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Job outlook for chaplains in the United States
Chaplain job and salary trends over time
Chaplain jobs over time
Chaplain job growth rate over time
Year  | # Of Jobs | % Of Population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 9,220 | 0.00% |
| 2020 | 9,487 | 0.00% |
| 2019 | 9,654 | 0.00% |
| 2018 | 9,251 | 0.00% |
| 2017 | 9,049 | 0.00% |
Average chaplain salary over time
Chaplain salary by year
| Year | Avg. Salary | Hourly Rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $46,392 | $22.30 | +3.1% |
| 2024 | $45,016 | $21.64 | +2.9% |
| 2023 | $43,757 | $21.04 | +4.0% |
| 2022 | $42,069 | $20.23 | +3.0% |
| 2021 | $40,854 | $19.64 | +3.4% |
Chaplain jobs by state
Most common states for chaplains
| Rank | State | Population | # of Jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 28 | 4% |
| 2 | Vermont | 623,657 | 23 | 4% |
| 3 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 23 | 4% |
| 4 | Delaware | 961,939 | 27 | 3% |
| 5 | Alaska | 739,795 | 21 | 3% |
| 6 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 32 | 2% |
| 7 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 27 | 2% |
| 8 | Maine | 1,335,907 | 25 | 2% |
| 9 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 23 | 2% |
| 10 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 22 | 2% |
| 11 | South Dakota | 869,666 | 21 | 2% |
| 12 | Wisconsin | 5,795,483 | 53 | 1% |
| 13 | Washington | 7,405,743 | 52 | 1% |
| 14 | Arizona | 7,016,270 | 42 | 1% |
| 15 | Iowa | 3,145,711 | 40 | 1% |
| 16 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 34 | 1% |
| 17 | Connecticut | 3,588,184 | 31 | 1% |
| 18 | West Virginia | 1,815,857 | 27 | 1% |
| 19 | Nevada | 2,998,039 | 24 | 1% |
| 20 | Idaho | 1,716,943 | 20 | 1% |
Most common cities for chaplains
| Rank | City | # of Jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bridgewater | 2 | 8% | $50,370 |
| 2 | Burlington | 2 | 8% | $49,436 |
| 3 | Milford | 2 | 7% | $50,354 |
| 4 | Palo Alto | 3 | 4% | $68,646 |
| 5 | Apple Valley | 2 | 3% | $65,965 |
| 6 | Council Bluffs | 2 | 3% | $40,783 |
| 7 | Springfield | 3 | 2% | $51,032 |
| 8 | Clearwater | 2 | 2% | $33,729 |
| 9 | Des Moines | 3 | 1% | $42,014 |
| 10 | Fort Wayne | 2 | 1% | $38,549 |
| 11 | Indianapolis | 3 | 0% | $36,690 |
| 12 | Baltimore | 2 | 0% | $45,335 |
| 13 | Boston | 2 | 0% | $49,648 |
| 14 | Denver | 2 | 0% | $43,196 |
| 15 | Fresno | 2 | 0% | $67,261 |
| 16 | Miami | 2 | 0% | $31,986 |
Chaplain job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of chaplain experts
Vanguard University of Southern California
Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary
What general advice would you give to a Chaplain?
Rodolfo Estrada III: Students of theology have the opportunity to pursue careers beyond traditional parish or church ministry. They can find roles as chaplains, work within non-profit organizations, engage in community service, or enter any profession that involves interacting with individuals from various backgrounds and belief systems. I strongly advise acquiring a micro-credential, honing skills in writing and public speaking, or actively collaborating with community leaders to enhance their qualifications and impact.
Leah Thomas Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Pastoral Care and Contextual EducationAnabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary
Church and Ministry
What skills will help Chaplains earn the most?
Leah Thomas Ph.D.: I often say that people who enter pastoral ministry "don't do it for the money"! Indeed, many have left or bypassed lucrative careers to follow a call from God into ministry. Salaries differ by denomination and by geographic location. Those who go into chaplaincy in a large hospital and/or have private pastoral counseling practices may make more money than congregational ministers. But many who enter ministry also adopt a "bi-vocational" ministry, holding more than one job so that they can afford to do ministry.