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Job outlook for community health workers in the United States
Community health worker job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected community health worker job growth rate is 12% from 2018-2028.
About 15,200 new jobs for community health workers are projected over the next decade.
Community health worker salaries have increased 13% for community health workers in the last 5 years.
There are over 45,049 community health workers currently employed in the United States.
There are 82,445 active community health worker job openings in the US.
The average community health worker salary is $37,079.
Are community health worker jobs in demand?
Community health worker job and salary trends over time
Community health worker jobs over time
Community health worker job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 45,049 | 0.01% |
| 2020 | 43,322 | 0.01% |
| 2019 | 43,528 | 0.01% |
| 2018 | 41,446 | 0.01% |
| 2017 | 40,434 | 0.01% |
Average community health worker salary over time
Community health worker salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $37,079 | $17.83 | +4.1% |
| 2025 | $35,631 | $17.13 | +2.1% |
| 2024 | $34,908 | $16.78 | +3.0% |
| 2023 | $33,875 | $16.29 | +2.8% |
| 2022 | $32,956 | $15.84 | +2.8% |
Community health worker jobs by state
Most common states for community health workers
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 283 | 41% |
| 2 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 554 | 29% |
| 3 | South Dakota | 869,666 | 255 | 29% |
| 4 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 379 | 28% |
| 5 | Washington | 7,405,743 | 1,994 | 27% |
| 6 | Georgia | 10,429,379 | 2,578 | 25% |
| 7 | Tennessee | 6,715,984 | 1,670 | 25% |
| 8 | Missouri | 6,113,532 | 1,550 | 25% |
| 9 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 2,010 | 24% |
| 10 | Idaho | 1,716,943 | 415 | 24% |
| 11 | Delaware | 961,939 | 233 | 24% |
| 12 | North Carolina | 10,273,419 | 2,400 | 23% |
| 13 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 1,192 | 21% |
| 14 | Utah | 3,101,833 | 665 | 21% |
| 15 | Vermont | 623,657 | 130 | 21% |
| 16 | Florida | 20,984,400 | 4,179 | 20% |
| 17 | Alabama | 4,874,747 | 979 | 20% |
| 18 | Oklahoma | 3,930,864 | 736 | 19% |
| 19 | California | 39,536,653 | 6,945 | 18% |
| 20 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 1,000 | 18% |
Most common cities for community health workers
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chelsea | 9 | 23% | $40,740 |
| 2 | Monroe | 7 | 14% | $32,909 |
| 3 | Framingham | 7 | 10% | $41,019 |
| 4 | Brockton | 8 | 8% | $41,294 |
| 5 | Worcester | 12 | 7% | $41,205 |
| 6 | Boston | 22 | 3% | $40,849 |
| 7 | New Orleans | 7 | 2% | $32,652 |
| 8 | Saint Louis | 6 | 2% | $31,576 |
| 9 | Baltimore | 9 | 1% | $40,405 |
| 10 | Jacksonville | 6 | 1% | $33,323 |
| 11 | Las Vegas | 6 | 1% | $43,253 |
| 12 | Atlanta | 5 | 1% | $32,424 |
| 13 | Cleveland | 5 | 1% | $33,351 |
| 14 | Columbus | 5 | 1% | $32,413 |
| 15 | Miami | 5 | 1% | $33,143 |
| 16 | Milwaukee | 5 | 1% | $37,068 |
| 17 | Urban Honolulu | 5 | 1% | $38,571 |
| 18 | Los Angeles | 7 | 0% | $42,771 |
| 19 | Chicago | 6 | 0% | $45,749 |
| 20 | Phoenix | 6 | 0% | $32,402 |
Community Health Worker job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of community health worker experts
Michigan Technological University
University of Akron
University of South Florida
University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee
University of Nevada - Las Vegas
Wake Forest University
University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire
Pennsylvania State University
University of Illinois at Chicago
Utica College
Idaho State University
California University of Management and Sciences (CALUMS)
YMCA of Greater Fort Wayne
What general advice would you give to a Community Health Worker?
Tayler Haapapuro MS: Preventative health measures, educating people on the importance of movement, interpersonal skills and the ability to explain to clients and patients their health. Having a deep understanding of anatomy, physiology, & biomechanics and how it relates to daily health.
What Community Health Worker skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Tayler Haapapuro MS: Continuing education, conferences, and certifications. Making sure you are apart of an organization with continuing education (AKA, ACSM, CSCS etc). Staying on top of the ever evolving world of health can give you an edge in many areas of treatment.
What will help Community Health Workers increase their earning potential?
Tayler Haapapuro MS: Take advantage of the connections you've made during your undergraduate degree. Professionals that you've met shadowing, interning, at conferences can all help you and guide you. Don't be afraid to continue your education through certifications and conferences. There is always more to learn and it can make you even more marketable, and will help you expand your connections.
What general advice would you give to a Community Health Worker?
Melissa Smith MS, CHES, NBC-HWC: For new graduates, I would say they now have a solid foundation of knowledge, skills and abilities in the field, but that their learning experiences have just begun! My advice is that they count every experience on the job – good, bad, or ugly – as a learning opportunity to grow their professionalism and expertise. It takes about a year to learn any new job, so give yourselves time and grace along the way. Every experience has the opportunity to make you into a better professional and person.
What Community Health Worker skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Melissa Smith MS, CHES, NBC-HWC: Health and wellness coaching skills continue to gain incredible momentum in the health care industry and many other professional fields. Treat every patient/client relationship as a partnership: you are the expert in your field and they are the expert on their life. Behavior change that stems from strength-base approaches that allow the client/patient to take ownership of their plan increases long-term compliance tremendously. Additionally, insurance billing skills may become more important and prevalent in the field as (hopefully) efforts to expand current procedural terminology” or “CPT” codes for Qualified Exercise Professionals (QEPs) are successful.
What will help Community Health Workers increase their earning potential?
Melissa Smith MS, CHES, NBC-HWC: There is a two-pronged approach I recommend to maximizing salary potential as a new graduate: 1) expand your professional network and 2) pursue additional certifications in areas of interest. Ways to expand your professional network are to leverage your LinkedIn account to connect to professionals you meet at work and at professional conferences. Volunteer to serve on committees to organize community events related to your work, such as fundraising events put on by the American Heart Association (e.g., Heartwalk) or American Cancer Society (e.g., Relay for Life), or a local health fair. As you discover your strengths in the workplace, pursue additional certifications to enhance your qualifications.
What general advice would you give to a Community Health Worker?
Maureen Chiodini-Rinaldo: God gave you two ears and one mouth. Listen twice as much as you talk. Remain open-minded and stay in touch with your mentors. We should always be learning. Find your path and your niche by doing what makes you happy. Don't chase the money. If you are happy and doing what you love and are passionate about, the money will come.
What Community Health Worker skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Maureen Chiodini-Rinaldo: Technology is paramount but must also be matched with interpersonal communication skills. There will always be people who want and need personal interaction to achieve their success. Work hard to hone your 'coaching' skills so that you can assist people in achieving their success. Remember, people are created whole and complete with the ability to solve their problems. Often, we lose our innate ability due to experiences. Help people resurrect that innate ability to be healthy. Remember, it is their story, not yours. Additionally, we must be more proactive in using data and analytics. We wear watches that capture so much information, but do we even know whether they are accurate and what to do with the data? Artificial intelligence is coming on strong. How can we use it to enhance people's health? How can we use it to help our businesses?
What will help Community Health Workers increase their earning potential?
Maureen Chiodini-Rinaldo: Success in life is about connections. Who knows you (Not who you know!), and how do they know you? Jobs will come to you once you create and live your passion. People will see you and offer you work. Guide your career based on your values. Your rewards will reflect your values. Owning your own business allows you to be your boss but has many pitfalls and risks. If you think you want to own your own business, interview a few people who have been successful and ask them how they did it. Also, work with and for them to learn about operations and culture. Can you do that lifestyle? Research current salaries in your area, and then talk to people doing what you think you want to do. Ask them about the range of wages you should expect. Does that work for you? Be prepared to negotiate your salary. Know what you should get paid before you start the negotiation meeting. I love working with students on budgets. We start with personal budgets and work to budgeting for the operations of their own business. It can be a remarkable learning process especially once they realize that if they can save $100/month every month for 30 years, they will have close to $100,000. Start small and grow big!
Dr. Wendy Huddleston
Doctor of Physical Therapy Program Director, Associate ProfessorUniversity of Wisconsin - Milwaukee
Communication Disorders Sciences And Services
What general advice would you give to a Community Health Worker?
Dr. Wendy Huddleston: Interprofessional teamwork, cultural humility, flexibility, and innovation will be the keys to a successful future in health and wellness. Healthcare in the US is going to change significantly in the next decade. Methods of delivery, including more telehealth/telecommunications, and the use of AI in clinical practice are some examples.
What Community Health Worker skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Wendy Huddleston: Be able to identify what differentiates you from other new graduates. Examples might include being able to speak a second language, being mobile, having flexibility in work hours and/or work locations, or having leadership experience of any kind. You'll want to add skills to your resume, not just experience.
What will help Community Health Workers increase their earning potential?
Dr. Wendy Huddleston: Treat clients and patients as individuals with unique lived experiences. They can teach you as much or more than what you learned in a classroom. Seek out and volunteer for new experiences. Do not be afraid to ask questions. Recognize the experience of others but know that you bring the value of new knowledge and a fresh perspective.
Van Whaley DC, EdD
Assistant Professor-in-ResidenceUniversity of Nevada - Las Vegas
Nutrition Sciences
What Community Health Worker skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Van Whaley DC, EdD: Anatomy & Physiology (A&P) is a vital part of so many healthcare and human-performance fields. Understanding how our bodies work creates better therapists, nurses, doctors, experts, trainers, and more understanding people. We all have friends and family members who face health issues - diabetes, high BP, high cholesterol, autoimmune conditions, hormone/chemical imbalances, arthritis, etc. Learning A&P helps us to help others, including being a health advocate for loved ones.
Dr. Shari DeVeney Ph.D., CCC-SLP
Graduate Program Chair, Department of Special Education & Communication DisordersOmaha
Health Professions And Related Clinical Sciences
What will help Community Health Workers increase their earning potential?
Dr. Shari DeVeney Ph.D., CCC-SLP: For new graduates entering the workforce in health and wellness fields, there are a number of important aspects to be mindful of that could help you find success in your new career. Namely, I would encourage you to commit yourself to continued education. Create good habits early for staying current on the latest research and evidence-based practices in your field by seeking out professional development opportunities (e.g., attending conferences and seminars, participating in organizational workshops, etc.), particularly in content areas relevant to your new position. Further, networking and professional relationship building is key. Making connections to others in your field can provide you with valuable insights, mentorship, and even career advancement opportunities. Finally, be sure to take some time for yourself. Starting a new career is challenging and can feel all-consuming at times. Be sure to make time for activities that allow you to feel recharged. This will help you prevent burnout and maintain your own physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing as you embark on your new professional adventure.
Ted Eaves
Associate teaching professorWake Forest University
Sports, Kinesiology, And Physical Education/Fitness
What Community Health Worker skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Ted Eaves: I think as far as skills are concerned, all graduates need to have the basic knowledge and ability to use that knowledge to help their patients/clients; however, the interpersonal skills are the ones that will be the most important moving forward. Caring/compassionate care is essential, empathy and listening skills help you relate to your patients/clients, and cultural competency is a big emphasis now. Communication and collaboration among constituent groups is also really important if going into health care. Taking care of patients requires an entire team of professionals and being able to interact with these different groups is going to be crucial to offering the best care possible.
Corey Hannah
Program Director, Master of Science in Athletic TrainingUniversity of Wisconsin - Eau Claire
Department of Kinesiology
What skills stand out on Community Health Worker resumes?
Corey Hannah: Things that stand out to me include didactic and clinical experience, team-based approaches to teaching, collaborative models of pedagogy, innovative practices in the classroom and beyond, and an interprofessional approach to both teaching and learning.
What soft skills should all Community Health Workers possess?
Corey Hannah: Empathy, sensitivity, and confidentiality in a medical environment, confidence, and trust to ensure credibility.
What skills will help Community Health Workers earn the most?
Corey Hannah: Variety and diversity of experiences, international experience is a huge plus, multiple certifications and licensures (CSCS, AT, PT, PA, Graston, Dry needling, cupping, to name a few)
Jessica Clontz
Assistant Teaching Professor, Human Development and Family Studies, Program Coordinator, HDFSPennsylvania State University
Human Development and Family Studies Department
What skills stand out on Community Health Worker resumes?
Jessica Clontz: The skills employers are looking for include teamwork, leadership, creativity, and flexibility. Although many agencies have moved to a remote service delivery model, professionals are still working as a team to meet client needs effectively. Employers want leaders who are not afraid to take on responsibility and communicate assertively. Working in human services requires you to think on your feet... a lot! Being creative will allow you to meet clients where they are instead of where you want them to be. The pandemic has made flexibility a necessary skill for all human service professionals. Schedules and activities can change at a moment's notice; therefore, you must be able to quickly adapt.
What soft skills should all Community Health Workers possess?
Jessica Clontz: Although the pandemic has changed much of how the human services field functions, the most important skills remain the same: compassion, empathy, creativity, maintaining personal wellness, and holding space for others. With millions of people grieving sudden deaths of loved ones, professionals will need to be prepared to be a witness and hold space for that grief. To avoid compassion fatigue and burnout, it will be helpful for professionals (and employers!) to make personal wellbeing a priority and encourage a balance between work and other fulfilling endeavors.
What hard/technical skills are most important for Community Health Workers?
Jessica Clontz: The pandemic forced us to redesign service delivery; therefore, professionals will need to demonstrate proficiency in tech skills such as setting up and hosting a teleconference, helping clients navigate online services, and leveraging social media for your agency. Although marketing on social media is not usually what professionals in the human services field expect to be doing, it is a necessary component among thriving organizations. Cultivating an engaging presence on social media and other platforms helps reach more people who may be in need of your services.
What skills will help Community Health Workers earn the most?
Jessica Clontz: The ones you continue to strengthen and grow.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Community Health Worker job market given the pandemic?
Frank Borgers Ph.D.: While the pandemic has created short-term financial distress and driven some degree of organizational reorganization, the longer-term impact may be to increase the focus on the nation's need to create a far more robust public health infrastructure, that in many ways, begins with, and sits top primary care. The 2020 elections should accelerate this focus as the new administration and congress seek to secure and expand the provisions of the Affordable Care Act.
But, healthcare is of course a huge, vibrant sector, and the underlying drivers of sector growth (in particular the large baby boomer population that will continue to drive acute, outpatient, and nursing home demand) remain, and thus the job market outlook across healthcare jobs remains incredibly robust.
When it comes to health care administration , the future looks very bright. The most recent US News and World Report's, ranks "Medical and Health Services Manager" as #4 amongst its "100 Best Jobs" across all economic sectors, and #1 amongst "Best Business Jobs"!
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics we can anticipate over 30% employment growth for medical and health services managers over the next decade and the creation of an estimated 133,200 new jobs.
In short, despite the pandemic, the job market for health care administration looks incredibly promising.
What Community Health Worker skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Patrice Hallock Ph.D.: Volunteer! Work in any setting that will allow one to learn communication and collaborative skills. The participation in any system that is focused on caring for others, whether it is healthcare, social services, or education, will help graduates to better understand the varied settings in which they can apply their academic skills. Graduates must be open to the vast range of settings in which they can apply their skills, and volunteering helps people to learn about opportunities they didn't even know existed (or that they would like!).
What general advice would you give to a Community Health Worker?
Dr. Patrice Hallock Ph.D.: Remain open to possibilities. Try jobs or roles that you may not know a lot about. Volunteer. Stay engaged in your community. Network. Many times a job opportunity presents itself because you are in the right place at the right time and have already demonstrated an ability to communicate effectively and work collaboratively.
Cat Radford
Vice PresidentIdaho State University
Student Organizations and Resources
What experience really stands out on Community Health Worker resumes?
Cat Radford: During a pandemic it is important as healthcare providers to be active and involved in the community. Volunteer hours of COVID screening and testing would stand out because it is relevant to current issues. Consistency in job history is always very important with resumes. Leadership roles in clubs would stand out. Having accredited references or contacts helps to provide a professional network. Create a resume that can almost fully depict who you are and what you have accomplished to therefore be able to provide benefits to the hiring party.
Dr. Mohammad Tohemer Ph.D.
Adjunct FacultyCalifornia University of Management and Sciences (CALUMS)
Healthcare Management
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Community Health Worker job market given the pandemic?
Dr. Mohammad Tohemer Ph.D.: Given the pandemic situation, we will see high demands on healthcare professions in general. However, Registered Nurses' demands will increase significantly, especially for the specialties in Infection Control and Prevention, Administrators, and Operational Managers. According to the Employment Projections program (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, September 2019), the change of employment from 2019 to 2029 for Nurses will increase by 7.2 percent, Operational Managers jobs increases by 5.8 percent, Medical and Health Services Managers increases by 31.5 percent, Management analysts increases by 10.7 percent, and project management specialists increases by 5.9 percent.
Nicole Hansen
Director of Mission AdvancementYMCA of Greater Fort Wayne
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Community Health Workers?
Nicole Hansen: Some companies have thrived during the pandemic financially. These companies have been in a growth mode and will be hiring as long as the pandemic is a threat. Their future success will depend on whether or not they have plans in place to maintain their size after the threat is gone. Some companies have had to downsize and make radical changes due to forced shutdowns and in consumer behavior. As the economy rebounds, companies will right-size, hire more staff, and potentially create jobs that weren't in existence in 2020. Jobs in companies that are more immune to fluxuations in the economy are always safer and more secure. Graduates looking to become employed in 2021 may be expected to provide proof of vaccination, especially while the threat is so top of mind.
What type of skills will young Community Health Workers need?
Nicole Hansen: Along with a four-year degree, new graduates will need to demonstrate good interpersonal skills, a positive attitude, and the ability to be cross-trained into more than one department. People who become "utility players" are more valuable because they can pitch in when the need arises. Graduating with a four-year degree communicates that the student is disciplined, responsible, and mature and manages time. Soft skills are also very important because no one wants to work with someone who isn't friendly or cooperative. Being reliable and dependable is also important, especially when beginning a new job. Employers want to know that you can be counted on to arrive on time and to meet deadlines without constant reminders about the expectations. A successful, newly-graduated employee will be known for stepping up and taking on new assignments with eagerness and confidence. The future is unclear, and we are all looking for the type of person who is ready for the challenges ahead.
What experience really stands out on Community Health Worker resumes?
Nicole Hansen: Experience that stands out on a resume is that which aligns to the job being applied for. For example, listing child care and tutoring experience are good if applying for a teaching position. If the job being applied for requires independence, list jobs that included that skill. If your work experience was volunteer or unpaid but relates to the job being sought, list that too. Any experience that can be tied into the job you want puts you ahead of the candidate with no experience. It's also important to list certifications or licenses that are relevant to the job, such as CPR and First Aid.