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Religious Leader Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Parishes

Director of Religious Education

Poway, CA · On-site

$25 - $30/hr

Planning and oversight of the parish religious education program, including sacramental preparation ... Support and develop catechists by leading catechist training and providing catechetical resources ...

Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District

$70.84 - $86.11/hr

SUMMARY Under administrative leadership, it is the responsibility of part time faculty to perform ... Master's in religious studies, theology, or philosophy OR * Bachelor's in religious studies ...

BOP: General Practitioner

Chaplain

San Diego, CA

$63K/yr

Experience in formal religious leadership compatible with the duties of a religious ministry provider in the applicant's organization and relevant to professional chaplaincy. Earned Clinical Pastoral ...

New

BOP: General Practitioner

Chaplain

Mendota, CA · On-site

$63K/yr

Experience in formal religious leadership compatible with the duties of a religious ministry provider in the applicant's organization and relevant to professional chaplaincy. Earned Clinical Pastoral ...

New

Department of Justice

Chaplain

Atwater, CA

$63K/yr

Experience in formal religious leadership compatible with the duties of a religious ministry provider in the applicant's organization and relevant to professional chaplaincy. Earned Clinical Pastoral ...

New

Department of Justice

$63K/yr

Experience in formal religious leadership compatible with the duties of a religious ministry provider in the applicant's organization and relevant to professional chaplaincy. Earned Clinical Pastoral ...

New

Department of Justice

Chaplain

San Diego, CA

$63K/yr

Experience in formal religious leadership compatible with the duties of a religious ministry provider in the applicant's organization and relevant to professional chaplaincy. Earned Clinical Pastoral ...

New

BOP: General Practitioner

Chaplain

Victorville, CA · On-site

$63K/yr

Experience in formal religious leadership compatible with the duties of a religious ministry provider in the applicant's organization and relevant to professional chaplaincy. Earned Clinical Pastoral ...

New

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$23

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How much do religious leader jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 10, 2026, the average hourly pay for religious leader in California is $23.59, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $14.36 and $26.36 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are common challenges faced by religious leaders in balancing administrative duties with spiritual responsibilities?

Religious leaders often find it challenging to balance their spiritual leadership—such as preparing sermons, leading services, and providing pastoral care—with the administrative responsibilities of managing a congregation. Tasks like budgeting, event planning, and staff supervision can be time-consuming and require strong organizational skills. Many leaders address this by delegating administrative duties to trusted staff or volunteers, allowing them to focus more on their spiritual and pastoral roles. Open communication and clear role definitions within the team are key to maintaining this balance.

What skills and qualifications are needed to thrive as a religious leader?

To thrive as a Religious Leader, you need a deep understanding of religious texts, theology, and pastoral care, usually supported by formal theological education or seminary training. Familiarity with church management software, digital communication tools, and certification through denominational bodies is often important. Strong interpersonal skills, empathy, public speaking, and the ability to inspire and counsel individuals are essential soft skills for this role. These competencies ensure effective spiritual guidance, community leadership, and the ability to address the diverse needs of a congregation.

What is a religious leader?

Religious leaders are individuals who guide, teach, and support members of a religious community. They interpret religious texts, lead worship services, perform rituals, and offer spiritual advice. Their roles can vary widely depending on the faith tradition, but they often serve as moral and ethical guides, helping people understand their beliefs and navigate life's challenges according to religious principles.
What are popular job titles related to Religious Leader jobs in CA? For Religious Leader jobs in CA, the most frequently searched job titles are:
Religious Leader jobs near you
Infographic showing various Religious Leader job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 81% Full Time, 13% Part Time, 2% Temporary, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 94% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $49,063 per year, or $23.6 per hour.

Chaplain (Per Diem) - Chaplaincy

Rady Children's Hospital-San Diego

San Diego, CA • On-site

$30.96 - $42.57/hr

Per diem

Posted 26 days ago

Rady Children's Hospital rating

8.2

Company rating: 8.2 out of 10

Based on 46 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

97th of 1,055 rated hospitals

Job description

JOB SUMMARY:
Provides clinical pastoral care primarily to patients & families, secondarily to hospital staff. Gives age & developmentally appropriate, spiritual care to patients. Functions as a chaplain with families on an interfaith basis. Brings pastoral care & integration of spiritual concerns as a member of the multidisciplinary medical team. Assists with training & deployment of Community Clergy volunteers. Responds to clinical situations requiring pastoral crisis intervention & counseling. Assists with Bereavement program & remains active in Bereavement activities at the hospital. Assists in training & orientation of staff in pastoral care issues.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Master's level Theological Degree (M.Div, MATS) from an ATS accredited institution or equivalent
1 year of experience as a professional healthcare chaplain
4 Units (1600 hours) of ACPE Clinical Pastoral Education
Spiritual clinical assessment skills for pediatric healthcare
Age and developmental competency for pediatric pastoral care
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
2 years of experience as a professional healthcare chaplain within the pediatric setting
Commissioning by one's faith group to serve as a religious leader and endorsement or official recognition by that faith group to function as a chaplain
Certification as a Board-Certified Chaplain (BCC) with the Association of Professional Chaplains (APC), National Association of Catholic Chaplains (NACC), Neshama: The Association of Jewish Chaplains (NAJC), or the Canadian Association for Spiritual Care (CASC)
Training and experience in crisis intervention
Training and experience in bereavement counseling, individual & groups
Pediatric healthcare experience
Fluent in Spanish
The current salary range for this position is $30.96 to $42.57
Rady Children's Hospital is committed to compensation that is externally competitive and internally equitable. We demonstrate this commitment by conducting regular market reviews to remain competitive with organizations of similar size in the nonprofit, healthcare sector. The range listed above does not represent the full salary range for the position but is the expected hiring range for qualified candidates. Compensation decisions consider a variety of factors including experience, education, licensure, unique skillsets, organizational need, and internal equity. This posting will remain open from the "date posted" until the hiring manager has determined there is a sufficient applicant pool or until the position is filled.

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