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Catholic Lay Chaplain Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Associate Chaplain

Westminster, CO · On-site

$69K - $95K/yr

The Chaplain may invite local or retired clergy to lead services (e.g., Catholic Mass, Episcopal ... lay leaders to offer such teaching or seminars. * As members of community leadership, chaplains ...

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Catholic Lay Chaplain information

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$29K

$63.6K

$98K

How much do catholic lay chaplain jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 20, 2026, the average yearly pay for catholic lay 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.

Can a layperson be a Catholic chaplain?

Yes, a layperson can serve as a Catholic chaplain, especially in settings like hospitals, military, or educational institutions, where non-ordained individuals provide spiritual support. While many chaplains are ordained clergy, laypersons with appropriate training, certification, and a strong understanding of Catholic teachings can also fulfill this role effectively.

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. Salary levels vary based on location, employer, and level of responsibility.

What can a Catholic chaplain do?

A Catholic chaplain provides spiritual support, pastoral care, and religious services to individuals in settings such as hospitals, military, or correctional facilities. They offer sacraments, counseling, prayer, and guidance to meet the spiritual needs of those they serve.

What is a Catholic Lay Chaplain?

A Catholic Lay Chaplain is a layperson, meaning a non-ordained member of the Catholic Church, who provides spiritual care and support to individuals in settings such as hospitals, prisons, schools, or the military. Lay chaplains are trained to offer pastoral counseling, lead prayer services, and facilitate sacraments when possible, under the guidance of ordained clergy. They play a vital role in supporting the faith and emotional well-being of those they serve, especially in environments where access to a priest may be limited.

Are chaplains no longer wearing rank?

Catholic lay chaplains typically do not wear military or formal ranks, as they are laypersons serving in religious or community settings. Their roles focus on spiritual support and pastoral care, often without the need for rank insignia or uniforms. In some institutional contexts, chaplains may wear specific attire or badges, but rank is generally not part of their role.

What are some common challenges Catholic Lay Chaplains face when supporting diverse populations in institutional settings?

Catholic Lay Chaplains often work in hospitals, prisons, or schools, where they encounter people from a variety of cultural and religious backgrounds. A common challenge is providing spiritual care that respects Catholic traditions while also being sensitive to the beliefs and needs of non-Catholic individuals. Lay Chaplains must practice active listening, compassion, and cultural competence, often collaborating with other faith leaders and healthcare or institutional staff to ensure holistic support for everyone. Continuous professional development and interfaith training can help address these challenges and foster more effective ministry.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Catholic Lay Chaplain, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Catholic Lay Chaplain, you generally need a background in theology or pastoral studies, knowledge of Catholic doctrine, and diocesan endorsement or approval. Familiarity with pastoral care resources, liturgical planning tools, and sometimes certification such as the National Association of Catholic Chaplains (NACC) is valuable. Compassion, active listening, cultural sensitivity, and strong interpersonal communication are essential soft skills in this role. These competencies are vital for providing spiritual support, facilitating religious services, and meeting the emotional and spiritual needs of diverse individuals in healthcare, educational, or community settings.
More about Catholic Lay Chaplain jobs
What job categories do people searching Catholic Lay Chaplain jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Catholic Lay Chaplain jobs are:
Infographic showing various Catholic Lay Chaplain job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 3% As Needed, 71% Full Time, 24% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 96% Physical, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $63,587 per year, or $30.6 per hour.
Chaplain - Spiritual Health Department - St. Elizabeth Youngstown Hospital

Chaplain - Spiritual Health Department - St. Elizabeth Youngstown Hospital

Bon Secours Mercy Health

Boardman, OH • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 15 days ago


Bon Secours Mercy Health rating

7.0

Company rating: 7.0 out of 10

Based on 472 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

374th of 886 rated healthcare providers


Job description

Thank you for considering a career at Mercy Health!

Scheduled Weekly Hours:

40

Work Shift:

Other (United States of America)

Mercy Health

Intro paragraph

As a faith-based and patient-focused organization, Mercy Health exists to enhance the health and well-being of all people in mind, body and spirit through exceptional patient care. Success in this goal requires a culture of compassion, collaboration, excellence and respect. Mercy Health seeks people that are committed to our values of compassion, human dignity, integrity, service and stewardship to create an environment where associates want to work and help communities thrive.

Chaplain II - St. Elizabeth Youngstown Hospital

Job Summary:

Under the direction of the Director of Mission or Director of Spiritual Care, the Chaplain II ministers to patients, families, and staff around religious and spiritual needs. As an integral member of the multidisciplinary team, the chaplain provides spiritual care and emotional support within the context of illness, crisis, loss, and death. The chaplain is committed to the Mission and models its core values.

Essential Functions:

  • Recognizes the sacramental needs of the Catholic population.
  • Provide for religious and ritual needs of diverse faith groups.
  • Minister to a diverse population in a non-proselytizing manner and provide basic emotional and spiritual support to patients, visitors, our community, and fellow associates.
  • Collaborate with fellow team members and the interdisciplinary team including appropriate referrals that serve those in their care.
  • Provide effective pastoral skills and pastoral ministry by employing advanced pastoral care and counseling techniques, including but not limited to, emotional processing, reframing for meanings and perspectives, and facilitation of deeper theological and personal reflections.
  • Provides a specialized perspective at clinical care conferences while addressing the spiritual and emotional aspects of holistic care. Provide consultation for cases with significant relational, familial, religious, or cultural dynamics and engender appropriate spiritual care outcomes.
  • Demonstrate proficiency in conducting full-spectrum spiritual care assessment and care planning process
  • Provide appropriate spiritual interventions in end-of-life situations and crisis cases (Code Blue, Death, Trauma, etc.).
  • Coordinate delivery of pastoral care resources for complex patient care situations and collaborate with Departmental leaders in making appropriate referrals.
  • Provide Advanced Care Planning consultations and elicits care preferences including Advanced Medical Directives documentation
  • Professionally communicates clinically relevant information in the Electronic Medical Records (EMR) benefitting interdisciplinary care.
  • Demonstrates knowledge of the Ethical and Religious Directives of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops and adheres to the policies of the Bon Secours Mercy Health (BSMH) as a Catholic healthcare organization.
  • 24/7 call with expectations for holidays/weekends

This document is not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, skills, duties, requirements, or working conditions associated with the job. Employees may be required to perform other job-related duties as required by their supervisor, subject to reasonable accommodation.

Education:

  • Master's degree in related field such as Religious, Divinity, or Theology (required)
  • Doctoral degree in Theology or Philosophy (preferred)

Required Licensing & Certifications:

  • 3 units of Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) completed (required)

Experience:

  • 1 year of experience as a Chaplain in a healthcare setting. (Required)
  • Ecclesial endorsement from church body to be involved in hospital ministry. (Required)
  • Completion of lay ministry or the ordination process. (Preferred)

Skills & Abilities:

  • Active listening
  • Apply Ethical Practices
  • Clinical Pastoral Care
  • Collaboration
  • Communication
  • Crisis counseling
  • Crisis Intervention
  • Demonstrate Empathy
  • Flexibility
  • Good interpersonal skills
  • Healthcare Ethics
  • Human Relations
  • Interfaith Dialogue
  • Ministering to diverse populations
  • Organization Skills
  • Pastoral Care
  • Pastoral Counseling
  • Pastoral Ministries
  • Pastoral Theology
  • Planning
  • Presentation Skills
  • Public Relations
  • Relationship building
  • Religious Studies
  • Spiritual Care
  • Spiritual Care Assessments
  • Spiritual Support
  • Teamwork
  • Theological Reflection
  • Verbal Communication
  • Written Communication
  • Facilitation of theological reflections
  • Medical Ethics
  • Catholic Social Teaching
  • Ability to lead and coordinate prayer and worship services
  • Ability to teach an understanding of diverse theology and ecclesiology

Training:

  • None

Mercy Health is an equal opportunity employer.

As a Mercy Health associate, you're part of a Misson that matters. We support your well-being - personally and professionally. Our benefits are built to grow with you and meet your unique needs, every step of the way.

What we offer
Competitive pay, incentives, referral bonuses and 403(b) with employer contributions (when eligible)
Medical, dental, vision, prescription coverage, HAS/FSA options, life insurance, mental health resources and discounts
Paid time off, parental and FMLA leave, short- and long-term disability, backup care for children and elders
Tuition assistance, professional development and continuing education support

Benefits may vary based on the market and employment status.

Department:

Pastoral Care - Youngstown Regional Office

It is our policy to abide by all Federal and State laws, as well as, the requirements of 41 CFR 60-1.4(a), 60-300.5(a) and 60-741.5(a). Accordingly, all applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, genetic information, or protected veteran status, and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability. If you'd like to view a copy of the affirmative action plan or policy statement for Mercy Health- Youngstown, Ohio or Bon Secours - Franklin, Virginia; Petersburg, Virginia; and Emporia, Virginia, which are Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Employer, please email recruitment@mercy.com. If you are an individual with a disability and would like to request a reasonable accommodation as part of the employment selection process, please contact The Talent Acquisition Team at recruitment@mercy.com.


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