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Associate Chaplain Jobs in Washington, DC (NOW HIRING)

CHAPLAIN PRN

Columbia, MD · On-site

$31/hr

The Chaplain Associate is responsible for assessing spiritual needs and providing expert spiritual care, crisis intervention, and support to patients, their supporting community, and the Howard ...

CHAPLAIN PRN

Columbia, MD · On-site

$31/hr

The Chaplain Associate is responsible for assessing spiritual needs and providing expert spiritual care, crisis intervention, and support to patients, their supporting community, and the Howard ...

The Chaplain Associate is responsible for assessing spiritual needs and providing expert spiritual care, crisis intervention, and support to patients, their support community, and Howard County ...

Associate Chaplain information

See Washington, DC salary details

$32.7K

$71.7K

$110.6K

How much do associate chaplain jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 31, 2026, the average yearly pay for associate chaplain in Washington, DC is $71,741.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $54,700.00 and $90,300.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

How much do chaplain assistants make?

Chaplain assistants typically earn between $25,000 and $45,000 annually, depending on experience, location, and level of responsibility. They often work in military, hospital, or institutional settings and may require security clearances or specialized training.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Associate Chaplain, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Associate Chaplain, you need a background in theology or divinity, experience in pastoral care, and often an ordination or endorsement from a faith community. Familiarity with electronic medical records, crisis intervention protocols, and spiritual assessment tools is typically required. Compassion, active listening, and cultural sensitivity are crucial soft skills for supporting individuals of diverse backgrounds during challenging times. These abilities ensure effective spiritual support and holistic care within healthcare or institutional settings.

What is the difference between Associate Chaplain vs Chaplain?

AspectAssociate ChaplainChaplain
Required CredentialsTypically requires a master's degree in theology or divinity, and ordination or certificationSimilar credentials, often with additional experience or higher certification
Work EnvironmentHospitals, military, prisons, or educational institutionsHospitals, military, prisons, religious organizations, or community settings
Employer & Industry UsageOften employed in larger organizations supporting chaplaincy servicesWidely used across various institutions providing spiritual care

Both Associate Chaplains and Chaplains require similar educational backgrounds and certifications, and they often work in comparable environments. The main difference lies in experience level and responsibilities, with Associate Chaplains typically serving in supporting roles while Chaplains hold more senior or independent positions.

How to become an associate chaplain?

To become an associate chaplain, candidates typically need a bachelor's degree in a related field such as theology, religious studies, or counseling, followed by relevant experience or internship in spiritual care. Many positions also require certification or ordination from a religious organization and strong interpersonal skills to provide support in various settings like hospitals, military, or prisons.

What does an associate chaplain do?

An associate chaplain provides spiritual support, counseling, and religious services within institutions such as hospitals, military units, or prisons. They assist senior chaplains, conduct religious ceremonies, and offer emotional support to individuals of diverse faiths, often requiring relevant certifications and interpersonal skills.

What are Associate Chaplains?

Associate Chaplains are trained professionals who provide spiritual care, guidance, and support in settings such as hospitals, universities, prisons, or the military. They work alongside lead chaplains and other staff to address the spiritual and emotional needs of individuals from diverse backgrounds and faith traditions. Their duties often include counseling, leading worship services, facilitating spiritual discussions, and offering crisis intervention. Associate Chaplains help create a compassionate, inclusive environment for those facing difficult situations.

What is the highest paying chaplain job?

The highest paying chaplain roles are often in healthcare, military, or corporate settings, with military chaplains typically earning higher salaries due to additional benefits and security clearances. Senior or specialized chaplains with advanced certifications and extensive experience can also command higher salaries, especially in federal or large institutional environments.

What are some common challenges faced by Associate Chaplains in supporting diverse spiritual needs within an institution?

Associate Chaplains often serve individuals from a variety of religious, spiritual, and cultural backgrounds. A common challenge is ensuring that each person's beliefs and practices are respected while providing appropriate support and resources. This requires strong listening skills, cultural competency, and flexibility in approach. Additionally, Associate Chaplains must navigate institutional policies and collaborate with other staff to create an inclusive environment for all faiths, which can be both rewarding and complex.
What are the most commonly searched types of Chaplain jobs in Washington, DC? The most popular types of Chaplain jobs in Washington, DC are:
What are popular job titles related to Associate Chaplain jobs in Washington, DC? For Associate Chaplain jobs in Washington, DC, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Associate Chaplain jobs in Washington, DC look for? The top searched job categories for Associate Chaplain jobs in Washington, DC are:
Infographic showing various Associate Chaplain job openings in Washington, DC as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 50% Full Time, and 50% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $71,741 per year, or $34.5 per hour.

$31/hr

Part-time

Re-posted 15 days ago


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Job description

The Chaplain Associate is responsible for assessing spiritual needs and providing expert spiritual care, crisis intervention, and support to patients, their supporting community, and the Howard County Medical Center team members, under the direction of the Director of Spiritual Care and Chaplaincy. The chaplain offers emotional and spiritual support from an interfaith perspective without imposing the chaplain's religious orientation on diverse religious, spiritual, and cultural backgrounds.
Effective communication with patients, families, and employees during crises requires strong interpersonal skills. Demonstrates spiritual care and chaplaincy practice that reflects the Standards of Practice and Common Competencies for Professional Chaplains and the Common Code of Ethics for Spiritual Care Professionals.
Provides on-call services for the hospital as needed.
Work Location: Columbia, M.D.
PRN Rotating Shift. This position requires working as needed and PRN status, including days, evenings, nights, weekends, and holidays.
Education:
Completion of a Master of Divinity degree or equivalent from an accredited Theological School.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
Proficiency in spiritual care, which is generally attained through a minimum of two units of Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) program offered by the Association of Clinical Pastoral Education (ACPE), the National Association of Catholic Chaplains (NACC), or the National Association of Jewish Chaplains (NAJC). Four units of CPE preferred.
Basic Computer skills required.
Salary Range: Minimum $31.00/hour - Maximum $31.00/hour. Compensation will be commensurate with equity and experience for roles of similar scope and responsibility.
In cases where the range is displayed as a $0 amount, salary discussions will occur during candidate screening calls, before any subsequent compensation discussion is held between the candidate and any hiring authority.
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Diversity and Inclusion are Johns Hopkins Medicine Core Values. We are committed to creating a welcoming and inclusive environment, where we embrace and celebrate our differences, where all employees feel valued, contribute to our mission of serving the community, and engage in equitable healthcare delivery and workforce practices.
Johns Hopkins Health System and its affiliates are drug-free workplace employers.
Johns Hopkins Health System and its affiliates are an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, age, national origin, mental or physical disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other status protected by federal, state, or local law.

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