What Community Health Workers do
The U.S. Department of Labor's O*NET database describes the work of Community Health Workers this way: "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 core tasks O*NET records for this occupation include: "Advise clients or community groups on issues related to improving general health, such as diet or exercise"; "Attend community meetings or health fairs to understand community issues or build relationships with community members"; "Contact clients in person, by phone, or in writing to ensure they have completed required or recommended actions"; "Distribute flyers, brochures, or other informational or educational documents to inform members of a targeted community"; "Identify or contact members of high-risk or otherwise targeted groups, such as members of minority populations, low-income populations, or pregnant women".
Education, experience and training
According to the BLS Employment Projections, the typical education needed to enter this occupation is high school diploma or equivalent. Typical on-the-job training to reach competency is short-term on-the-job training.
Job outlook for Community Health Workers
The Bureau of Labor Statistics counted 64,700 jobs in this occupation in 2025 and projects 72,900 in 2035, an increase of 8,200 jobs (+12.7%). That is faster than the 3.5% projected for all occupations.
About 7,000 openings a year are projected on average, counting both new positions and positions vacated by workers who retire or switch occupations. Relative to today's employment that is 10.8% a year, against 10.3% for all occupations. BLS lists a national median annual wage of $51,850, compared with $50,980 for all occupations.
Where Community Health Workers earn the most
Across the 2 states with published data, the employment-weighted average of local median wages for this occupation ranges from $57,504 in New Jersey to $58,088 in New York, a gap of $584 (1.01 times). 2 of those 2 states average above the BLS national median of $51,850 and 0 average at or below it.
New York employs the most people in this occupation among the states covered, 6,550, which is 51.2% of the 12,800 counted across them. New Jersey follows with 6,250.
Highest-paying states
New York ($58,088) and New Jersey ($57,504) lead the ranking, while New Jersey ($57,504) and New York ($58,088) are at the bottom. The table below lists every state with a link to its county-level detail.
Occupations related to Community Health Workers
Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists and Social and Human Service Assistants belong to the same detailed SOC group. Other occupations in the same SOC minor group (21-1000) include Marriage and Family Therapists, Healthcare Social Workers, Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors and Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers.
Frequently asked questions about Community Health Workers
What is the national median wage for Community Health Workers?
BLS lists a national median annual wage of $51,850. Across the states covered here the average local median ranges from $57,504 to $58,088.
Which state pays Community Health Workers the most?
New York, with an employment-weighted average local median wage of $58,088. New Jersey is next at $57,504.
What is the job outlook for Community Health Workers?
BLS projects employment to grow by 12.7% between 2025 and 2035, compared with 3.5% for all occupations, with about 7,000 openings a year.
What education do Community Health Workers need?
The typical entry-level education is high school diploma or equivalent and short-term on-the-job training, according to BLS.