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Associate pastor vs hospital chaplain

The differences between associate pastors and hospital 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 hospital chaplain. Additionally, a hospital chaplain has an average salary of $49,423, 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 hospital chaplain are patients, clinical pastoral, and pastoral care.

Associate pastor vs hospital chaplain overview

Associate PastorHospital Chaplain
Yearly salary$46,081$49,423
Hourly rate$22.15$23.76
Growth rate-6%
Number of jobs4324,343
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 55%Bachelor's Degree, 47%
Average age5151
Years of experience44

Associate pastor vs hospital chaplain salary

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

Associate PastorHospital Chaplain
Average salary$46,081$49,423
Salary rangeBetween $29,000 And $71,000Between $26,000 And $92,000
Highest paying CityFremont, CA-
Highest paying stateWest Virginia-
Best paying companyCalvary Church-
Best paying industryEducation-

Differences between associate pastor and hospital chaplain education

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

Associate PastorHospital Chaplain
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 55%Bachelor's Degree, 47%
Most common majorTheologyTheology
Most common collegeNorth Park UniversityBoston College

Associate pastor vs hospital chaplain demographics

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

Associate PastorHospital Chaplain
Average age5151
Gender ratioMale, 87.6% Female, 12.4%Male, 68.4% Female, 31.6%
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, 12.1% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 9.2% Asian, 6.7% White, 67.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
LGBT Percentage16%16%

Differences between associate pastor and hospital 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

Hospital chaplain example responsibilities.

  • Lead outreach efforts to local faith groups engaging them in the life and ministry opportunities on campus.
  • Conduct spiritual assessments and develop pastoral care plans for assign patients.
  • Minister to cardiac, pediatrics, oncology, mental health, and hospice wards.
  • Show compassion, empathy and care for each patient.
  • Educate patients and families in stress management and facilitate comforting end-of-life conversations.
  • Counsele inmates struggling with a variety of problems including: psychological issues, addiction recovery, abuse recovery, and rehabilitation.
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Associate pastor vs hospital chaplain skills

Common associate pastor skills
  • Community Outreach, 20%
  • Pastoral Care, 12%
  • Oversight, 9%
  • Youth Ministry, 5%
  • Youth Program, 4%
  • Public Speaking, 4%
Common hospital chaplain skills
  • Patients, 30%
  • Clinical Pastoral, 12%
  • Pastoral Care, 11%
  • Spiritual Care, 9%
  • Patient Care, 6%
  • Crisis Intervention, 4%

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