Army · 56A
Your Chaplain experience maps to civilian jobs like Clergy—and well beyond. Explore the specific roles below, see what each pays and requires, and build from there.
These are the civilian jobs the U.S. Department of Labor maps to 56A, plus the roles most closely related to them—ordered from the closest match. Think of them as a floor, not a ceiling: see what each role involves and pays, start where your Chaplain experience already fits, and build toward the rest.
$58,920/yr mediantypical $35k–$97k~57K U.S. jobs
Typical entry: Graduate or professional degree
Conduct religious worship and perform other spiritual functions associated with beliefs and practices of religious faith or denomination.
Why it fits: A direct Department of Labor match—your Chaplain work maps straight onto the community & social services side of this role.
$50,140/yr mediantypical $32k–$104k~23K U.S. jobs
Typical entry: Bachelor’s degree typically expected
Coordinate or design programs and conduct outreach to promote the religious education or activities of a denominational group.
Why it fits: Closely related to your Chaplain occupations on the community & social services side—a natural next step.
$53,940/yr mediantypical $38k–$86k~352K U.S. jobs
Typical entry: Bachelor’s degree typically expected
Provide social services and assistance to improve the social and psychological functioning of children and their families and to maximize the family well-being and the academic functioning of…
Why it fits: Closely related to your Chaplain occupations on the community & social services side—a natural next step.
$41,410/yr mediantypical $31k–$62k~409K U.S. jobs
★ Bright Outlook — Rapid growth
Typical entry: Bachelor’s degree typically expected
Assist other social and human service providers in providing client services in a wide variety of fields, such as psychology, rehabilitation, or social work, including support for families.
Why it fits: Closely related to your Chaplain occupations on the community & social services side—a natural next step.
$61,710/yr mediantypical $40k–$100k~328K U.S. jobs
Typical entry: Graduate or professional degree
Advise and assist students and provide educational and vocational guidance services.
Why it fits: Closely related to your Chaplain occupations on the community & social services side—a natural next step.
$103,460/yr mediantypical $70k–$163k~303K U.S. jobs
Typical entry: Graduate or professional degree
Plan, direct, or coordinate the academic, administrative, or auxiliary activities of kindergarten, elementary, or secondary schools.
Why it fits: Closely related to your Chaplain occupations on the management & project leadership side—a natural next step.
$58,510/yr mediantypical $39k–$105k~63K U.S. jobs
★ Bright Outlook — Rapid growth
Typical entry: Graduate or professional degree
Diagnose and treat mental and emotional disorders, whether cognitive, affective, or behavioral, within the context of marriage and family systems.
Why it fits: Closely related to your Chaplain occupations on the community & social services side—a natural next step.
Source: O*NET / DMDC Military Crosswalk and O*NET related-occupations data, August 2024. Pay is BLS OEWS (May 2023).
Use the level that reflects what you actually did—not rank alone. Two people with the same code and very different experience should not submit the same résumé.
Translate planning, technical judgment, briefings, team leadership, and the people and resources you were accountable for.
Emphasize programs, budgets, cross-functional organizations, policy, risk ownership, and measurable operational outcomes.
Target director, program, operations, and public-sector leadership roles that match your actual scope.
A translated title isn't enough. These four moves turn Chaplain experience into evidence a civilian hiring manager can act on.
List the systems, vehicles, equipment, and tools you personally operated as Chaplain—plus qualifications, certifications, and the recurring high-stakes tasks you owned.
Soldiers led, dollar value of equipment you were accountable for, workload, readiness rates, and safety or quality outcomes. Scope beats adjectives.
For any target role, name the license, degree, or software it requires and start now—your GI Bill and credentialing assistance can cover most of it.
Recruiters rarely search “56A.” Search job boards by the equipment, skills, and outcomes above as much as by “Chaplain.”
You don't have to make this jump alone. These programs exist specifically to move service members into civilian careers—most are free, and several pay you while you train.
Train or intern with a civilian employer during your last ~180 days on active duty—at full military pay.
Earn a paycheck while you train for a trade or technical role; USMAP can credit the military training you already have.
Corporate fellowships and hiring events that place transitioning service members and military spouses.
Free career training and nationally recognized certifications for service members, veterans, and spouses.
VA-funded high-tech training (IT, cyber, data, software) that does not touch your GI Bill entitlement.
Free local career centers plus certification and state-by-state license finders for any field.
How to use this: Treat these as targets, not limits. Your exact duties depend on your assignments, so lead with what you actually did—and remember that regulated careers require their own license, certification, or degree.