For Educators: Military Resources
Military Religious Program Specialists
Median Salary
139,481
Workforce Count
1,062
Overview
What are the responsibilities of this role?
Religious program specialists assist military chaplains in building a culture of spiritual care and facilitating the free exercise of religion for military service members and their families. As experts in religious diversity, they conduct worship services, provide pastoral counseling, and offer crisis intervention. They also advise leaders at all levels on religious accommodation, ethical, and moral issues.
What is the work environment like?
Religious program specialists in the Military usually work indoors. They also serve aboard ships or with land and air units in the field.
How many people have this role in the Military?
1,062
Compensation
Understanding How Military Pay is More Than Just a Salary
Base pay is the standard income you’ll earn as a service member, providing a stable foundation to start achieving your financial goals.
- Always fixed based on rank and service time.
- Distributed monthly.
What is the typical salary range?
Salary by Years of Service
$111,766
2 Years
$124,502
6 Years
$160,166
10+ Years
Median Salary
Military Details
What Service Branches offer this role?
Is this a staff or leadership role?
Enlisted service members execute vital tasks, support operations alongside officers and develop role-specific skills to achieve mission success.
Learn More About Enlisted and Officer PathsWhat does the training for this role entail?
All enlisted service members complete basic military training, which includes time spent in a classroom and in the field, and covers tactical and survival skills, physical training, military life and customs, and weapons training. Religious program specialists in the Military will gain skills through classroom study and on-the-job experience. Job-specific training may include:
- Principles of religious support programs
- Guidance and counseling techniques
- Leadership skills
- Office procedures, clerical skills, and preparing forms and correspondence in Army style
- Religious history and background
Education
What level of education do professionals in this role have?
Which college majors best prepare you for this role?
- Bible/Biblical Studies
- Religious Education
- Pastoral Studies/Counseling
- Youth Ministry
- Clinical Pastoral Counseling/Patient Counseling
- Urban Ministry
- Lay Ministry
- Missions/Missionary Studies
- Bioethics/Medical Ethics
- Worship Ministry
- Religious Music and Worship, Other
- Pastoral Counseling and Specialized Ministries, Other
- Contemplative Studies/Inquiry
- Chaplain/Chaplaincy Studies
- Women's Ministry
- Thanatology
Learn About How Military Can Pay for 100% of your College Degree
The Military has several programs that cover college costs — so you can pursue your education with little to no debt.
Learn More About Paying For CollegeSkills and Interests
What knowledge is essential to bring to the table?
- Philosophy and Theology
- Education and Training
- Customer and Personal Service
- Administration and Management
- English Language
What personality traits help people thrive in this role?
Social
You love connecting with people, helping others and making a difference in your community.
Enterprising
You love taking risks in business or personal projects — and have the leadership skills to back it up.
RIASEC represents six broad interest areas—Realistic, Investigative, Artistic, Social, Enterprising and Conventional—helping individuals identify careers that match their skills and preferences.
Take the RIASEC TestData supplied by Bureau of Labor Statistics, National Center of Education Statistics, Defense Manpower Data Center (View our update schedule). Contact any business, college or military service branch to answer additional questions.