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College chaplain vs associate pastor

The differences between college chaplains and associate pastors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a college chaplain and an associate pastor. Additionally, an associate pastor has an average salary of $46,081, which is higher than the $36,110 average annual salary of a college chaplain.

College chaplain vs associate pastor overview

College ChaplainAssociate Pastor
Yearly salary$36,110$46,081
Hourly rate$17.36$22.15
Growth rate--
Number of jobs3,337432
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeMaster's Degree, 53%Bachelor's Degree, 55%
Average age5151
Years of experience44

College chaplain vs associate pastor salary

College chaplains and associate pastors have different pay scales, as shown below.

College ChaplainAssociate Pastor
Average salary$36,110$46,081
Salary rangeBetween $24,000 And $52,000Between $29,000 And $71,000
Highest paying City-Fremont, CA
Highest paying state-West Virginia
Best paying company-Calvary Church
Best paying industry-Education

Differences between college chaplain and associate pastor education

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

College ChaplainAssociate Pastor
Most common degreeMaster's Degree, 53%Bachelor's Degree, 55%
Most common majorTheologyTheology
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaNorth Park University

College chaplain vs associate pastor demographics

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

College ChaplainAssociate Pastor
Average age5151
Gender ratioMale, 70.0% Female, 30.0%Male, 87.6% Female, 12.4%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 8.7% Unknown, 3.8% Hispanic or Latino, 6.9% Asian, 5.3% White, 74.8% 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 college chaplain and associate pastor duties and responsibilities

College chaplain example responsibilities.

  • Develop, provide oversight and lead all ministries for middle school and high school students and their parents.
  • Counsele inmates struggling with a variety of problems including: psychological issues, addiction recovery, abuse recovery, and rehabilitation.
  • Develop all graphics and designs for sermon PowerPoint presentations and ministry events.

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

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