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Minister vs hospital chaplain

The differences between ministers 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 minister and a hospital chaplain. Additionally, a hospital chaplain has an average salary of $49,423, which is higher than the $42,866 average annual salary of a minister.

The top three skills for a minister include community outreach, pastoral care and bible studies. The most important skills for a hospital chaplain are patients, clinical pastoral, and pastoral care.

Minister vs hospital chaplain overview

MinisterHospital Chaplain
Yearly salary$42,866$49,423
Hourly rate$20.61$23.76
Growth rate-6%
Number of jobs1854,343
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 59%Bachelor's Degree, 47%
Average age5151
Years of experience44

Minister vs hospital chaplain salary

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

MinisterHospital Chaplain
Average salary$42,866$49,423
Salary rangeBetween $31,000 And $58,000Between $26,000 And $92,000
Highest paying CityWashington, DC-
Highest paying stateDelaware-
Best paying companyNew Life Community Church-
Best paying industryNon Profits-

Differences between minister and hospital chaplain education

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

MinisterHospital Chaplain
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 59%Bachelor's Degree, 47%
Most common majorTheologyTheology
Most common collegeEmory UniversityBoston College

Minister vs hospital chaplain demographics

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

MinisterHospital Chaplain
Average age5151
Gender ratioMale, 71.3% Female, 28.7%Male, 68.4% Female, 31.6%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 12.0% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 9.2% Asian, 6.7% White, 67.6% 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 minister and hospital chaplain duties and responsibilities

Minister example responsibilities.

  • Lead the community in a Eucharistic prayer service, providing theological reflection every Monday and throughout the summer.
  • Lead church to incorporate a vision for integrating evangelistic and discipleship efforts.
  • Introduce young people to Christ; disciple them in spiritual growth; train them in serving Christ with their life.
  • Conduct other teaching assignments and conduct gospel meetings.
  • Serve as overseer of all ministries and mission assignments.
  • Promote understanding of the gospel by working with church members.
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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.
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Minister vs hospital chaplain skills

Common minister skills
  • Community Outreach, 15%
  • Pastoral Care, 12%
  • Bible Studies, 8%
  • Student Ministry, 8%
  • Public Speaking, 6%
  • Oversight, 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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