How much does a religious worker make?
a year · about $22 an hour
A typical religious worker in the United States makes $45,280 a year, about $22 an hour, about the same as a typical US worker (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).
What do they do?
Some religious workers prepare lessons or services, then teach a group or offer guidance to people who ask for help. In a hospital, a chaplain may visit patients and join nurses and social workers on care rounds.
Did you know? Some U.S. military chaplains also support service members who say they have no religion.
Is that a lot?
Compared with jobs you knowIf 100 people had this job
Most earn between $31,200 and $93,900How do you become one?
This U.S. job group has no single path; training depends on the role, faith group, and employer. Federal prison chaplains, for example, need a bachelor's degree, graduate religious studies, ministry experience, and faith-group endorsement.
Why does pay differ?
In the United States, pay can differ with experience, education or faith-group credentials, the employer, and the location. Duties and hours can matter too: a hospital, prison, or community role may involve different work.
Where does it pay most?
Highest in Washington ($62,620), lowest in Pennsylvania ($34,580).
See every state
Top 5 and bottom 3 states, typical (median) yearly pay.
Jobs like this
Data table and sources
| Lower earner (10th from bottom) | Typical person (median) | Higher earner (10th from top) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|---|
| $31,200 | $45,280 | $93,900 | about 16,000 |
| State | Typical person (median) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Washington | $62,620 | about 790 |
| Arizona | $50,750 | about 530 |
| Georgia | $49,200 | about 630 |
| Illinois | $47,070 | about 600 |
| Michigan | $46,960 | about 810 |
Official definition: All religious workers not listed separately.
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025 (bls.gov); descriptions and related jobs from O*NET 31.0. Figures as of May 2025, full-time yearly pay (hourly × 2,080 hours). bls.gov/oes · O*NET OnLine
Pages used for the text
- www.bls.gov/oes/2023/may/oes212099.htm
- www.onetonline.org/link/summary/21-2099.00
- www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2015/article/wage-differences.htm
- www.bop.gov/jobs/positions/docs/chaplain_faq.pdf
- www.patientcare.va.gov/chaplain/what_do_chaplains_do.asp
- www.army.mil/article/200874/military_chaplains_serve_non_religious_service_membe
Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025 · 1 USD = 150 JPY