Chaplain vs priest

The differences between chaplains and priests 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 priest. Additionally, a chaplain has an average salary of $46,392, which is higher than the $44,712 average annual salary of a priest.

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

Chaplain vs priest overview

	Chaplain	Priest
Yearly salary	$46,392	$44,712
Hourly rate	$22.30	$21.50
Growth rate	-	-
Number of jobs	2,600	80
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 48%	Bachelor's Degree, 45%
Average age	51	51
Years of experience	4	4

Chaplain vs priest salary

Chaplains and priests have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Chaplain	Priest
Average salary	$46,392	$44,712
Salary range	Between $25,000 And $83,000	Between $24,000 And $82,000
Highest paying City	San Jose, CA	Campbell, CA
Highest paying state	California	Maine
Best paying company	UofL Hospital	Prime Healthcare
Best paying industry	Health Care	Non Profits

Differences between chaplain and priest education

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

	Chaplain	Priest
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 48%	Bachelor's Degree, 45%
Most common major	Theology	Theology
Most common college	Emory University	Emory University

Chaplain vs priest demographics

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

	Chaplain	Priest
Average age	51	51
Gender ratio	Male, 68.3% Female, 31.7%	Male, 71.1% Female, 28.9%
Race ratio	Black 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, 11.7% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 9.0% Asian, 6.6% White, 68.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
LGBT Percentage	16%	16%

Differences between chaplain and priest 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.

Priest example responsibilities.

Lead Jr and Sr high youth ministries.
Commence a teleconference prayer program to serve church members and the community.
Engage and encourage urban working class congregation through preaching, prayer and share community service.
Participate in all phases of parish life in assignments in inner city, suburban, and rural parishes.
Serve, support and encourage the pastoral leadership by providing oversight of the spiritual health and care of the church body.
Develop and participate in leadership workshops for new leaders and assist new leaders in assuming leadership responsibilities.

Chaplain vs priest skills

Common chaplain skills

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

Common priest skills

Pastoral Care, 28%
Spiritual Care, 13%
Educational Programs, 7%
Financial Statements, 6%
CPE, 6%
Spiritual Support, 5%