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Chaplain vs hospital chaplain

The differences between chaplains 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 a chaplain and a hospital chaplain. Additionally, a hospital chaplain has an average salary of $49,423, which is higher than the $46,392 average annual salary of a chaplain.

The top three skills for a chaplain include patients, social work and clinical pastoral. The most important skills for a hospital chaplain are patients, clinical pastoral, and pastoral care.

Chaplain vs hospital chaplain overview

ChaplainHospital Chaplain
Yearly salary$46,392$49,423
Hourly rate$22.30$23.76
Growth rate-6%
Number of jobs2,6004,343
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 48%Bachelor's Degree, 47%
Average age5151
Years of experience44

Chaplain vs hospital chaplain salary

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

ChaplainHospital Chaplain
Average salary$46,392$49,423
Salary rangeBetween $25,000 And $83,000Between $26,000 And $92,000
Highest paying CitySan Jose, CA-
Highest paying stateCalifornia-
Best paying companyUofL Hospital-
Best paying industryHealth Care-

Differences between chaplain and hospital chaplain education

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

ChaplainHospital Chaplain
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 48%Bachelor's Degree, 47%
Most common majorTheologyTheology
Most common collegeEmory UniversityBoston College

Chaplain vs hospital chaplain demographics

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

ChaplainHospital Chaplain
Average age5151
Gender ratioMale, 68.3% Female, 31.7%Male, 68.4% Female, 31.6%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 11.8% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 9.0% Asian, 6.6% White, 68.2% 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 chaplain and hospital chaplain duties and responsibilities

Chaplain example responsibilities.

  • Provide full pastoral ministry, visitation and counseling to inmates and incarcerate patients.
  • Participate as members of a psychiatric or rehabilitation team in staff conferences concerning patients and inmates.
  • Perform functions in field and combat environments, combat lifesaver tasks and apply communication skills in crisis/potential suicide intervention.
  • Visit patients/families identify as appropriate for pastoral services and provide direct spiritual counseling, prayer, and ministry as appropriate.
  • Certify in ASIST (suicideprevention )
  • Participate in bi-weekly IDG meetings as part of IDG team.
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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.
  • Show more

Chaplain vs hospital chaplain skills

Common chaplain skills
  • Patients, 21%
  • Social Work, 11%
  • Clinical Pastoral, 10%
  • Spiritual Care, 8%
  • Pastoral Care, 7%
  • Patient Care, 5%
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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