How to become a Community Health Worker
Official title: Community Health Workers
Also called: Communicable Disease Liaison, Community Health Coordinator, Community Health Outreach Worker, Community Health Program Coordinator, Community Health Program Representative (Community Health Program Rep), Community Health Promoter, Community HIV Education Specialist (Community Human Immunodeficiency Virus Education Specialist), Community Navigator, Community Nutrition Educator, Health Program Specialist
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.
Main tasks
- 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.
- 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.
- Develop plans or formal contracts for individuals, families, or community groups to improve overall health.
How to become one
To enter the occupation, community health workers typically need at least a high school diploma; some employers prefer to hire candidates who have postsecondary education. To attain competency, they typically complete a brief period of on-the-job training, and some states require certification.
Typical education to start: High school diploma or equivalent
Read the full guide from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Ways in
- Apprenticeship: Community Health Worker.
- Apprenticeship: Wellness Coach.
- College: Health & Public Health degrees, Offered by 29 universities in the US
Pay · Outlook · AI and this job
- Median pay: $51,850 a year The middle half earn $45,640 to $62,540.
- About 64,700 people work in this job now, and about 72,900 are projected by 2035. (+12.7%)
- People already use generative AI for a good share of this work, which usually changes the job more than it replaces it. Microsoft Research rates its AI applicability as high.
Related jobs
- Health Education Specialists
- Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists
- Social and Human Service Assistants
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Questions people ask
How do I become a Community Health Worker?
To enter the occupation, community health workers typically need at least a high school diploma; some employers prefer to hire candidates who have postsecondary education. To attain competency, they typically complete a brief period of on-the-job training, and some states require certification.
How much does a Community Health Worker earn in the US?
Median full-time pay is $51,850 a year (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). The middle half earn $45,640 to $62,540.
Is a Community Health Worker a growing career in the US?
Yes. Employment is projected to grow 13% by 2035, from about 64,700 to about 72,900 people (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics).
Do you need a degree to become a Community Health Worker?
Usually. 66% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Will AI change the work of a Community Health Worker?
People already use generative AI for a good share of this work, which usually changes the job more than it replaces it. Microsoft Research rates its AI applicability as high.
Sources
- Microsoft Research: Working with AI: AI applicability by occupation (2025-12-22 (built on O*NET 29.0)), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-03
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Employment Projections (2025-35 (released 2026-08-27)), Public domain (BLS), retrieved 2026-10-03
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Outlook Handbook (2025-35 edition (published 2026-08-27)), Public domain (BLS); photographs excluded, retrieved 2026-10-03
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Public domain (BLS), retrieved 2026-10-03
Updated 2026-10-03
This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.