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The following page shows the career & education requirements, salary and job outlook for Pastoral Counseling around the country.
What We Do
Pastoral counselors work with clients who are dealing with certain issues involving anxiety, anger, child abuse, blended families, domestic violence, depression, fear, family discord, hurt, grief, relationship issues, marital struggles, substance abuse, stress, terminal illness, and many more. What sets these counselors apart from others, however, is that they approach these problems from a Christ-centered perspective. As such, what they provide is a more spiritual form of counseling.
Work Environment
Pastoral counselors work in private offices, churches, schools, foster care and adoption agencies, hospitals, funeral homes, and homeless shelters, to name but a few. Essentially, they can be found in any location where there are usually mental health professionals, but always with a focus on Christ. Hence, many are found within charitable organizations that are church-led.
How to Become a Pastoral Counseling
To become a pastoral counselor, people must complete a master’s degree in counseling as a minimum. Most of these professionals go on to achieve a doctorate degree. The focus is often on counseling and psychology, which can either be completed at a Christ-centered school, or which can have subject areas relating to Christian values.
Training & Certification Requirements
Pastoral counselors are licensed by their respective states. In all states, a minimum of a master’s degree is required to become one, but most have set a standard of accepting only those with a doctorate degree. Additionally, people can complete the pastoral counselor certification. This is a voluntary certification that is offered by the American Association of Pastoral Counselors.
Pastoral Counseling Related Job Titles
According to Indeed.com, the following career/job titles with salary figures are most closely related to Pastoral Counseling.
| Career/Job Title | Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Senior Chaplain | $42,000 |
| Child Protection Specialist | $66,000 |
| Chaplain Associate | $37,000 |
| Teacher Second Grade | $34,000 |
| Religious Coordinator | $43,000 |
| Teacher Sixth Grade Elementary | $38,000 |
| Corrections Shift Supervisor | $49,000 |
| Residential Treatment Counselor | $24,000 |
| Teacher Fourth Grade | $34,000 |
| Teacher Fifth Grade | $34,000 |
Pastoral Counseling Earning Potential
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median annual salary for all mental health counselors and marriage and family therapists was $43,190 per year in 2015. This means that about half earned more, and the other half earn less. The earning potential of a pastoral counselor is affected by many different issues. Those who work directly within a church are often paid less, mainly due to the fact that they are not state sponsored. Those who work in private offices, however, are found to generally earn the most.
Pastoral Counseling Job Outlook
According to the BLS, there will be a growth of 19% in demand for mental health counselors and marriage and family therapists between 2014 and 2024. This is much faster rate than the national average for most other professions. Religion is starting to play a major role in society again, which means the likelihood of demand increasing further can be expected.
According to Indeed.com, the average national salary of jobs for Pastoral Counseling was $54,000.00 with a high confidence ranking based on over 250 sources. Average Pastoral Counseling salaries for job postings nationwide are 6% lower than average salaries for all job postings nationwide.
Pastoral Counseling Salary by State
The following lists Pastoral Counseling salaries in each state around the country. The figures are based on the total number of job postings by employers through Indeed.com. For example, DC had the largest quoted salary of $68,000 while Hawaii had the smallest quoted salary of $33,000.
| Alaska – $40,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 48th | ||||||||||
| Average Pastoral Counseling salaries for job postings in Alaska are 26% lower than average Pastoral Counseling salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 48th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like . | |||||||||||
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| Alabama – $55,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 12th | ||||||||||
| Average Pastoral Counseling salaries for job postings in Alabama are 1% higher than average Pastoral Counseling salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 12th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Grandview Medical Center, Curo Health Services, Compassus, and SouthernCare, Inc.. | |||||||||||
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| Arkansas – $55,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 13th | ||||||||||
| Average Pastoral Counseling salaries for job postings in Arkansas are 2% higher than average Pastoral Counseling salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 13th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Department of Correction and Mercy. | |||||||||||
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| Arizona – $44,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 44th | ||||||||||
| Average Pastoral Counseling salaries for job postings in Arizona are 18% lower than average Pastoral Counseling salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 44th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Edkey, Inc., Corrections Corporation of America, Scotsdale Unified School District, and Scottsdale USD 48. | |||||||||||
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| California – $58,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 7th | ||||||||||
| Average Pastoral Counseling salaries for job postings in California are 7% higher than average Pastoral Counseling salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 7th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Sutter Health, VITAS Healthcare, Kaiser Permanente, and Guiding Hands School. | |||||||||||
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| Colorado – $48,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 32nd | ||||||||||
| Average Pastoral Counseling salaries for job postings in Colorado are 11% lower than average Pastoral Counseling salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 32nd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Curo Health Services, Mental Health Center of Denver, SouthernCare, Inc., and Victory Church. | |||||||||||
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| Connecticut – $62,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 4th | ||||||||||
| Average Pastoral Counseling salaries for job postings in Connecticut are 15% higher than average Pastoral Counseling salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 4th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Jewish Senior Services, Hartford HealthCare at Home, Caring Hospice, and VITAS Healthcare. | |||||||||||
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| DC – $68,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 1st | ||||||||||
| Average Pastoral Counseling salaries for job postings in Washington, DC are 25% higher than average Pastoral Counseling salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 1st among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Capital Caring, VITAS Healthcare, Prince George's Community College, and Community United Methodist Church. | |||||||||||
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| Delaware – $47,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 38th | ||||||||||
| Average Pastoral Counseling salaries for job postings in Delaware are 12% lower than average Pastoral Counseling salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 38th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Christiana Care, VITAS Healthcare, Nemours, and Wesley College. | |||||||||||
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| Florida – $50,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 27th | ||||||||||
| Average Pastoral Counseling salaries for job postings in Florida are 7% lower than average Pastoral Counseling salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 27th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Miami Children's Initiative, Catholic Hospice, PeopleFirst Florida HR, and Avow Hospice, Inc.. | |||||||||||
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| Georgia – $62,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 5th | ||||||||||
| Average Pastoral Counseling salaries for job postings in Georgia are 14% higher than average Pastoral Counseling salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 5th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like SouthernCare, Inc., Curo Health Services, Grady Health System, and Memorial Health. | |||||||||||
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| Hawaii – $33,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 51st | ||||||||||
| Average Pastoral Counseling salaries for job postings in Hawaii are 38% lower than average Pastoral Counseling salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 51st among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Hawaii State Judiciary. | |||||||||||
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| Iowa – $53,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 16th | ||||||||||
| Average Pastoral Counseling salaries for job postings in Iowa are 2% lower than average Pastoral Counseling salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 16th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Ruth Harbor Home and Sisters of Charity, BVM. | |||||||||||
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| Idaho – $35,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 50th | ||||||||||
| Average Pastoral Counseling salaries for job postings in Idaho are 34% lower than average Pastoral Counseling salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 50th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like St. Luke's Health System, Heart 'n Home Hospice and Palliative Care, LLC, and Hospice Partners. | |||||||||||
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| Illinois – $61,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 6th | ||||||||||
| Average Pastoral Counseling salaries for job postings in Illinois are 13% higher than average Pastoral Counseling salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 6th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Heartland Alliance, HERITAGE BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CENTER, Treatment Alternatives for Safe Communities, and Camelot Care Centers. | |||||||||||
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| Indiana – $52,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 20th | ||||||||||
| Average Pastoral Counseling salaries for job postings in Indiana are 4% lower than average Pastoral Counseling salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 20th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Meridian Health Services, Curo Health Services, Oaklawn Psychiatric Center, and SouthernCare, Inc.. | |||||||||||
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| Kansas – $49,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 30th | ||||||||||
| Average Pastoral Counseling salaries for job postings in Kansas are 9% lower than average Pastoral Counseling salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 30th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like SouthernCare, Inc., Hutchinson Regional Healthcare System, and Curo Health Services. | |||||||||||
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| Kentucky – $47,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 39th | ||||||||||
| Average Pastoral Counseling salaries for job postings in Kentucky are 14% lower than average Pastoral Counseling salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 39th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Catholic Health Initiatives, KentuckyOne Health, Southeast Christian Church, and Owensboro Health. | |||||||||||
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| Louisiana – $48,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 33rd | ||||||||||
| Average Pastoral Counseling salaries for job postings in Louisiana are 11% lower than average Pastoral Counseling salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 33rd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Louisiana State Government. | |||||||||||
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| Massachusetts – $65,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 2nd | ||||||||||
| Average Pastoral Counseling salaries for job postings in Massachusetts are 20% higher than average Pastoral Counseling salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 2nd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Care Dimensions, UMass Memorial Medical Center, All Care Visiting Nurse Association & Hospice, and Carleton-Willard Village. | |||||||||||
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| Maryland – $56,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 10th | ||||||||||
| Average Pastoral Counseling salaries for job postings in Maryland are 3% higher than average Pastoral Counseling salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 10th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Erickson Living, Stella Maris, Morning Star Baptist Church, and Community United Methodist Church. | |||||||||||
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| Maine – $48,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 34th | ||||||||||
| Average Pastoral Counseling salaries for job postings in Maine are 12% lower than average Pastoral Counseling salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 34th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like . | |||||||||||
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| Michigan – $55,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 14th | ||||||||||
| Average Pastoral Counseling salaries for job postings in Michigan are 1% higher than average Pastoral Counseling salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 14th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Absolute Home Health and Hospice, Meridian Health Plan, Curo Health Services, and Spectrum Health. | |||||||||||
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| Minnesota – $47,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 40th | ||||||||||
| Average Pastoral Counseling salaries for job postings in Minnesota are 13% lower than average Pastoral Counseling salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 40th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like BENEDICTINE LIVING COMMUNITY OF DULUTH, Crossroads Church, Ecumen, and Allina Health. | |||||||||||
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| Missouri – $53,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 17th | ||||||||||
| Average Pastoral Counseling salaries for job postings in Missouri are 2% lower than average Pastoral Counseling salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 17th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like BJC HealthCare, Preferred Family Healthcare, Inc., Burrell Behavioral Healt, and Great Circle. | |||||||||||
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| Mississippi – $57,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 9th | ||||||||||
| Average Pastoral Counseling salaries for job postings in Mississippi are 5% higher than average Pastoral Counseling salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 9th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like St. Dominic Hospital, Curo Health Services, SouthernCare, Inc., and AseraCare Hospice. | |||||||||||
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| Montana – $45,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 42nd | ||||||||||
| Average Pastoral Counseling salaries for job postings in Montana are 17% lower than average Pastoral Counseling salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 42nd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Valley View Estates Health Care Center and Corrections Corporation of America. | |||||||||||
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| North Carolina – $52,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 21st | ||||||||||
| Average Pastoral Counseling salaries for job postings in North Carolina are 5% lower than average Pastoral Counseling salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 21st among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Union County, NC, Forsyth County, Randolph Hospital, and Rex Healthcare. | |||||||||||
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| North Dakota – $48,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 35th | ||||||||||
| Average Pastoral Counseling salaries for job postings in North Dakota are 11% lower than average Pastoral Counseling salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 35th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like . | |||||||||||
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| Nebraska – $40,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 49th | ||||||||||
| Average Pastoral Counseling salaries for job postings in Nebraska are 27% lower than average Pastoral Counseling salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 49th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like AseraCare Hospice and Unlisted Company. | |||||||||||
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| New Hampshire – $53,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 18th | ||||||||||
| Average Pastoral Counseling salaries for job postings in New Hampshire are 1% lower than average Pastoral Counseling salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 18th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like 7626, 7677, 7088, and 7082. | |||||||||||
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| New Jersey – $58,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 8th | ||||||||||
| Average Pastoral Counseling salaries for job postings in New Jersey are 8% higher than average Pastoral Counseling salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 8th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Hackensack University Medical Center, AtlantiCare, Visiting Nurse Association Health Group, and Visiting Nurse Association of Northern New Jersey. | |||||||||||
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| New Mexico – $47,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 41st | ||||||||||
| Average Pastoral Counseling salaries for job postings in New Mexico are 13% lower than average Pastoral Counseling salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 41st among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Corrections Corporation of America and HCR ManorCare. | |||||||||||
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| Nevada – $41,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 46th | ||||||||||
| Average Pastoral Counseling salaries for job postings in Nevada are 24% lower than average Pastoral Counseling salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 46th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like SAINT MARY'S REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER, Las Ventanas, and St Rose Dominican – De Lima. | |||||||||||
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| New York – $65,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 3rd | ||||||||||
| Average Pastoral Counseling salaries for job postings in New York State are 21% higher than average Pastoral Counseling salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 3rd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Institute for Community Living, NYU Langone Medical Center, Mental Health, Office of, and SCO Family of Services. | |||||||||||
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| Ohio – $52,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 22nd | ||||||||||
| Average Pastoral Counseling salaries for job postings in Ohio are 4% lower than average Pastoral Counseling salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 22nd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like OhioHealth, Mercy Health, Nationwide Children's Hospital, and Pastoral Counseling Service of Summit County. | |||||||||||
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| Oklahoma – $50,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 28th | ||||||||||
| Average Pastoral Counseling salaries for job postings in Oklahoma are 8% lower than average Pastoral Counseling salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 28th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). | |||||||||||
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| Oregon – $52,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 23rd | ||||||||||
| Average Pastoral Counseling salaries for job postings in Oregon are 3% lower than average Pastoral Counseling salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 23rd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Catholic Health Initiatives, Providence Health & Services, St. Charles Health System, and Willamette Valley Hospice. | |||||||||||
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| Pennsylvania – $52,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 24th | ||||||||||
| Average Pastoral Counseling salaries for job postings in Pennsylvania are 4% lower than average Pastoral Counseling salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 24th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Ad Prima Charter School, Fairmount Behavioral Health System, University of Pennsylvania Health System, and Curo Health Services. | |||||||||||
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| Rhode Island – $49,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 31st | ||||||||||
| Average Pastoral Counseling salaries for job postings in Rhode Island are 9% lower than average Pastoral Counseling salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 31st among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like The Salvation Army. | |||||||||||
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| South Carolina – $53,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 19th | ||||||||||
| Average Pastoral Counseling salaries for job postings in South Carolina are 1% lower than average Pastoral Counseling salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 19th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like State of South Carolina, Amedisys, Inc., Seacoast Church, and Bishop Gadsden. | |||||||||||
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| South Dakota – $41,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 47th | ||||||||||
| Average Pastoral Counseling salaries for job postings in South Dakota are 25% lower than average Pastoral Counseling salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 47th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Tyson Foods, Inc., The Inn on Westport, and Christ Community Church in Sioux Fall SD. | |||||||||||
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| Tennessee – $50,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 29th | ||||||||||
| Average Pastoral Counseling salaries for job postings in Tennessee are 7% lower than average Pastoral Counseling salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 29th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Nashville Nonprofit, Corrections Corporation of America, Curo Health Services, and Compassus. | |||||||||||
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| Texas – $52,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 25th | ||||||||||
| Average Pastoral Counseling salaries for job postings in Texas are 3% lower than average Pastoral Counseling salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 25th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Baylor Scott & White Health, Curo Health Services, SouthernCare, Inc., and Houston Methodist. | |||||||||||
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| Utah – $42,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 45th | ||||||||||
| Average Pastoral Counseling salaries for job postings in Utah are 22% lower than average Pastoral Counseling salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 45th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Cole Holland College. | |||||||||||
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| Virginia – $55,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 15th | ||||||||||
| Average Pastoral Counseling salaries for job postings in Virginia are 1% higher than average Pastoral Counseling salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 15th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Curo Health Services, Capital Caring, Family Preservation Services of Virginia, and Bon Secours Health System. | |||||||||||
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| Vermont – $48,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 36th | ||||||||||
| Average Pastoral Counseling salaries for job postings in Vermont are 12% lower than average Pastoral Counseling salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 36th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like . | |||||||||||
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| Washington – $56,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 11th | ||||||||||
| Average Pastoral Counseling salaries for job postings in Washington State are 3% higher than average Pastoral Counseling salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 11th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Providence Health & Services, CHI Franciscan Health, CHI Franciscan, and Catholic Health Initiatives. | |||||||||||
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| Wisconsin – $48,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 37th | ||||||||||
| Average Pastoral Counseling salaries for job postings in Wisconsin are 11% lower than average Pastoral Counseling salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 37th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like UW Hospitals & Clinics, Ministry Health Care, SouthernCare, Inc., and Curo Health Services. | |||||||||||
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| West Virginia – $51,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 26th | ||||||||||
| Average Pastoral Counseling salaries for job postings in West Virginia are 6% lower than average Pastoral Counseling salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 26th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Alliance HealthCare Services, Family Preservation Services of West Virginia, St. Marys Medical Center, and Family Preservation Services of Virginia. | |||||||||||
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| Wyoming – $45,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 43rd | ||||||||||
| Average Pastoral Counseling salaries for job postings in Wyoming are 17% lower than average Pastoral Counseling salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 43rd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like . | |||||||||||
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