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Va Chaplain Jobs (NOW HIRING)

SD Department of Veterans Affairs

Chaplain

Columbia, MO · On-site

$89K/yr

This position is located within the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Veterans Health Administration (VHA), Chaplain Service (CS). The position provides services within various settings, including ...

SD Department of Veterans Affairs

Chaplain

Danville, IL

$89K/yr

This position is located within the Illiana VA Medical Center, Danville, Illinois for Chaplain Services. The Chaplain provides services within various settings, including Veterans Integrated Service ...

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Ladgov Corporation

Pastor

Aurora, CO · On-site

The faith group must be listed on the official Ecclesiastical Endorsing Organizations list maintained by The National VA Chaplain Service. * Education--Candidates must possess a Master of Divinity ...

Ladgov Corporation

Pastor

Aurora, CO · On-site

The faith group must be listed on the official Ecclesiastical Endorsing Organizations list maintained by The National VA Chaplain Service. * Education-Candidates must possess a Master of Divinity ...

Ladgov Corporation

Pastor

Aurora, CO · On-site

The faith group must be listed on the official Ecclesiastical Endorsing Organizations list maintained by The National VA Chaplain Service. * Education-Candidates must possess a Master of Divinity ...

Ladgov Corporation

Pastor

Aurora, CO · On-site

The faith group must be listed on the official Ecclesiastical Endorsing Organizations list maintained by The National VA Chaplain Service. * Education--Candidates must possess a Master of Divinity ...

Sentara

Associate Chaplain- Flexi

Woodbridge, VA

$10K/mo

City/State Woodbridge, VA Work Shift Rotating Overview: Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center is hiring a Flexi (On-Call) Associate Chaplain for a Flexi, on call role in Woodbridge, VA. About the ...

Sentara

Associate Chaplain- Flexi

Woodbridge, VA

City/State Woodbridge, VA Work Shift Rotating Overview: Sentara Northern Virginia Medical Center is hiring a Flexi (On-Call) Associate Chaplain for a Flexi, on call role in Woodbridge, VA. About the ...

Veterans Health Administration

Chaplain

Danville, IL · On-site +1

$89K - $116K/yr

Summary This position is located within the Illiana VA Medical Center, Danville, Illinois for Chaplain Services. The Chaplain provides services within various settings, including Veterans Integrated ...

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Va Chaplain information

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$29K

$63.6K

$98K

How much do va chaplain jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 13, 2026, the average yearly pay for va 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 does a chaplain do at the VA?

A VA chaplain provides spiritual support, counseling, and religious services to veterans and their families. They offer emotional care, facilitate religious ceremonies, and assist with coping strategies, often working in a hospital or clinical setting and holding relevant certifications or ordinations.

What are some common challenges VA Chaplains face when supporting veterans and their families?

VA Chaplains often encounter the challenge of providing spiritual and emotional support to veterans from diverse backgrounds, many of whom may be coping with trauma, grief, or moral injury. Balancing the unique needs and beliefs of each individual while maintaining a respectful and inclusive environment is essential. Additionally, chaplains frequently collaborate with mental health professionals and medical staff to ensure holistic care, which requires strong communication and teamwork skills. Adapting to the emotional demands of the role and managing personal well-being are also important aspects of the job.

How do you become a VA chaplain?

To become a VA chaplain, candidates typically need a master's degree in divinity or theology, ordination or commissioning by a recognized religious organization, and clinical pastoral education (CPE) training. Veterans Affairs often require certification from the Association of Professional Chaplains or similar bodies and relevant experience in pastoral care, with some positions requiring security clearances and adherence to VA employment standards.

What are VA Chaplains?

VA Chaplains are professional spiritual care providers who work within the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) medical centers and facilities. They offer emotional, spiritual, and religious support to veterans, their families, and VA staff, regardless of religious affiliation or beliefs. VA Chaplains provide counseling, conduct religious services, and support patients facing illness, trauma, or end-of-life issues. They play a key role in holistic care by addressing the spiritual needs of veterans as part of the overall healthcare team.

What is the difference between Va Chaplain vs Va Social Worker?

AspectVa ChaplainVa Social Worker
Required CredentialsReligious ordination, chaplain certification, sometimes a master's in theology or divinityMaster's in social work (MSW), state licensure, clinical social work certification
Work EnvironmentHospitals, VA medical centers, military bases, spiritual care settingsHospitals, VA facilities, community agencies, mental health clinics
Employer & Industry UsageVeterans Affairs, religious organizations, military healthcareVeterans Affairs, healthcare providers, social service agencies

While both roles serve veterans within the VA system, Va Chaplains focus on spiritual support and religious care, requiring ordination and theological training. Va Social Workers provide mental health and social support, requiring social work degrees and licensure. Their work environments often overlap, but their primary functions differ based on training and scope of practice.

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

To thrive as a VA Chaplain, you need a master’s degree in divinity or a related field, ordination or endorsement from a recognized faith group, and experience in pastoral care. Familiarity with electronic medical record systems and knowledge of hospital protocols are often required. Compassion, strong listening skills, and cultural sensitivity are essential soft skills for supporting veterans from diverse backgrounds. These competencies are vital for providing effective spiritual care, emotional support, and ethical guidance within the unique environment of VA healthcare facilities.

Where do chaplains get paid the most?

Chaplain salaries tend to be highest in regions with a higher cost of living and larger healthcare or military institutions, such as major metropolitan areas or military bases. Federal government positions and large hospital systems often offer higher pay compared to smaller organizations or community settings. Experience, certifications, and the specific sector also influence salary levels for chaplains.

Can I be a chaplain without being ordained?

Va Chaplains typically are required to be ordained or credentialed by their religious organization, as ordination demonstrates the necessary spiritual authority and training. However, some chaplain roles may accept non-ordained individuals if they have relevant experience, certifications, or specialized training, depending on the employer's requirements. It is important to review specific job postings for their particular qualifications and credentialing standards.
More about Va Chaplain jobs
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Va Chaplain jobs near you
Infographic showing various Va Chaplain job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 4% Locum Tenens, 1% As Needed, 84% Full Time, and 11% Part Time. Highlights an 99% Physical, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $63,587 per year, or $30.6 per hour.

Chaplain

SD Department of Veterans Affairs

Columbia, MO • On-site

$89K/yr

Other

Re-posted 9 days ago

Job description

This position is located within the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Veterans Health Administration (VHA), Chaplain Service (CS). The position provides services within various settings, including Veterans Integrated Service Networks (VISNs), Inpatient Clinics, Outpatient Clinics, and domiciliaries throughout the United States. The Chaplain Service provides pastoral counseling and treatment to Veteran patients, patient's families, and staff in various inpatient and outpatient settings.
Qualifications:Basic Requirements:
  • United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
  • English Language Proficiency. Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7403(f).
  • Education. Applicant must possess a Master of Divinity degree or equivalent educational qualifications as evidenced by a graduate-level theological degree from a college, university or theological school accredited by a member of the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) (https://www.chea.org/) or Association of Theological Schools (ATS) (https://www.ats.edu/) and recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. NOTE: For applicants who do not possess a Master of Divinity degree or equivalent educational degree may meet this requirement with an approved educational equivalency review from a nationally recognized board certification body for chaplains. This would include the Board of Chaplaincy Certification Inc. (BCCI) or a U.S. certifying body that has a reciprocity agreement with BCCI.
  • Ecclesiastical Endorsement. In accordance with 38 C.F.R. 17.655, ecclesiastical endorsement is a condition of employment as a VA chaplain. An individual must possess and maintain a full and active ecclesiastical endorsement to be employed as a VA chaplain. Applicants must have an ecclesiastical endorsement, dated within the past 12 months. Ecclesiastical endorsements must be from the official national endorsing authority of the applicant's/employee's faith group or denomination. Ecclesiastical endorsement is a written official statement, by the official national endorsing body of the faith group or denomination, certifying that the applicant is in good standing with the applicant's faith group or denomination; and stating that the individual is, in the opinion of the endorsing body, qualified to perform the full range of ministry required in the VA pluralistic setting. Loss of endorsement will result in removal from the GS-0060 Chaplain series and may result in termination of employment. The National Chaplain Service maintains a list of approved endorsing organizations that can be found here: National VA Chaplain Service SharePoint.
  • Board Certification
    • Certification: Applicants must be a Board-Certified Chaplain certified by BCCI or a U.S. certifying body that has a reciprocity agreement with BCCI . Board Certification that requires 4 units of CPE is qualifying. The National Chaplain Service maintains a list of approved certifications found on the National VA Chaplain Service SharePoint. NOTE: Provisional or Associate or other status as a candidate for board certification does not meet the board certification requirement for the FPL GS-11 or above.
  • Loss of Credential. Management officials, in collaboration with HR Office staff must immediately relieve employees who fail to maintain any of the required certifications (board certification, ecclesiastical endorsement, or when applicable a specialty certification) of the duties and responsibilities associated with this occupation which may also result in separation from employment.
  • Foreign Education. To be creditable, education completed outside the U.S. must be submitted to a current affiliate agency of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) at https://www.naces.org/members and be deemed at least equivalent to that gained in a conventional U.S. program.
May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria.
Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates.
Chaplain (GS-12)
  • Experience. The candidate must have one year of creditable experience equivalent to the journey level (GS-11) that is directly related to the position to be filled.
AND
  • Specialty Certification. Specialty certification is demonstrated advanced practice and/or specialization in chaplaincy beyond the board certification. You must possess a Specialty Certification from a professional chaplain certifying body that is directly related to the position being filled. The list of Board Certifying Chaplain Organizations and Specialty Certifying Organization is located here: https://www.patientcare.va.gov/chaplain/Employment_Information_and_Resources.asp.
AND
  • Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs). In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:
    • Ability to apply relevant theories and methodologies to their ministry specialty.
    • Ability to integrate specialized psychological and sociological theory with an advanced approach to spiritual care.
    • Skill to seek out primary research and research literature that informs the ministry specialty and one's spiritual care practice.
    • Skill in developing and implementing methods for measuring effectiveness of chaplain practice and services in the specialty area, utilizing outcome evaluations to improve treatment services and to design system changes.
    • Ability to mediate conflict, hold various emotions and diffuse moral distress among staff and complex crisis situations.
    • Ability to provide specialized consultation, teaching and mentoring to colleagues and students on advanced spiritual care interventions in the service delivery area.
    • Ability to apply advanced clinical knowledge to write policies, procedures and/or practice guidelines pertaining to the service delivery area.
Assignment. For all assignments above the FPL, the higher-level duties must be of significant scope, administrative independence, complexity, and range of variety as described in this standard at the specified grade level and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time. This assignment is a senior chaplain. Senior chaplain assignments may include serving at a facility in clinical settings where there is limited access to onsite supervision such as small health care systems, Community Based Outpatient Clinics, other Federal agencies or satellite outpatient clinics. Senior chaplains typically practice in a specialized program area, that may include intensive and extended pastoral counseling as an integral part of the treatment program, with patients facing complex moral, ethical, or spiritual problems. The senior chaplain may be assigned administrative responsibility to independently develop and implement programs and curriculum. They are accountable for clinical program effectiveness and modification of service patterns, which may include research and leadership of clinical teams. The senior chaplain works with full understanding of its relationship to the objectives of the institution, and to successfully integrate it with the work of the institutional staff, collaborates with and advises the other senior members of the treatment team in the provision of comprehensive health care services to Veterans, ensures equity of access, service, and benefits to this population, ensures the care provided is of the highest quality. The senior chaplain provides leadership, direction, orientation, coaching, in-service training, staff development, and continuing education programs for assigned chaplain staff. This assignment is to be relatively few in number based on the size of the facility/service and applying sound position management. This assignment must represent substantial additional responsibility over and above that required at the full performance grade level and should not be used as the FPL of this occupation.
Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.Education:Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.Employment Type: OTHER

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