ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Hospital Chaplain Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Allina Health

Hospital Chaplain Casual

Coon Rapids, MN · On-site

$31.07 - $42.59/hr

As a hospital chaplain, you will play a pivotal role in providing compassionate support and guidance to patients, families, and staff during some of life's most challenging moments. Key Position ...

Allina Health

$31.07 - $42.59/hr

As a hospital chaplain, you will play a pivotal role in providing compassionate support and guidance to patients, families, and staff during some of life's most challenging moments. Key Position ...

Allina Health

Hospital Chaplain Casual

Anoka, MN · On-site

$31.07 - $42.59/hr

As a hospital chaplain, you will play a pivotal role in providing compassionate support and guidance to patients, families, and staff during some of life's most challenging moments. Key Position ...

Allina Health

Hospital Chaplain Casual

Minneapolis, MN · On-site

$31.07 - $42.59/hr

As a hospital chaplain, you will play a pivotal role in providing compassionate support and guidance to patients, families, and staff during some of life's most challenging moments. Key Position ...

Baton Rouge General

Chaplain-PRN

Amite, LA

Position Summary The Hospital Chaplain provides and coordinates pastoral care and spiritual support to patients, families, staff, and visitors. As a vital member of the interdisciplinary health care ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

All JobsHospital Chaplain Jobs

Hospital Chaplain information

See salary details

$17

$31

$51

How much do hospital chaplain jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 30, 2026, the average hourly pay for hospital chaplain in the United States is $31.95, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $25.24 and $34.86 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are hospital chaplains and what do they do?

Hospital chaplains are spiritual care professionals who provide emotional, spiritual, and religious support to patients, their families, and hospital staff. They help people cope with illness, injury, trauma, or loss, regardless of faith background or beliefs. Chaplains may offer prayer, counseling, or simply a listening ear during difficult times. They also serve as a bridge between patients and their faith communities and may assist with rituals or sacraments if requested. Their goal is to promote holistic well-being and comfort within the healthcare setting.

How does a hospital chaplain support patients and staff during emotionally challenging situations?

Hospital chaplains play a crucial role in providing spiritual and emotional care to patients, families, and hospital staff, especially during times of crisis, grief, or uncertainty. They offer a listening ear, guidance, and comfort regardless of an individual's faith background, and are often called upon during end-of-life care, trauma, and major life transitions. In addition to patient care, chaplains collaborate closely with medical teams, social workers, and counselors to ensure holistic support, and may also facilitate staff debriefings or support groups to help healthcare professionals manage stress and compassion fatigue.

Is it hard to become a hospital chaplain?

Becoming a hospital chaplain typically requires completing a bachelor's degree, often in theology, counseling, or related fields, followed by specialized training or certification such as Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE). The process can be competitive and involves gaining experience, strong interpersonal skills, and often obtaining ordination or endorsement from a religious organization. Certification and experience are important for advancing in this role.

What qualifications does a hospital chaplain need?

Hospital chaplains typically need a bachelor's degree in theology, pastoral care, or a related field, along with clinical pastoral education (CPE) certification. Many employers prefer candidates with ordination or endorsement from a religious organization and strong interpersonal skills to provide spiritual support to patients and staff.

What Is a Hospital Chaplain?

A hospital chaplain helps meet the spiritual needs of patients, families, and staff in a hospital setting. They minister to people of all faiths, offering a calm demeanor and attentive ear for concerns. As a hospital chaplain, your responsibilities and duties include providing spiritual support to patients facing surgery or dealing with illness or injuries, comforting grieving families, and sometimes counseling hospital staff. You also help patients and families with practical tasks, such as completing medical power-of-attorney documents and making funeral arrangements. Duties vary daily. Hospital chaplains often deal with delicate situations, so they are held to the highest standards of ethics and confidentiality.

What is the difference between Hospital Chaplain vs Hospital Social Worker?

AspectHospital ChaplainHospital Social Worker
CredentialsTypically requires a religious degree, ordination, or certification in spiritual careRequires a social work degree (BSW or MSW) and state licensure
Work EnvironmentProvides spiritual support in hospitals, hospice, and healthcare settingsAssists patients with emotional, social, and practical needs in healthcare settings
Employer & Industry UsageHospitals, hospices, religious organizationsHospitals, clinics, social service agencies
Common Search & ComparisonOften compared due to patient support roles and healthcare settings

Hospital chaplains focus on providing spiritual and religious support, often with religious credentials, while hospital social workers address emotional, social, and practical needs, requiring social work licensure. Both roles serve patients in healthcare environments but have different focuses and qualifications.

What does a chaplain do at a hospital?

A hospital chaplain provides spiritual support, counseling, and emotional comfort to patients, families, and staff. They may conduct religious services, offer prayer, and assist with end-of-life issues, often working closely with healthcare teams to address patients' spiritual needs.

How many years does it take to become a chaplain?

Becoming a hospital chaplain typically requires completing a bachelor's degree, which takes about four years, followed by a master's degree in divinity, theology, or a related field, usually taking an additional two to three years. Some positions also require clinical pastoral education (CPE) internships and certification, which can add to the overall timeline but generally total around 6 to 8 years of education and training.

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

To thrive as a Hospital Chaplain, you need a strong background in theology or pastoral care, often supported by a master's degree in divinity or related field and certification from professional chaplaincy organizations. Familiarity with electronic medical record systems and hospital protocols is beneficial. Compassion, active listening, and cultural sensitivity are essential soft skills for providing emotional and spiritual support to patients, families, and staff. These skills enable chaplains to address diverse spiritual needs and contribute to holistic patient care in a healthcare setting.
More about Hospital Chaplain jobs
What cities are hiring for Hospital Chaplain jobs? Cities with the most Hospital Chaplain job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Hospital Chaplain jobs? The most popular types of Hospital Chaplain jobs are:
Who are the top companies hiring for Hospital Chaplain jobs? The top employers for Hospital Chaplain jobs are:
What states have the most Hospital Chaplain jobs? States with the most job openings for Hospital Chaplain jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Hospital Chaplain jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Hospital Chaplain jobs are:
What are popular job titles related to Hospital Chaplain jobs? For Hospital Chaplain jobs, the most frequently searched job titles are:
Hospital Chaplain jobs near you
Infographic showing various Hospital Chaplain job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 13% Locum Tenens, 56% As Needed, 25% Full Time, and 6% Part Time. Highlights an 98% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $66,452 per year, or $31.9 per hour.
Hospital Chaplain

Hospital Chaplain

The Menninger Clinic

Houston, TX • On-site

Full-time

Posted 14 days ago

Job description

Schedule & Hours Vary

Key Functions

1. Provide pastoral care and counseling to the Menninger Community

  1. Use spiritual assessment, planning, intervention and evaluation in order to contribute to the plan of care
  2. Offer pastoral care that is respectful of cultural and religious diversity and differences
  3. Develop, coordinate and facilitate public worship and spiritual practices appropriate to diverse settings and needs
  4. Support patients in the application of their own values in decision-making
  5. Collaborate with members of the interdisciplinary team to incorporate spiritual needs in treatment planning

2. Maintains professional relationships within the organization and local community

  1. Serve as consultant to departments and clinical programs
  2. Foster collaborative relationships with community clergy and faith group leaders
  3. Provides spiritual leadership in times of organizational crisis events

Education Required: Master’s degree from an accredited theological seminary. One year of advanced clinical pastoral education in a psychiatric hospital.

License/Certification: Current certification, or in the process of being certified, in a least one of the following national certifying organizations: The Association for Clinical Pastoral Education, The Association of Professional Chaplains.

Experience: Two years experience as an ordained minister, rabbi, or priest in a church, synagogue, temple setting.

Preferred: Two years experience as a chaplain in a psychiatric hospital. Experience with a multi-disciplinary treatment team.