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Sports Chaplain Jobs (NOW HIRING)

... river sports, hiking, biking, camping and more. Qualifications: In addition to bringing ... If the chaplain has less than 4 units of CPE, they must agree to complete additional units in a CPE ...

Interim Chaplain

Washington, DC · On-site

$65K - $140K/yr

National Cathedral School seeks a Chaplain who will be grounded in Episcopal traditions while ... Additional stipends are available for coaching middle or upper school sports. To Apply: Complete ...

Associate Chaplain

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$30.91 - $42.40/hr

Los Angeles is known for its art, rich culture, numerous sports teams and world-renowned dining ... Preferred * Ecclesiastical endorsement from the chaplain's respective denomination or faith ...

Hospice Chaplain

Marathon, FL · On-site

$70K - $78K/yr

Use these rewards to support your wellbeing with spa services, gym memberships, sports, hobbies, pets and more.* * Mental health support, including up to five free counseling sessions per year ...

Hospice Chaplain

Marathon, FL · On-site

$70K - $78K/yr

Use these rewards to support your wellbeing with spa services, gym memberships, sports, hobbies, pets and more.* * Mental health support, including up to five free counseling sessions per year ...

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Sports Chaplain information

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$29K

$63.6K

$98K

How much do sports chaplain jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 9, 2026, the average yearly pay for sports 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.

What are the typical responsibilities and daily interactions of a Sports Chaplain within a team environment?

Sports Chaplains typically provide emotional, spiritual, and practical support to athletes, coaches, and staff. Their daily responsibilities often include offering confidential counseling, leading team reflections or prayer sessions, and being present at practices, games, and team events. Chaplains also collaborate with team management and medical personnel to ensure holistic well-being for team members, while respecting diverse faith backgrounds. Building trust and maintaining professional boundaries are key challenges, as chaplains must be approachable yet discreet in their support.

What Does a Sports Chaplain Do?

As a sports chaplain, you provide spiritual guidance and religious services to players, their families, coaches, and team staff members. These positions are usually available at a college or university, but some pro sports teams hire chaplains to work with athletes during the season. In this role, your duties typically include providing counsel to athletes and acting as a life coach. You provide general spiritual guidance and non-denominational religious services. You may have additional responsibilities outside of ministering to sports teams, such as overseeing a bible study group for athletes’ families or providing pastoral care for baptisms and weddings.

What is the difference between Sports Chaplain vs Sports Psychologist?

AspectSports ChaplainSports Psychologist
CredentialsOften requires religious or pastoral certifications, counseling trainingRequires advanced degrees in psychology or counseling, licensure
Work EnvironmentReligious settings, sports teams, community eventsClinics, sports organizations, private practice
Employer & IndustryReligious organizations, sports clubs, community groupsSports teams, mental health clinics, academic institutions

While both roles support athletes' well-being, Sports Chaplains focus on spiritual and emotional support rooted in faith, often within religious contexts. Sports Psychologists specialize in mental performance and psychological health, using evidence-based techniques. Understanding these differences helps athletes find the right support for their needs.

What are sports chaplains?

Sports chaplains are trained individuals who provide emotional, spiritual, and sometimes practical support to athletes, coaches, and teams within the sports community. They often work with professional, collegiate, or amateur teams to offer counseling, lead team prayers or reflections, and assist with personal or family challenges. Their role is non-denominational and inclusive, focusing on the overall well-being of sports participants regardless of faith background. Sports chaplains may also be involved in crisis response and support during injuries, losses, or other stressful events. Their presence helps foster a positive, healthy environment both on and off the field.

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

To thrive as a Sports Chaplain, you need a background in pastoral care or ministry, strong spiritual and ethical grounding, and often a relevant theological degree or certification. Familiarity with counseling tools, crisis intervention protocols, and sometimes athlete welfare systems is typically required. Excellent listening skills, cultural sensitivity, and the ability to build trust set outstanding Sports Chaplains apart. These skills and qualities are vital for providing effective emotional, spiritual, and ethical support to athletes and sports teams in high-pressure environments.
What cities are hiring for Sports Chaplain jobs? Cities with the most Sports Chaplain job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Sports Chaplain jobs? The most popular types of Sports Chaplain jobs are:
What states have the most Sports Chaplain jobs? States with the most job openings for Sports Chaplain jobs include:
Infographic showing various Sports Chaplain job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 3% Locum Tenens, 16% Full Time, 78% Part Time, and 3% Temporary. Highlights an 99% Physical, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $63,587 per year, or $30.6 per hour.
Chaplain

Full-time

Posted 19 days ago


CommonSpirit Health rating

7.1

Company rating: 7.1 out of 10

Based on 503 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

372nd of 870 rated healthcare providers


Job description


Job Summary and Responsibilities

You have a purpose, unique talents and now is the time to embrace it, live it and put it to work. We value incredible people with incredible skills – but your commitment to a greater cause is something we value even more. This is the heartbeat of our organization and your time will be spent in a supportive, team environment with resources to help you flourish and leaders who care about your success.

Job Description:

  • Collaborates with the Spiritual Care team to provide pastoral care services to patients and their family members.
  • Responds to urgent situations, (codes or death) at the request or referral of administrative coordinators, nurses, family, etc.
  • Assumes personal accountability for organizational mission and core values.
Job Requirements

In addition to bringing humankindness to the workplace each day, qualified candidates will need the following:

Required Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in spiritual care, Arts or equivalent degree from college/university or institution accredited by the applicant's institutional faith body. Completion of Roman Catholic deacon training and ordination is also acceptable if applicant does not have a bachelor's degree. Formal study in a theologically related field preferred. Bachelor's
    degree in unrelated field is allowed if applicant has a Master's degree in spiritual care related field or equivalent, or is currently enrolled in such a Master's degree program.
  • Clinical Pastoral Education units: Affiliation with an institutional faith body. For Advent Health hospitals, prefer member of Seventh Day Adventist Church. Four Units (quarters) of CPE (Clinical Pastoral Education). At hire, applicant must have at least one unit of CPE or enroll in our internal Clinical Pastoral Orientation and complete 1 unit of CPE within one year. If the chaplain has less than 4 units of CPE, they must agree to complete additional units in a CPE program (one unit at least every six months until fulfilling the requirement of 4 units) from a nationally recognized accrediting agency listed by the U.S. Department of Education. Fifty hours of continuing education in chaplaincy related topics are required on an annual basis, except when enrolled in CPE or preparing for certification.
  • Current Board Certified Chaplain documentation: Chaplains who have completed 4 units of CPE are expected to become board certified within 12 months. Exceptions must be approved by their manager. Board certification organizations include: National Association of Catholic Chaplains, Board of Chaplaincy Certification Inc, Association of Professional Chaplains, Spiritual Care association (4 units), The Association of Certified Christian Chaplains, or equivalent. Chaplains are required to maintain board certification currency with an organization listed above. 
  • Valid Driver License: Required for Home Health and Hospice positions only

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Master's degree in spiritual care related field or equivalent degree from accredited college/university or institution accredited by the applicant's institutional faith body. Formal study in a theologically related field preferred
Where You'll Work

Mercy Hospital is an 82 bed, acute care hospital located in the scenic southwestern Colorado town of Durango. It is the only hospital in Colorado to be rated by Medicare with five stars for overall hospital quality. It is recognized for excellence in orthopedic and spine surgery and for outstanding patient experience and patient safety. Mercy has also received ten consecutive 'A' grades for patient safety from The Leapfrog Group. Our providers use state-of-the-art technology in an environment designed to promote wellbeing and healing of body, mind, and spirit. Among the many specialty services available at Mercy are emergency care (Level III trauma designation), surgical care, cardiac care (including interventional), Orthopedic and Spine Centers of Excellence, a Family Birthing Center, home care, hospice care and more. Durango offers an exceptional quality of life with small town charm, excellent schools, and year-round, world-class outdoor recreation opportunities including snow sports, river sports, hiking, biking, camping and more.

Qualifications:

In addition to bringing humankindness to the workplace each day, qualified candidates will need the following:

Required Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in spiritual care, Arts or equivalent degree from college/university or institution accredited by the applicant's institutional faith body. Completion of Roman Catholic deacon training and ordination is also acceptable if applicant does not have a bachelor's degree. Formal study in a theologically related field preferred. Bachelor's
    degree in unrelated field is allowed if applicant has a Master's degree in spiritual care related field or equivalent, or is currently enrolled in such a Master's degree program.
  • Clinical Pastoral Education units: Affiliation with an institutional faith body. For Advent Health hospitals, prefer member of Seventh Day Adventist Church. Four Units (quarters) of CPE (Clinical Pastoral Education). At hire, applicant must have at least one unit of CPE or enroll in our internal Clinical Pastoral Orientation and complete 1 unit of CPE within one year. If the chaplain has less than 4 units of CPE, they must agree to complete additional units in a CPE program (one unit at least every six months until fulfilling the requirement of 4 units) from a nationally recognized accrediting agency listed by the U.S. Department of Education. Fifty hours of continuing education in chaplaincy related topics are required on an annual basis, except when enrolled in CPE or preparing for certification.
  • Current Board Certified Chaplain documentation: Chaplains who have completed 4 units of CPE are expected to become board certified within 12 months. Exceptions must be approved by their manager. Board certification organizations include: National Association of Catholic Chaplains, Board of Chaplaincy Certification Inc, Association of Professional Chaplains, Spiritual Care association (4 units), The Association of Certified Christian Chaplains, or equivalent. Chaplains are required to maintain board certification currency with an organization listed above. 
  • Valid Driver License: Required for Home Health and Hospice positions only

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Master's degree in spiritual care related field or equivalent degree from accredited college/university or institution accredited by the applicant's institutional faith body. Formal study in a theologically related field preferred
Employment Type: Full Time

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