Top Skills for This Career
BLS identifies these as the three highest-rated skills for this detailed occupation. TrustInEd adds the plain-language explanations so visitors understand what each skill means.
Working effectively with people by building relationships, understanding others, and responding appropriately.
Adjusting effectively when priorities, conditions, tools, or expectations change.
Understanding written information and communicating ideas clearly in writing.
How Do You Prepare for This Career?
BLS describes the typical preparation for this occupation. Requirements can vary by employer, state, licensing rules and individual circumstances.
How to Become One
How to Become a Community Health Worker Community health workers need instructional skills to lead programs. 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. Education Community health workers typically need at least a high school diploma, although some jobs require postsecondary education. Postsecondary community health worker programs may lead to a 1-year certificate or a 2-year associate’s degree. These programs cover topics such as wellness, ethics, and cultural awareness. Training Community health workers typically complete on-the-job training. They learn about topics useful in their work, including communication styles, outreach and advocacy methods, and legal and ethical issues. Some workers participate in apprenticeships or other programs that provide opportunities for hands-on experience. Other Experience Community health workers usually benefit from understanding the specific community, culture, medical condition, or disability with which they work. They may have personal experience in these areas, or they may gain experience by working in activities such as community development, public health, or social outreach. The ability to speak another language is helpful for working in some communities.
Licenses, Certifications & Registrations
Some states require certification for community health workers, which may include completing an approved training program. For more information, contact your state’s board of health, nursing, or human services. Advancement Experienced community health workers may move into supervisory positions. With additional education, community health workers may be able to transition to occupations such as health education specialists; registered nurses; social workers; or substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors.
Your Next Step
Review training, certifications, apprenticeships, or employer-based preparation that may support entry into this career.
Pay
the median annual wage for all workers was $50,980.
Job Outlook
Job Outlook Employment of community health workers is projected to grow 13 percent from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the average for all occupations. About 7,000 openings for community health workers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. Employment Community health workers will continue to be needed to help organizations and government agencies provide people with health-related information, such as how to access medical services. Individuals diagnosed with chronic diseases, mental health issues, and substance abuse disorders will require community health workers to assist them in finding healthcare professionals and other social assistance providers. Demand for these workers also will stem from their role in implementing public health initiatives, including preventive measures to reduce the spread of disease. Community Health Workers Percent change in employment, projected 2025–35 Community health workers 13% Miscellaneous community and social service specialists 7% Total, all occupations 3% Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy.
What They Do
What Community Health Workers Do
Community health workers promote wellness by helping people adopt healthy behaviors. They implement programs and advocate for people who may have limited access to health resources and social services.
Duties
Community health workers typically do the following:
- Coordinate care among individuals, communities, and health and social service systems
- Conduct outreach, such as through home visits
- Provide culturally appropriate health and informational resources
- Oversee case management and resource access
- Advocate for individuals and communities regarding housing, food security, and other needs
- Provide coaching and social support, such as nutrition training, recovery services for mental health and substance use disorders, and chronic disease management and prevention
- Provide services, such as basic health screenings and first aid
- Increase individual and community participation in assessments and education to improve health and well-being
Community health workers act as intermediaries between their clients and providers of healthcare and social services. They identify health-related issues, collect data, and discuss clients’ health concerns within the community. For example, community health workers might identify barriers preventing clients from access to transportation and provide referrals to resources that provide it.
Ideally, these workers have close ties to the communities they serve so that they understand their clients’ unique needs. They share that information with providers of healthcare and social services for determining appropriate programs and care. They also advocate for community wellness needs and conduct outreach to engage clients, assist with navigating healthcare, and improve coordination of care.
Community health workers may have different titles, depending on the population they serve. For example, community health representatives increase health knowledge and access to care for Tribal communities. Promotores de la salud reduce barriers to healthcare and social services in Spanish-speaking communities. Peer support specialists have experienced a mental health or substance use disorder and are in recovery while providing support to others experiencing similar challenges.
Community health workers work closely with other healthcare and social service providers, including registered nurses, social workers, and substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors.
Work Environment
Work Environment
Community health workers held about 64,700 jobs in 2025. The largest employers of community health workers were as follows:
| Ambulatory healthcare services | 22% |
| Social assistance | 20 |
| Local government, excluding education and hospitals | 18 |
| Hospitals; state, local, and private | 12 |
| Religious, grantmaking, civic, professional, and similar organizations | 8 |
Community health workers may spend part of their day in an office for activities such as recordkeeping and writing reports. However, they spend much of their time in the field to interact with community members, hold events, and collect data. They may travel to a variety of settings, including homes or medical facilities, to meet with clients.
Community health workers often collaborate with healthcare and social service providers as part of an interdisciplinary team.
Work Schedules
Most community health workers are employed full time. They may need to work evenings and weekends to attend community events, programs, or meetings.
Important Qualities
The following are examples of qualities that are important for these workers to perform their duties. For more information, visit the Employment Projections (EP) skills data page. Communication skills. Community health workers must be able to clearly convey information in health-related materials to those they serve and in written proposals for programs and funding. Cultural sensitivity. Community health workers must be respectful of the communities they serve and be understanding of their concerns. Instructional skills. Community health workers lead programs and facilitate discussions with clients. Interpersonal skills. Community health workers interact with people from a variety of backgrounds. They must be good listeners and be empathetic in responding to the needs of the communities they serve. Problem-solving skills. Community health workers must think creatively about the best ways to serve their clients. For example, they may need to adapt program planning because of budget constraints or when encountering resistance from community members.
More Information
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about community health workers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
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Start with ED →Career data and occupational profile text are sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook and Employment Projections program. Education requirements are typical entry-level requirements and may vary by employer, state, occupation or individual circumstance. View the official BLS profile.