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Imam vs chaplain

The differences between imams and 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 imam and a chaplain. Additionally, a chaplain has an average salary of $46,392, which is higher than the $34,533 average annual salary of an imam.

Imam vs chaplain overview

ImamChaplain
Yearly salary$34,533$46,392
Hourly rate$16.60$22.30
Growth rate--
Number of jobs2622,600
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 50%Bachelor's Degree, 48%
Average age5151
Years of experience44

Imam vs chaplain salary

Imams and chaplains have different pay scales, as shown below.

ImamChaplain
Average salary$34,533$46,392
Salary rangeBetween $24,000 And $48,000Between $25,000 And $83,000
Highest paying CityNew York, NYSan Jose, CA
Highest paying stateMinnesotaCalifornia
Best paying companyMount Sinai Health SystemUofL Hospital
Best paying industry-Health Care

Differences between imam and chaplain education

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

ImamChaplain
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 50%Bachelor's Degree, 48%
Most common majorReligionTheology
Most common collegeEmory UniversityEmory University

Imam vs chaplain demographics

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

ImamChaplain
Average age5151
Gender ratioMale, 94.3% Female, 5.7%Male, 68.3% Female, 31.7%
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, 11.8% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 9.0% Asian, 6.6% White, 68.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
LGBT Percentage16%16%

Differences between imam and chaplain duties and responsibilities

Imam example responsibilities.

  • Manage and provide oversight for the administration of all ministry areas within the organization.
  • Lead Eid prayers and deliver khutbah.
  • Represent HIC on interfaith platforms as speaker and/or panelist.
  • Collaborate weekly with interdisciplinary team to facilitate an appropriate plan of care for patients and their caregivers.
  • Participate in IDT meetings and document clinical notes using the computerized system.

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.
  • Show more

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