Community Health Workers

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.

$51,030
Median Annual Pay
Jobs growth:
+11% projected 2024–2034
High school diploma or equivalent
Typical Entry-Level Education

What They Do

Community health workers serve as vital bridges between healthcare systems and the communities they serve, helping people access medical care and adopt healthier lifestyles. They spend their days conducting outreach in neighborhoods, schools, and community centers, where they educate residents about disease prevention, nutrition, and available health resources. Much of their work involves one-on-one interactions, providing informal counseling and social support to individuals facing health challenges or navigating complex healthcare systems. They often advocate for community members who encounter barriers to care, whether due to language, transportation, or insurance issues.

Programs That Prepare You

College programs linked to this occupation, ranked by graduate earnings

Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences(masters)University of California-Davis, CA
$128,179
Public Health(doctoral)University of California-Los Angeles, CA
$115,362
Public Health(doctoral)University of Illinois Chicago, IL
$114,438
Public Health(masters)Touro University California, CA
$111,615
Public Health(masters)Montana Technological University, MT
$108,776
Public Health(masters)Harvard University, MA
$108,479
Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences(professional)MCPHS University, MA
$106,863
Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences(doctoral)A T Still University of Health Sciences, MO
$106,308
Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences(doctoral)Nova Southeastern University, FL
$105,792
Public Health(doctoral)University of South Carolina-Columbia, SC
$105,588
Public Health(doctoral)Harvard University, MA
$104,766
Public Health(doctoral)University of South Florida, FL
$103,531
Public Health(bachelors)The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, TX
$99,671
Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences(doctoral)University of Arkansas, AR
$99,507
Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences(doctoral)Touro University Worldwide, CA
$99,507
Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences(doctoral)The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, TX
$99,507
Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences(doctoral)The University of Texas at El Paso, TX
$99,507
Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences(doctoral)University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus, CO
$99,507
Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences(doctoral)Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions, UT
$99,507
Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences(doctoral)Midwestern University-Downers Grove, IL
$99,507
Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences(doctoral)Eastern Virginia Medical School, VA
$99,507
Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences(doctoral)Brown University, RI
$99,507
Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences(doctoral)Rutgers University-New Brunswick, NJ
$99,507
Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences(doctoral)Loma Linda University, CA
$99,507
Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences(doctoral)Indiana State University, IN
$99,507

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