As of April 01, 2025, the average annual salary for a Hospital Chaplain/Pastor in the United States is $61,900. Salary.com reports that pay typically ranges from $55,800 to $68,500, with most professionals earning between $50,246 and $74,509.
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $68,500 | $5,708 | $1,317 | $33 |
| Average | $61,900 | $5,158 | $1,190 | $30 |
| 25th Percentile | $55,800 | $4,650 | $1,073 | $27 |
An entry-level Hospital Chaplain/Pastor with less than 1 year of experience earns about $59,897. With 1-2 years of experience, the average salary increases to $60,079. For 2-4 years of experience, the pay typically rises to $62,393. Senior-level professionals with 5-8 years of experience earn around $65,151, and those with over 8 years of experience can expect an average of $65,348.
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Entry Level Hospital Chaplain/Pastor | $59,897 |
| Intermediate Level Hospital Chaplain/Pastor | $60,079 |
| Senior Level Hospital Chaplain/Pastor | $62,393 |
| Specialist Level Hospital Chaplain/Pastor | $65,151 |
| Expert Level Hospital Chaplain/Pastor | $65,348 |
| Entry Level | 3% |
| Mid Level | 3% |
| Senior Level | 1% |
| Top Level | 5% |
| Experienced | 6% |
Salaries in the United States differ widely between states due to factors like cost of living, local economies, and industry presence.
What Am I Worth?
Salaries in the United States can vary greatly between cities due to factors like cost of living, local economies, and industry presence.
As of April 01, 2025, our research reveals a significant shift in Hospital Chaplain/Pastor compensation over the past six years. For example, the median salary increased from $53,723 in 2023 to approximately $53,608 in 2024. (For a detailed analysis of Hospital Chaplain/Pastor salary trends, click here.)
Key factors like location, experience, industry demand, and economic growth significantly influence salary variations, making them important to consider.
Salary.com job board provides millions of Hospital Chaplain/Pastor information for you to search for. Click on search button below to see Hospital Chaplain/Pastor job openings or enter a new job title here.
Here are companies hiring for Hospital Chaplain/Pastor and their salaries, click below for more details.
| Core Compensation | ||||
| Core Compensation | Median | % of Total | ||
| Base Salary | $61,900 | 70.8% | ||
| Bonus | $0 | 0.0% | ||
| Value of Benefits | ||||
| Core Compensation | Median | % of Total | ||
| Social Security | $4,735 | 5.4% | ||
| 401K/403B | $3,033 | 3.5% | ||
| Disability | $990 | 1.1% | ||
| Healthcare | $6,371 | 7.3% | ||
| Pension | $2,600 | 3.0% | ||
| Time Off | $7,857 | 9.0% | ||
| Total Compensation | $87,486 | 100% | ||
| Degree Level | % of user with this level of education |
|---|---|
| No Diploma | 0.5% |
| High School | 3.4% |
| Associates | 2.9% |
| Bachelors | 12.6% |
| Masters | 74.9% |
| Doctorate | 5.8% |
What Am I Worth?
Hospital chaplains may not always need formal ordination, but some religious organizations or church-affiliated hospitals might require it. Certain certifications and positions may necessitate an official endorsement or reference from a religious body. Salaries for hospital chaplains typically range from $61,700 to $75,700, with a mid-salary of $68,300.
Yes, a hospital chaplain can arrange marriages, either personally or by coordinating with a recognized religious leader. Privacy and space are important during the ceremony. The average salary for a hospital chaplain ranges from $61,700 to $75,700, reflecting their vital role in providing spiritual support and services within the hospital setting.
In New York City, a Hospital Chaplain typically earns between $61,700 and $75,700 annually, with a median salary of around $68,300. This places the average monthly pay at approximately $5,058 to $6,308. Other related chaplain roles may offer similar or slightly varying salaries.
The highest earning chaplains typically work in Government & Public Administration, with a median salary of $74,670. In comparison, Hospital Chaplains earn between $61,700 and $75,700, with a median salary of $68,300. Other sectors like Human Resources and Healthcare offer lower median salaries, making Government the most lucrative field for chaplains.
To become a hospital chaplain, many organizations require an advanced degree, such as a Master of Science in Spiritual Care or a master's in divinity. These graduate degrees equip chaplains for pastoral care in diverse settings and can lead to a competitive salary range, with minimum salaries around $61,700, mid-range salaries at $68,300, and maximum salaries reaching $75,700.
Yes, hospital chaplains can receive a housing allowance, as they are considered ministers for payroll tax purposes. This designation allows hospitals to provide a housing allowance, which can be beneficial given the salary range for hospital chaplains, typically between $61,700 and $75,700, with a mid-salary of $68,300.
Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.
We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)
With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.
