Chaplain
Also known as: lay representative, imam, prison chaplain, hospital chaplain, university chaplain, military chaplain
About this occupation
Chaplains perform religious activities in secular institutions. They perform counselling services and provide spiritual and emotional support to the people in the institution, as well as cooperate with priests or other religious officials to support religious activities in the community.
Essential skills and knowledge
- interpret religious texts
- promote religious activities
- respond to enquiries
- provide spiritual counselling
- show empathy
- psychological counselling methods
- provide social counselling
- perform religious ceremonies
- reinforce positive behaviour
- observe confidentiality
- provide charity services
Typical tasks and preparation
From the related US occupation profile Clergy (O*NET 21-2011.00). Linked by an official crosswalk: related, not identical; details vary by country.
- Pray and promote spirituality.
- Prepare and deliver sermons or other talks.
- Read from sacred texts, such as the Bible, Torah, or Koran.
- Organize and lead regular religious services.
- Instruct people who seek conversion to a particular faith.
- Share information about religious issues by writing articles, giving speeches, or teaching.
- Typical education (US)
- Master's Degree
- Preparation
- Job Zone 5 of 5
- Interests
- Social, Enterprising, Artistic
Top skills: Speaking, Active Listening, Social Perceptiveness, Instructing, Service Orientation, Reading Comprehension
US median pay: US$60,810 a year (2025), 57,200 employed. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Subjects this work relies on
How important each subject's knowledge is in the job itself, rated by people doing it (1 to 5).
- Divinity or PhilosophyO*NET: Philosophy and TheologyExtremely important (4.7)
- English or Literature in EnglishO*NET: English LanguageVery important (4.2)
- Business Studies or EntrepreneurshipO*NET: Administration and ManagementVery important (4.1)
- Media StudiesO*NET: Communications and MediaVery important (3.7)
- PsychologyO*NET: PsychologyVery important (3.7)
- SociologyO*NET: Sociology and AnthropologyVery important (3.6)
- Fine Art or Music or Drama and TheatreO*NET: Fine ArtsImportant (3.2)
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Preparation needed
Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed
- Most common education (US)
- Master's Degree
- Education
- Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).
- Experience
- Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.
- Training
- Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training.
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Related occupations
Occupations O*NET links to this one by similar work, skills and knowledge.
- Directors, Religious Activities and Education
- Child, Family, and School Social Workers
- Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors
- Social and Human Service Assistants
- Social and Community Service Managers
- Philosophy and Religion Teachers, Postsecondary
- Community Health Workers
- Marriage and Family Therapists
- Healthcare Social Workers
- Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.