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Buddhist Chaplain Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Regions Hospital is seeking a Chaplain to join our team! Chaplains provide Spiritual Care and ... Study under Buddhist lineage, Rabbinic, or Islamic study). * 4 units of Clinical Pastoral Education ...

New

Regions Hospital is seeking a Chaplain to join our team! Chaplains provide Spiritual Care and ... Study under Buddhist lineage, Rabbinic, or Islamic study). * 4 units of Clinical Pastoral Education ...

New

Buddhist Chaplain information

See salary details

$29K

$63.6K

$98K

How much do buddhist chaplain jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 29, 2026, the average yearly pay for buddhist chaplain in the United States is $63,587.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $48,500.00 and $80,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a Buddhist chaplain?

Buddhist chaplains are spiritual caregivers who provide emotional, spiritual, and religious support rooted in Buddhist principles to people in various settings, such as hospitals, prisons, universities, and the military. They serve individuals of all faiths or no faith, offering guidance, meditation, and compassionate presence. Buddhist chaplains help people cope with suffering, illness, grief, and ethical dilemmas, and they often collaborate with other chaplains as part of an interfaith team. Their approach emphasizes mindfulness, non-judgmental listening, and alleviating suffering, in accordance with Buddhist teachings.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Buddhist chaplain, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Buddhist Chaplain, you need a deep understanding of Buddhist teachings and practices, often supported by formal training in chaplaincy or pastoral care. Familiarity with spiritual assessment tools, electronic documentation systems, and certifications such as Board Certified Chaplain (BCC) are commonly required. Compassion, cultural sensitivity, and strong communication skills are vital for providing spiritual support to individuals from diverse backgrounds. These skills ensure that chaplains can offer meaningful guidance, emotional comfort, and ethical care in a variety of settings.

What are some common challenges Buddhist chaplains face when supporting individuals from diverse spiritual backgrounds?

Buddhist Chaplains often work in multi-faith environments such as hospitals, prisons, or universities, where they support individuals from a wide range of spiritual and cultural backgrounds. One common challenge is providing meaningful spiritual care while respecting differing beliefs and practices. Chaplains must be adaptable, empathetic, and skilled in interfaith dialogue, ensuring their support is inclusive and sensitive to the varied needs of those they serve. Building trust and establishing rapport in these diverse settings is key to being effective in this role.

What is the difference between Buddhist Chaplain vs Pastoral Counselor?

AspectBuddhist ChaplainPastoral Counselor
CredentialsTypically requires Buddhist ordination or certification, counseling training, and sometimes chaplaincy certificationRequires pastoral or religious counseling certification, often with clinical training
Work EnvironmentHospitals, prisons, military, spiritual centersHospitals, clinics, community settings, private practice
Employer & IndustryReligious organizations, healthcare institutions, military chaplaincyHealthcare facilities, mental health clinics, religious organizations

Both Buddhist Chaplains and Pastoral Counselors provide spiritual support, but Buddhist Chaplains focus on Buddhist teachings and rituals, often working within healthcare or institutional settings. Pastoral Counselors may work across various faiths or secular contexts, emphasizing counseling and emotional support. The choice depends on your spiritual background and career focus.

What cities are hiring for Buddhist Chaplain jobs?

Cities with the most Buddhist Chaplain job openings:

What are the most commonly searched types of Buddhist Chaplain jobs?

The most popular types of Buddhist Chaplain jobs are:

What states have the most Buddhist Chaplain jobs?

States with the most job openings for Buddhist Chaplain jobs include:

Infographic showing various Buddhist Chaplain job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $63,587 per year, or $30.6 per hour.

Assistant Professor_ Nontenure Track

Rosemead, CA • On-site

UNIVERSITY OF THE WEST
Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools • 51 - 200 employees

Full-time

This job post has expired 1 day ago. Applications are no longer accepted.


Job description

 
 
 

Assistant Professor, Non-Tenure Track, Department of Buddhist Chaplaincy

Rosemead, CA 

Full-Time Faculty

Job Summary:

This position will involve teaching responsibilities at the graduate level; supervising and mentoring the Master of Divinity (M.Div.) students; and working collaboratively with the Chair of the Department and colleagues on new initiatives and programs. Teaching responsibilities include courses preparing students for Clinical Pastoral Education (C.P.E.) and other specialized chaplaincy training.

Job Duties and Responsibilities:

  • Teach four course per semester
  • Advise half MDIV students (with class registration, spiritual formation, CPE preparation, maintain office hours according to student needs)
  • Organize yearly CPE Fair and guide students in CPE and SL Placement sites
  • Monitor and Update MDIV, MABSC, and DBMIN Moodle Resource pages 
  • Complete all expected responsibilities of University faculty instructor (serve on one committee and advise one student club)

Qualifications:

  • Master of Divinity degree (M.Div.) and is certified as CPE Supervisor ;
  • Ph.D./Th.D./Doctor of Ministry (D.Min.) or equivalent;
  • Ordination/commissioning to function in a ministry of care in a Buddhist tradition;  or (experienced in Buddhist ministry tradition)
  • at least 1-unit of Clinical Pastoral Education (C.P.E.) (4 CPE units is preferable);
  • prior experience as a Buddhist Chaplain;
  • prior teaching experience;
  • prior experience in an administrative faculty position is preferable.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required:

  • Strong interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to work effectively with a wide range of constituencies in a diverse environment;
  • Demonstrated ability to advance the university's commitment to expanding and enhancing its programs;
  • Ability to manage the daily operations of the Buddhist Chaplaincy Department;
  • Work closely with the Chief of Academic Affairs and other department chairs;
  • Experience developing and maintaining agreements with potential partners, local service providers, military recruiters, and C.P.E. training sites;
  • Demonstrated experience working with the wider Buddhist community;
  • Demonstrated ability to assist in the recruitment of instructors for courses;
  • Demonstrated ability to function as a spiritual advisor for chaplaincy students.

Commitment to Diversity 

We welcome applicants with demonstrated success in working with diverse populations. UWest is arguably one of the most diverse campuses in the United States. Candidates should have experience in—or potential for—building an equitable and diverse scholarly environment in teaching, mentoring, research, life experiences, and service.