Community Health Workers
SOC code 21-1094 · O*NET-SOC 21-1094.00 · Considerable preparation needed
Bright Outlook — O*NET expects rapid growth for this occupation
Community Health Workers pay
U.S. national figures, May 2025 BLS survey · How we got this number
Median pay
$51,850
a year
Hourly
$24.93
per hour
The solid band is the middle 50% of workers; the bar spans the 10th to 90th percentile.
Average pay
$56,180
$27.01 per hour
Middle 50%
$45,640 – $62,540
25th to 75th percentile
Full spread
$38,810 – $77,180
10th to 90th percentile
People employed
61,660
nationwide
National U.S. figure, May 2025. Local pay can be higher or lower.
- 10th percentile
- $38,810
- $18.66/hr
- 25th percentile
- $45,640
- $21.94/hr
- Median percentile
- $51,850
- $24.93/hr
- 75th percentile
- $62,540
- $30.07/hr
- 90th percentile
- $77,180
- $37.11/hr
Job outlook · federal projection 2024–34
+11%
Growing much faster than average
65,100
jobs in 2024
72,500
projected for 2034
About 7,400 more jobs
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics employment projections, 2024–34. Projections describe the broader occupation group and are estimates, not guarantees.
What does a community health worker do?
Promote health within a community by assisting individuals to adopt healthy behaviors. Serve as an advocate for the health needs of individuals by assisting community residents in effectively communicating with healthcare providers or social service agencies. Act as liaison or advocate and implement programs that promote, maintain, and improve individual and overall community health. May deliver health-related preventive services such as blood pressure, glaucoma, and hearing screenings. May collect data to help identify community health needs.
The tasks that matter most day to day
- Report incidences of child or elder abuse, neglect, or threats of harm to authorities, as required.
- Monitor nutrition of children, elderly, or other high-risk groups.
- Maintain updated client records with plans, notes, appropriate forms, or related information.
- Contact clients in person, by phone, or in writing to ensure they have completed required or recommended actions.
- Perform basic diagnostic procedures, such as blood pressure screening, breast cancer screening, or communicable disease screening.
- Advise clients or community groups on issues related to self-care, such as diabetes management.
- Refer community members to needed health services.
- Advise clients or community groups on issues related to improving general health, such as diet or exercise.
How to become a community health worker
Preparation level: zone 4 — Considerable preparation needed
- Education
- Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
- Experience
- A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
The federal survey did not capture education levels for this specific occupation, so the preparation-level card above is the best guide to the entry route.
Common questions
How much does a community health worker earn?
The national median is $51,850 a year. The full range runs from $38,810 at the 10th percentile to $77,180 at the 90th — entry pay sits closer to the lower figure, and experience, licensing and specialisation move you up the range.
Can you become a community health worker without a degree?
Not usually — this occupation sits in preparation zone 4, where the typical entry route is most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not. The education breakdown above shows what people in the role actually reported.
Is community health worker in demand?
Federal projections expect employment to grow by about 11% between 2024 and 2034 — growing much faster than average. Openings also come from people retiring or changing jobs, which the growth figure does not count.
Skills and knowledge you need
Core skills
- Active Listening4.0/5
- Speaking4.0/5
- Critical Thinking4.0/5
- Reading Comprehension3.9/5
- Active Learning3.9/5
- Writing3.8/5
- Monitoring3.8/5
Knowledge areas
- Customer and Personal Service4.3/5
- English Language4.1/5
- Medicine and Dentistry3.8/5
- Psychology3.8/5
- Therapy and Counseling3.7/5
- Computers and Electronics3.6/5
- Education and Training3.5/5
- Administration and Management3.1/5
Transferable strengths: Social Perceptiveness, Service Orientation, Coordination.