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Pastoral Counselor Jobs in Raleigh, NC (NOW HIRING)

UNC HEALTH

Pastoral Care Intern

Chapel Hill, NC · On-site

$7.25 - $80.50/hr

Provides pastoral care and counsel to patients, family members, and staff. Responsibilities: 1. Maintains an environment of safety for patients, self and others. 2. Provides pastoral care and counsel ...

UNC Health Careers

Pastoral Care Intern

Chapel Hill, NC

$7.25 - $80.50/hr

Provides pastoral care and counsel to patients, family members, and staff. Responsibilities: 1. Maintains an environment of safety for patients, self and others. 2. Provides pastoral care and counsel ...

UNC Health Careers

Hospital Chaplain

Smithfield, NC · On-site

$24.98 - $35.91/hr

Strong listening, empathy, and pastoral counseling skills. Ability to provide compassionate care in emotionally intense situations. Ability to work collaboratively within a multidisciplinary health ...

UNC Health Careers

Hospital Chaplain

Smithfield, NC · On-site

$24.98 - $35.91/hr

Strong listening, empathy, and pastoral counseling skills. Ability to provide compassionate care in emotionally intense situations. Ability to work collaboratively within a multidisciplinary health ...

US Navy

Chaplain

Oxford, NC

Officer • Both Overview Provide spiritual care, counseling, and ethical leadership to Sailors ... pastoral care; facilitate for the religious needs of personnel from other faith groups; advise ...

US Navy

Chaplain

Princeton, NC

Officer • Both Overview Provide spiritual care, counseling, and ethical leadership to Sailors ... pastoral care; facilitate for the religious needs of personnel from other faith groups; advise ...

US Navy

Chaplain

Moncure, NC

Officer • Both Overview Provide spiritual care, counseling, and ethical leadership to Sailors ... pastoral care; facilitate for the religious needs of personnel from other faith groups; advise ...

US Navy

Chaplain

Pittsboro, NC

Officer • Both Overview Provide spiritual care, counseling, and ethical leadership to Sailors ... pastoral care; facilitate for the religious needs of personnel from other faith groups; advise ...

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All JobsPastoral Counselor JobsPastoral Counselor Jobs in Raleigh, NC

Pastoral Counselor information

See Raleigh, NC salary details

$10.1K

$56.1K

How much do pastoral counselor jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 16, 2026, the average yearly pay for pastoral counselor in Raleigh, NC is $55,329.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $55,200.00 and $55,600.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

Do pastoral counselors get paid?

Yes, pastoral counselors typically receive a salary or hourly wage for their work, which can vary based on experience, location, and employer. They often work in religious organizations, hospitals, or mental health settings and may need certification or licensure depending on the region.

How does a pastoral counselor typically collaborate with other mental health professionals?

Pastoral Counselors often work as part of an interdisciplinary team that can include psychologists, social workers, and medical professionals. They collaborate by sharing insights—while maintaining client confidentiality—to ensure comprehensive care for clients, especially when spiritual and emotional needs intersect. Regular meetings or case conferences are common, and Pastoral Counselors may provide referrals or receive referrals for clients who need specialized support. This collaborative approach helps address the holistic well-being of individuals within a faith-based context.

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

To thrive as a Pastoral Counselor, you need a background in counseling or psychology, theological training, and often a relevant master's degree or certification. Familiarity with assessment tools, counseling techniques, and ethical guidelines is important, along with potential use of case management software. Strong active listening, empathy, and cultural sensitivity are crucial soft skills for building trust and supporting clients through spiritual and emotional challenges. These skills ensure that clients receive holistic care that addresses both psychological and spiritual needs in a compassionate and ethically responsible manner.

What is required to be a pastoral counselor?

To become a pastoral counselor, individuals typically need a bachelor's degree in psychology, counseling, or a related field, followed by a master's degree in pastoral counseling, theology, or divinity. Certification or licensure may be required depending on the state or organization, and strong interpersonal and communication skills are essential for providing effective support and guidance. Many pastoral counselors also have training in mental health and counseling techniques.

What is the difference between Pastoral Counselor vs Mental Health Counselor?

AspectPastoral CounselorMental Health Counselor
CredentialsTypically requires a religious degree, pastoral training, and state licensureRequires a master's degree in counseling or psychology and state licensure
Work EnvironmentReligious settings, churches, faith-based organizationsClinics, hospitals, private practices, mental health facilities
Employer & IndustryReligious institutions, faith-based organizationsHealthcare, mental health services, private practices
FocusSpiritual guidance, faith-based counseling, emotional supportPsychological treatment, mental health management, behavioral therapy

While both roles provide emotional support and counseling, Pastoral Counselors focus on spiritual guidance within faith-based settings, whereas Mental Health Counselors provide clinical mental health treatment in healthcare environments. The choice depends on whether the client seeks faith-based or clinical mental health support.

What jobs can you get with a pastoral counselor degree?

A pastoral counselor degree prepares individuals for roles such as pastoral counselor, mental health counselor, or chaplain, often in settings like churches, hospitals, or community organizations. These roles involve providing emotional support, counseling, and spiritual guidance, sometimes requiring certification or licensing depending on the region. Skills in active listening, empathy, and understanding mental health are essential for these positions.

What is a pastoral counselor?

A pastoral counselor is a professional who integrates psychological therapy and spiritual guidance to help individuals cope with personal, emotional, or spiritual challenges. They are often trained in both mental health counseling and theology, allowing them to address issues from a holistic perspective. Pastoral counselors may work in religious institutions, counseling centers, or private practice, and they typically respect the client's faith background while providing support. They help with concerns such as grief, relationship issues, anxiety, and spiritual crises, combining clinical skills with compassionate, faith-informed care.

What is a pastoral counselor?

A pastoral counselor blends traditional psychology with theological concepts. As a pastoral counselor, your job is to provide counseling that incorporates the religious beliefs of the patient. Typical duties involve meeting with patients and their families, developing treatment methods, and analyzing the results. As a pastoral counselor, you often utilize prayer in your treatment services. You work with people of all ages with emotional, mental health, and behavioral issues as well as substance abuse and marriage problems. Though you typically work in a clinical setting, you may also provide group therapy to a church congregation.

More about Pastoral Counselor jobs

What are popular job titles related to Pastoral Counselor jobs in Raleigh, NC?

For Pastoral Counselor jobs in Raleigh, NC, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Pastoral Counselor jobs in Raleigh, NC look for?

The top searched job categories for Pastoral Counselor jobs in Raleigh, NC are:

What cities near Raleigh, NC are hiring for Pastoral Counselor jobs?

Cities near Raleigh, NC with the most Pastoral Counselor job openings:

Pastoral Counselor jobs near you
Infographic showing various Pastoral Counselor job openings in Raleigh, NC as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 89% Full Time, and 11% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $55,329 per year, or $26.6 per hour.

Pastoral Care Intern

UNC HEALTH

Chapel Hill, NC • On-site

$7.25 - $80.50/hr

Full-time, Internship

Posted 29 days ago

Job description

Your passion belongs at UNC Health. Join more than 56,000 teammates working together to improve the health and well-being of the communities we serve across North Carolina.
Summary:
Provides pastoral care and counsel to patients, family members, and staff.
Responsibilities:
1. Maintains an environment of safety for patients, self and others.
2. Provides pastoral care and counsel to patients, family members, and staff in assigned clinical areas with full consideration of patient safety needs.
3. Participates in the ministry of the department through the overnight on-call schedule, responding pastorally and timely to all situations requiring pastoral care and support, and through leading worship services in the hospital.
4. Participates in the clinical pastoral education training process through group and individual supervision and through the preparation of and reflection upon clinical materials.
Other Information
Other information:
Education Requirements:
• High school diploma or general education degree (GED).
Licensure/Certification Requirements:
• Ordination and ecclesiastical endorsement from denomination/faith group preferred but not required.
Professional Experience Requirements:
• None required.
Knowledge/Skills/and Abilities Requirements:
• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations. Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, and the general public. Mathematical Skills: Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent and to draw and interpret bar graphs. Reasoning Ability: Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form. Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations.
Job Details
Legal Employer: STATE
Entity: UNC Medical Center
Organization Unit: Pastoral Care
Work Type: Intern
Standard Hours Per Week: 28.00
Salary Range: $7.25 - $80.50 per hour (Hiring Range)
Pay offers are determined by experience and internal equity
Work Assignment Type: Onsite
Work Schedule: Variable
Location of Job: US:NC:Chapel Hill
Exempt From Overtime: Exempt: No
This is a State position employed by UNC Health Care System with UNC Health benefits. If, however, you are presently an employee of another North Carolina agency and currently participate in TSERS or the ORP, you will be eligible to continue participating in those plans at UNC Health.
Qualified applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, status as a protected veteran or political affiliation.
UNC Health makes reasonable accommodations for applicants' and employees' religious practices and beliefs, as well as applicants and employees with disabilities. All interested applicants are invited to apply for career opportunities. Please email applicant.accommodations@unchealth.unc.edu if you need a reasonable accommodation to search and/or to apply for a career opportunity.

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