Avg. Chaplain salary rate

I am wondering if the Average Chaplain Salary listed here is the actual base pay rate---what I consider to be the actual salary, or, is it including the average TOTAL salary that could include the overtime from emergency on-calls.
What is the average base salary for Hospital Chaplains?

Hi,

It depends. Normally chaplains have a fixed salary so you do not get paid extra for on call. This salaries here are very accurate.

My husband is a full-time chaplain and his salary is only $36,000. He gets extra for overtime/on-calls but it is no where near the avg. salary listed here. If it was, he would be on-call every other day!!!

It depends where your husband works. Is it a Nursing home or hospice. Nomally they do not pay much. It is different if it is a hospital.

I AM SEEKING A PASTOR &/OR CHAPLAIN JOB.

MRE- RELIGIOUS ED; BA- RELIGIOUS STUDIES; AA- SOC.SCI

DIPLOMA- FITNESS-NUTRITION... MT.6.33 AMEN.

Hi- wow I missed your reply. He works at a hospital, not a hospice or nursing home. Also, since then almost all overtime pay has been cut.

Furthermore, his TAKE-HOME pay for 2 weeks is about $1100.00 after all the deductions for healthcare and all. Not that he intends to leave, but I just think that is lousy- especially since he went to college for engineering, then got a masters in divinity and (went 2 more years for another masters in theology but couldn't finish at the time and place) then did the chaplain training and is certified ---it is just tough financially for us
and I think he is underpaid. DO YOU???

Does anyone believe that he or she is overpaid?

When I worked as a hospice Chaplain in '07 I was paid $23 an hour plus a housing allowance and they paid half of my medical insurance.

Today I work w/ a different Hospice Co. (still in San Antonio, TX.), and make $28 an hour with no housing allowance and they pay for all my medical insurance. no 401k either

It must be very difficult for you and your husband with only 1,100 take home. I'm single and that pay would not cut it for me.

Hi Jossh- Thank you very kindly for the info. That helps - a lot.
It is tough!!! Your empathy helps even more. :)
(I hope Jack is NOT a chaplain or considering it!)

Sarah said: Hi Jossh- Thank you very kindly for the info. That helps - a lot.
It is tough!!! Your empathy helps even more. :)
(I hope Jack is NOT a chaplain or considering it!)

Hi Sarah, I can really empathize with what you are saying. I am a chaplain also, and the pay is absolutely disgraceful. I worked in hospice for many years. In Pennsylvania, the salary range was around $36,000 - to $37,000 and no pay for on-call. If you worked on call you were expected to take the hours off on another day, however there was never time to take off because of the case load. I then moved to Ohio and was a Chaplain there and the salary was a little higher for hospice - $42,000 - $43,000 with on-call pay. Because of personal reasons, I had to return to PA via a transfer with the company, they maintained my salary but there was no on-call pay, mileage was only 41 cents per mileand the on-call hours were unbelievable, so I changed jobs and now am a chaplain for another type of healthcare and the pay absolutely stinks $40,000 with a take home of $1200 bi-weekly with no on-call and less wear and tear on my car which is a 2007 Honda with 85,000 miles. After 4-5 years of seminary, a Masters-in-Divinity, I have a shared office, shared computer, and so it is! These companies will answer to God one day!

Hi- I appreciate your post. I helps to know what others are ACTUALLY earning because my husbands salary is less than what this site says it should be and my original intent was to find answers to this.

And, of course, your empathy is appreciated :)

Hang in there. Yeah, he has a VERY cramped office too, I think that is everywhere though, that actually does not bother him because I asked him recently!

Where his residency was the office was near the trash for the cafeteria and it was way down some dimly lit-creepy-lonely corridor near biohazzard signs and it felt like it was a tiny corner closet in the basement-- so it can be worse!!! :)

I've been both a hospital chaplain and a hospice chaplain and have 11 years combined experience. In every position I've had hourly pay and only work 32 hours a pay period. I have never made anywhere near the figures listed here but have always had enough. Still, I remember talking at a staff meeting years ago about our salaries. At that time I worked for a Catholic hospital and said I felt they expected us to take a vow of poverty! The nun on staff said she had taken a vow of poverty and felt that the pay was too low! I challenged the Personnel department to compare our pay with other hospitals and as a result they gave us a 6% raise.

I find the rewards of the position to outweigh the lower pay. I love the freedom and opportunity to help others but sometimes the pay doesn't quite outweigh the stress . . .

The pay for chaplains depends on where you live and who you work for. If you work in the California State Chaplain's system the average pay is $47,000 with civil service status. This means you have vestment, medical, retirement 401k, and per diem for travel .54 cents per mile. If you check out the website for the State of California Chaplains you can see the pay scale. GREAT CAUTION! YOU WILL EARN EVERY PENNY! THE WORK LOAD IS AWLFULLY AND IT'S VERY, VERY STRESSFUL.

If you are a Chaplain, you are not supposed to be worried about making a paycheck to keep up with the Joneses. Even if they gave you 12.00 an hour, as long as you have enough for a roof over your head and food, and you have the opportunity to serve the Lord 24/7, what is there to worry about?

Because some chaplains don't make enough to keep a roof over their head!!!!!

John in Calgary, Alberta said: If you are a Chaplain, you are not supposed to be worried about making a paycheck to keep up with the Joneses. Even if they gave you 12.00 an hour, as long as you have enough for a roof over your head and food, and you have the opportunity to serve the Lord 24/7, what is there to worry about?

I'm always amused when people and employers believe that anyone who ministers to serve God by serving His people should expect to be ripped off by their employer.

I make it very clear to anyone I work for that I expect and deserve the same treatment as any other MA degreed professional applying for a job. That I do this for My Lord does not give them a license to abuse and minimize my value as a great asset to their MONEY MAKING company.

our other neighbor lived in a trailer but she just got special help from the gov. and got a beautiful home built. My husband makes a few thousand too much to qualify. We both have food allergies and must spend a ton of extra $ on food--it is very difficult. Plus, the new house we bought is a total lemon and we were frauded--the builder was unlicensed and did his own electrical work and there are problems with the foundation failing and all kinds of problems and it has been an absolute nightmare so again, John in Calgary's comments could not be more off base.

I thank God for all of you,may the lord God bless you today and always.i know you all work hurt for chaplain job ,i know is spiritually job i pray God continually bless you and protect you all.i am also seeking chaplain job,i have doctor degree bibles studies,also i am a pastor

John in Calgary, Alberta said: If you are a Chaplain, you are not supposed to be worried about making a paycheck to keep up with the Joneses. Even if they gave you 12.00 an hour, as long as you have enough for a roof over your head and food, and you have the opportunity to serve the Lord 24/7, what is there to worry about?

Those are my feeling exactly. I though people become Chaplains to help people, and to help serve the Lord. It seems like people are only caring about the money.

The Bible says that the laborer is worthy of his hire. All the wrong people are appreciated it seems in this culture. People that do the greatest work are seemingly paid the least. Pastors, counselors, chaplains. Sorry, idealistic dreamers, but barely having enough- is not enough. You need $ to pay for the kid's braces. You need $ to take the injured dog to the vet. You need $ to see the dentist about that broken tooth. Need I say more. And if you think that God is all about being poor, take a look at the Tabernacle. Wow! That place was full of bling.

JoAnn in Rockwall, Texas said: The Bible says that the laborer is worthy of his hire. All the wrong people are appreciated it seems in this culture. People that do the greatest work are seemingly paid the least. Pastors, counselors, chaplains. Sorry, idealistic dreamers, but barely having enough- is not enough. You need $ to pay for the kid's braces. You need $ to take the injured dog to the vet. You need $ to see the dentist about that broken tooth. Need I say more. And if you think that God is all about being poor, take a look at the Tabernacle. Wow! That place was full of bling.

I understand where you are coming from. Well I just feel that Blessings does not always come in $ signs. The Lord has always made a way, Especially considering that he knows what we need before we do. Poor is a state of mind. .. Tabernacle is only a building made by man. Reality begins with a dream, are made out of ideas....The Lord is Our Source of Prosperity.....

Jastam in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania said: Hi Sarah, I can really empathize with what you are saying. I am a chaplain also, and the pay is absolutely disgraceful. I worked in hospice for many years. In Pennsylvania, the salary range was around $36,000 - to $37,000 and no pay for on-call. If you worked on call you were expected to take the hours off on another day, however there was never time to take off because of the case load. I then moved to Ohio and was a Chaplain there and the salary was a little higher for hospice - $42,000 - $43,000 with on-call pay. Because of personal reasons, I had to return to PA via a transfer with the company, they maintained my salary but there was no on-call pay, mileage was only 41 cents per mileand the on-call hours were unbelievable, so I changed jobs and now am a chaplain for another type of healthcare and the pay absolutely stinks $40,000 with a take home of $1200 bi-weekly with no on-call and less wear and tear on my car which is a 2007 Honda with 85,000 miles. After 4-5 years of seminary, a Masters-in-Divinity, I have a shared office, shared computer, and so it is! These companies will answer to God one day!

Hi friends, I am a Chaplain as well and I do not make a whole lot. However, I had to learn to live on less and do what God has called me to do. I could make more as a Church pastor, but Chaplaincy isn't about money or gain. It is about being God's representative in areas where we are needed. I have a family of 4 and my wife works as well. We don't have new things usually and live in an older home, but I couldn't be happier.
God Bless you all.

John in Calgary, Alberta said: If you are a Chaplain, you are not supposed to be worried about making a paycheck to keep up with the Joneses. Even if they gave you 12.00 an hour, as long as you have enough for a roof over your head and food, and you have the opportunity to serve the Lord 24/7, what is there to worry about?

Amen! anyone who gets into this profession for anything other than that is an actor!

amen.....

Hi All,
I'M LOOKING INTO BECOMING A CHAPLAIN TOO.
DOES ANYONE WORK AS ONE IN ANY HOSPITAL IN NEW YORK CITY?
AND WHAT IS THE PAY THERE? THANKS ELLEN HOPEFUL & PRAYING THIS WILL WORK FOR ME

I agree with the sentiments of many here that chaplains are not supposed to be focused on the pay they are getting. They are supposed to be focused on being obedient to God. What many are missing is that all of us, even chaplains and pastors are commanded to provide for our families. Sometimes that means comparing pay at other companies and locations and making wise changes. Doing so is not selfish or greedy in any way. It has it's place on the hierarchy of godly priorities.

Chaplains make what the market dictates and according to the value that the administration deem that we bring to the organization. This seems to me to be right around 40k on average (add 30% for government chaplains). This about the same for parish ministers in my denomination who are coming out of seminary. We will not be paid the same as others with masters degrees, nor have we (or will we) ever. Many social workers and educators make similar salaries depending on where they work. Is this fair compensation? I suppose that depends on your perspective, but it IS reality and that should be understood PRIOR to choosing this profession. That being said, it's not really helpful to judge someone for wanting to be able to feed their kids.

thanks all for followups 2 my concern about salary - 4 me what you estimated will b a sacrifice but doable - i am going 2 go 4 it ! please say prayers for me - thanks ellen e - cold spring ny

K..... in Detroit, Michigan said: Those are my feeling exactly. I though people become Chaplains to help people, and to help serve the Lord. It seems like people are only caring about the money.

Did you ever stop and think how much money has to be paid back for student loans to have a masters degree as a chaplain. Its not about the money to keep up with the Jonses. It about the money to be able to pay our bills. Just like the rest of america.

Friends,
All these are great concerns. I have a family to feed as well. To be honest from some of the answers I am reading through many are filled with hatred and quick judgement. In Chaplaincy those are not complimentary and I would say, if you are called to serve then God will take care of you. Work a second job if you have too, (Paul did whatever it took to preach the Gospel) just make sure you are doing what is needed. Have a great day in the Lord!

Just thought I would let Jesus do the talking... Matt. 6:31-33 - "Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof."

I like that, thank you!

so true.

jossh in Helotes, Texas said: I'm always amused when people and employers believe that anyone who ministers to serve God by serving His people should expect to be ripped off by their employer.

I make it very clear to anyone I work for that I expect and deserve the same treatment as any other MA degreed professional applying for a job. That I do this for My Lord does not give them a license to abuse and minimize my value as a great asset to their MONEY MAKING company.

First Seek the kingdom of heaven, and everything shall be added into you. God wants you to know if you are truly letting Him take the reigns of finances in true surrender. This is not about seeking pragmatic reality but rather about your personal relationship with God. This means also tithing while one is in debt, having the courage to put the Lord First. As a chaplain your duty is to set the example for your congregation. Take this opportunity to be humbled and remember we serve out of gratitude because he has saved us first, not because we need to do works to reach salvation. Now this seems obvious with salvation but this concept of surrendering the need to earn for works applies to taking care of everyday needs as a principle allowing the Lord to provide for you. Geylt into prayer and seek to strengthen the relationship with Him and it is about accepting being broken because all of us have fallen short of the glory of God. We need not judge ourselves with regards to our ability to provide because it is NOT about you providing but rather about letting the Lord provide and living in surrender and following him.

It is amazing how the Lird has patience to love us through these endless mistakes. Jesus kicked the tables of the money changers. Stress of finances? He gave you salvation. You have the opportunity to share the good news that works is not needed for salvation but the simple acceptance of Jesus' sacrifice. First seek the kingdom of Heaven and pray for forgiveness for feeling angry and stressed over finances when your salvation has been completed for you. Your life is already fulfilling bringing all those who wish to hear the good news and knowing that you cannot repay this kindness should help in this seeking his kingdom daily to deepen your relationship that is there offered so generously to you.