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Sports Chaplain Jobs (NOW HIRING)

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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 Aug 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 is a sports chaplain?

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.

Are sports chaplains paid?

Sports chaplains are often volunteers, but some are paid professionals depending on the organization or sports team. Paid positions may include a salary or stipend, especially in professional or semi-professional settings, and typically require relevant training or certification. Compensation varies widely based on the level of sport and the organization’s resources.
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:
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Infographic showing various Sports Chaplain job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 1% As Needed, 63% Full Time, 33% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $63,587 per year, or $30.6 per hour.

Full-time

Re-posted 23 days ago


Job description

The Director is responsible for growing the ministry by praying, staffing, and funding the area through theAdvancement Lanes: Ministry, Board, Donor, Talent and International. The Director works in alignment withthe Regional Vice President, staff, and board(s) to fulfill the FCA Vision, pursue the FCA Mission, and livethe FCA Values by developing and executing a ministry plan for the assigned area. In the FCA Sports Environment(s),the Director creates a strategic, consistent approach to discipleship -- making discipleswho make disciples. The Director is accountable for ensuring that the FCA ministry is conducted accordingto biblical standards and adhering to FCA policies and procedures.

MINISTERIAL DUTIES

FCA believes these responsibilities are critical to our mission and that this position plays a vital role in our ministry. FCA expects all functions and responsibilities outlined below to be carried out with a heart surrendered to serving God as a form of worship.

  • Agree with, and abide by, FCA's Christian Community Statement.
  • Follow a spiritual rhythm including daily prayer and Bible study to seek the Lord's will for the ministry of FCA.
  • Lead, conduct and provide spiritual leadership for staff, volunteers, coaches and athletes through prayer, Bible study, worship and living by example so they are equipped to serve others.
  • Be connected to and participate in a local church through worship and weekly involvement.
  • At all times, conduct yourself in a manner that affirms biblical standards of conduct in accordance with FCA's Christian beliefs. (see FCA's Christian Community Statement for details)

MINISTRY ADVANCEMENT

  • Ensure FCA is engaging, equipping, and empowering coaches, athletes, and volunteersthrough 1-on-1s, Huddles and events.
  • Train and equip staff to empower coaches and athletes to be disciples who make disciples inthe Sports Environments.
TALENT ADVANCEMENT
  • Oversee recruiting, hiring, training and developing effective and diverse staff.
    • Recruit: Actively attract and recruit highly qualified staff prospects to specific ministryopportunities identified in the ministry plan.
    • Hire: Select candidates, ensure they become fully funded, and onboard to fulfill specificroles and responsibilities based upon their calling, character, competence and chemistry.
    • Train: Provide tools, resources and training to develop staff members' skills and increasetheir capacity and competence to effectively execute their responsibilities.
    • Develop: Prepare staff to lead self, lead others, lead teams and lead organizationally intheir current roles and to grow spiritually, personally and professionally for futureopportunities.
  • Ensure the recruiting, training, and developing of volunteers is strategically aligned with the goal ofgrowing the ministry in the Sports Environments.

BOARD ADVANCEMENT

  • Invite, involve, and invest in leadership boards who are committed to pray, serve, and give toadvance the ministry.
  • Encourage Representatives to surround themselves with Advisory Teams.

DONOR ADVANCEMENT

  • Serve as the chief fundraiser and financial manager.
  • Provide tools, resources, and training for FCA staff to fund the ministry by connecting,communicating, and caring for donors.
  • Establish and execute an annual budget and funding plan by training and developing staff ingrowing Home Teams, major donors, and events.

INTERNATIONAL ADVANCEMENT

  • Serve the aligned International Region by mobilizing staff and volunteers to pray, give, and go.

The FCA Director at West Point must be prepared to serve within the unique structure, standards, and mission of the United States Military Academy (USMA). USMA is a military installation. FCA ministry at West Point operates as part of the Academy's club program and must support cadet spiritual readiness, leader development, and the Academy's core values of Duty, Honor, Country.

The Director will serve in coordination with, and under the approval of, the USMA Chaplain and designated religious club leadership. This requires a highly collaborative posture, mature judgment, and a willingness to align FCA ministry efforts with USMA policies and the expectations of a military training environment. The Director must be able to build trust with cadets, leadership, staff, faculty, officers, and other religious club leaders while maintaining a spirit of respect, cooperation, and unity across the West Point community.

The Director must be eligible to serve as a religious club leader/volunteer at USMA, including meeting access requirements for the Cadet Area, completing required background screening, completing annual leader/volunteer training, and complying

with all applicable USMA, Army, DoD, and USMA Chaplain policies. The Director must also

complete required Sexual Harassment & Abuse or approved equivalent training prior to working with cadets.

The Director will be expected to lead and support religious education, discipleship, mentoring, Bible studies, outreach, and approved FCA activities only in authorized locations and in accordance with USMA guidelines. Ministry with cadets must always be conducted with professionalism, appropriate boundaries, explicit cadet consent for meetings outside normal club times, and a clear understanding that club leaders/volunteers do not possess clergy privilege.

The Director will also be responsible for ensuring that FCA-related curriculum, religious materials, promotional materials, guest speakers, special events, and retreats are properly coordinated and approved through the USMA Chaplain's Office in accordance with Academy policy. This position requires someone who is both missionally committed and institutionally wise-able to bring the heart of FCA to West Point while honoring the culture, command structure, and leadership development mission of the Academy.