per Medicare guidelines.
  • Minister to the correctional facility staff through prayer and encouragement.
  • Show more

Associate pastor vs hospice chaplain skills

Common associate pastor skills
  • Community Outreach, 20%
  • Pastoral Care, 12%
  • Oversight, 9%
  • Youth Ministry, 5%
  • Youth Program, 4%
  • Public Speaking, 4%
Common hospice chaplain skills
  • Patients, 31%
  • Home Health, 15%
  • Clinical Pastoral, 10%
  • Patient Care, 8%
  • Pastoral Care, 5%
  • Spiritual Care, 4%

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