How much does a Hospital chaplain make

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Hospital chaplain

50 800 kr

Priests

50 400 - 51 300 kr / month

Women earn 98% of what men do.

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Salary progression Hospital chaplain

Average salary 50 800 kr
Males 51 300 kr
Females 50 400 kr
1 Likes 0 Comments 6 Vacant jobs ->

What does a hospital chaplain do? – Tasks and work environment

Hospital chaplains work to provide existential, spiritual, and emotional support to patients, relatives, and healthcare staff. The work includes conversations in crisis and grief management, participating in difficult conversations, baptisms, confessions, and sometimes funerals. Hospital chaplains often collaborate with other healthcare professionals and are available regardless of the patient's faith or worldview. The work environment spans various hospital departments, requiring flexibility, sensitivity, and the ability to meet people in vulnerable situations.

Salary development over time

The salary for hospital chaplains has steadily increased over the past three years. In 2022, the average salary was 46,400 SEK per month, followed by an increase to 49 600 SEK in 2023 and further to 50,800 SEK in 2024. The total salary increase during this period is approximately 9.5%, representing a noticeable rise compared to several other healthcare and social work professions. The trend reflects high demand for hospital chaplains and increasing recognition of their role in healthcare. The salary increase can also be linked to the fact that hospital chaplains often have extensive education and specialist competence in both theology and conversation therapy.

Hospital chaplain salary – complete overview

  • Average salary: 50,800 SEK/month
  • Lowest salary: 50,400 SEK/month
  • Highest salary: 51,300 SEK/month
  • Hourly wage: 306 SEK
  • Women: 50,400 SEK/month (98% of men's salary)
  • Men: 51,300 SEK/month
  • Regional differences: No clear differences reported

Education and qualifications

To work as a hospital chaplain, a university degree in theology is required, often supplemented with pastoral training and practical experience within the Church of Sweden or another denomination. Besides formal degrees, experience in conversation therapy and the ability to handle difficult life situations are valued. Some employers also value further training in crisis management and healthcare ethics.

  • Bachelor's degree in theology or religious studies (3 years)
  • Pastoral theological training (1–1.5 years)
  • Internship within church or denomination
  • Courses in conversation techniques and crisis management
  • Ability to work ecumenically and interreligiously

Many hospital chaplains participate in ethics councils and interdisciplinary teams, where their perspectives often contribute to improving patient care and the working environment for staff.

– statsskuld.se

Common benefits and compensation

Hospital chaplains often have access to collective agreement benefits such as occupational pension, wellness contributions, and opportunities for professional development. Flexible working hours and support for further education are common, as well as compensation for on-call and standby duties.

Challenges and competition

The number of positions for hospital chaplains is limited, which means competition for permanent employment can be high, especially in metropolitan areas. The role requires significant emotional resilience and the ability to handle difficult conversations daily. Challenges can also arise in meeting patients from diverse cultural and religious backgrounds, where openness and respect are crucial. In recent years, demand for hospital chaplains has increased, but recruitment is affected by retirements and changes in healthcare organization. The work environment can be psychologically demanding, but many find the work meaningful and rewarding.

Tips for those wishing to become a hospital chaplain

To succeed as a hospital chaplain, it's good to combine empathy with active listening skills and the ability to build trust in stressful situations. Developing good self-awareness makes it easier to handle emotionally challenging meetings while maintaining personal balance. Strong teamwork skills facilitate collaboration with other healthcare professionals, while flexibility is key to meeting diverse needs of patients and relatives. Being communicative and clear helps both in conversations and documentation, and a solid ethical compass is fundamental for making wise decisions in complex situations. Finally, being open to ongoing education and regularly reflecting on your professional role are important for development and well-being in the work.

Key facts about Hospital Chaplain

  • Average salary: 50,800 SEK/month
  • Education level: Bachelor's degree in theology + pastoral training
  • Gender salary difference: Women earn 98% of men's salary
  • Work environment: Hospitals, often interdisciplinary teams
  • Available positions: 237 advertised jobs in the profession

Career paths and future prospects

After three to five years as a hospital chaplain, there are opportunities to advance to coordinating or leadership roles within hospital pastoral care, such as head of hospital chaplaincy or trainer in ethics and communication. Some move on to regional or national assignments within the Church of Sweden or other denominations, or engage in development projects related to spiritual care. Forecasts from the Employment Service indicate stable demand, and with 237 available positions, the job market is currently relatively good, especially for those willing to work in different locations.

Frequently asked questions about Hospital Chaplain

  • What does a hospital chaplain earn?
    - The average salary is 50,800 SEK per month, with an hourly rate of 306 SEK.
  • What education is required to become a hospital chaplain?
    - A bachelor's degree in theology or religious studies and pastoral training are required.
  • Are there gender salary differences?
    - Yes, women earn 98% of what men do in the profession.
  • What does the job market look like for hospital chaplains?
    - Currently, there are 237 available positions and stable demand according to the Employment Service.
  • What personal qualities are important for a hospital chaplain?
    - Empathy, attentiveness, teamwork skills, and ethical awareness are key qualities.
  • Do hospital chaplains work only within the Church of Sweden?
    - No, other denominations and religious traditions can also have hospital chaplains or similar roles.
  • What benefits are included for hospital chaplains?
    - Common benefits include occupational pension, wellness contributions, and professional development opportunities.

Richard Andersson

Richard Andersson - 2025-07-08 00:30:33

Occupation
Who has the highest salary?
The highest salary for a Hospital chaplain is 51300 kr. This salary belongs to a man working in the Privately employed officials with a unspecified education. The highest salary for a woman in this profession is 50800 kr.
Who has the lowest salary?
The lowest salary for a Hospital chaplain is 50400 kr. This salary belongs to a woman also working in the Multiple sectors. The lowest salary for a man in this profession is 51200 kr.
Salary distributed by age and sector
Age Women's salary as a percentage of men's Base salary Monthly salary
35-44 47500 kr 49600 kr
45-54 49800 kr 51600 kr
55-64 97% 49300 kr 51000 kr
Snitt 98% 49000 kr 50800 kr
* Empty columns indicate that the statistical data was insufficient to allow for a statistically significant conclusion.
Salary per sector
Salary based on education
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About the data

All information displayed on this page is based on data from the Swedish Central Bureau of Statistics (SCB), the Swedish Tax Agency and the Swedish employment agency. Learn more about our data and data sources here.

All figures are gross salaries, meaning salaries before tax. The average salary, or mean salary, is calculated by adding up the total salary for all individuals within the profession and dividing it by the number of individuals. For specific job categories, we have also considered various criteria such as experience and education.

Profession Hospital chaplain has the SSYK code 2671, which we use to match against the SCB database to obtain the latest salary statistics.

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