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Hospital Chaplain Jobs in Raleigh, NC (NOW HIRING)

Hospital Chaplain information

See Raleigh, NC salary details

$15

$28

$45

How much do hospital chaplain jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 4, 2026, the average hourly pay for hospital chaplain in Raleigh, NC is $28.21, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $22.31 and $30.77 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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 are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a hospital chaplain?

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.

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.

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 hospital 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.

What qualifications do you need to be a hospital chaplain?

Hospital chaplains typically need a bachelor's degree in theology, ministry, 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 in healthcare settings.

What are the most commonly searched types of Hospital Chaplain jobs in Raleigh, NC?

The most popular types of Hospital Chaplain jobs in Raleigh, NC are:

What are popular job titles related to Hospital Chaplain jobs in Raleigh, NC?

For Hospital Chaplain jobs in Raleigh, NC, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Hospital Chaplain jobs in Raleigh, NC look for?

The top searched job categories for Hospital Chaplain jobs in Raleigh, NC are:

What cities near Raleigh, NC are hiring for Hospital Chaplain jobs?

Cities near Raleigh, NC with the most Hospital Chaplain job openings:

Infographic showing various Hospital Chaplain job openings in Raleigh, NC as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 75% Full Time, and 25% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $58,671 per year, or $28.2 per hour.

U.S. Army Chaplain - RA and USAR

US Army Chaplain

Raleigh, NC โ€ข On-site

Full-time, Part-time

Medical, Dental, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 8 days ago


Key responsibilities

  • Provide spiritual care and support to Soldiers and their families.

  • Represent and serve multiple denominations and faith traditions in various military settings.

  • Fulfill the mission of bringing Soldiers to God and God to Soldiers through religious services and counseling.


Job description

Turn your passion into a mission of service. 

Caring for the Army's spiritual health is the mission of the Chaplain Corps, vital to the morale and readiness of our Soldiers and their families. The Army's strength depends on securing capable, experienced religious leaders who embrace this sacred call to serve the selfless 1% of our nation by nurturing the living, caring for the wounded and honoring the fallen.

Answering the sacred call – ways to serve

A chaplain’s mission is to bring Soldiers to God and God to Soldiers. America calls on our Army to fight and win our nation’s wars and Army chaplains are there every step of the way. Whether in training or operations, Army chaplains represent hundreds of American denominations and faith traditions and fulfill a sacred calling of service captured in our motto, “Pro Deo et Patria” (for God and country). Being an Army chaplain means making a difference in the world. There are three ways in which you can answer the call to serve others.

Active Duty Chaplain - Active-duty chaplains serve every type of unit, including Special Operations, infantry, aviation, intelligence, hospitals, prisons, cyber, and community ministries. The Chaplain Corps also offers select chaplains advanced graduate degrees and specialized ministries in ethics, world religions, hospital ministry, and marriage and family counseling. You could be stationed in the United States, or in one of 180 countries around the world.

Army Reserve Chaplain - The U.S. Army Reserve is the part-time force that provides essential capabilities to the Army, giving them added scale and scope to respond to challenges at home and abroad. As a chaplain in the Army Reserve, you will be able to pursue a civilian ministry while you train near home and serve your community. You will spend two days a month on duty and two weeks a year training. 

Chaplain Candidate – You can train to become an Army chaplain at the same time you are training for the ministry. The training and experience you will receive as a Chaplain Candidate will be a supplement to your ministerial education. All Chaplain Candidates are commissioned officers assigned to the Army Reserve in the Chaplain Branch. Should you decide to become an Army chaplain, by participating in the Chaplain Candidate Program (CCP), you will have a head start on entering the Army as a chaplain, as well as enjoying the many benefits and privileges associated with being an Army officer.

Outstanding Benefits

As an Army Chaplain and a commissioned officer, you will be afforded numerous advantages and a comprehensive benefits package. Benefits may include: 

★ Starting salary competitive with your civilian counterparts

★ Promotions in rank with corresponding pay increases

★ Travel opportunities within the United States and overseas

★ Up to 30 days of paid vacation earned annually

★ Enrollment in the Uniformed Services Blended Retirement System

★ No- to low-cost medical and dental care for you and your family

★ Extensive life insurance coverage at a low rate

★ Commissary and post exchange shopping privileges

★ Housing allowance or free on-post housing

★ Use of world-class recreational facilities

★ Uniform allowance

We are looking for Religious Leaders who:

★ Are not older than 42 years old to serve as an Active-duty chaplain; are not older than 47 years old to serve as an Army Reserve chaplain, by the date commissioned into the Army; Are not older than 37 for the Chaplain Candidate Program

★ Have completed a bachelor’s degree (120 credits) with a GPA above a 2.5; Completed a theological degree (72 hours or more) for their denomination / faith tradition (often the Master of Divinity degree) with a GPA above a 2.5.

★ Are ordained and endorsed by their denomination or faith tradition recognized by the pentagon to serve in one of the components of the Army

★ For Active Duty: Chaplains are required to serve at least two years in a full-time professional capacity as a member of a denomination or tradition of faith, validated by an endorsing agent. Army considers 30+ hours a week full-time ministry *

★ Are a U.S. citizen to serve Active Duty, or have a permanent U.S. residency to serve in the Army Reserve

Become an Army Chaplain

To learn more about being a Chaplain in the U.S. Army or Army Reserve, click here* or connect with your local Army Chaplain Recruiter to see how you can answer the call.