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Job outlook for lay health advocates in the United States
Are lay health advocate jobs in demand?
Lay health advocate job and salary trends over time
Lay health advocate jobs over time
Lay health advocate job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 3,449 | 0.00% |
| 2020 | 3,317 | 0.00% |
| 2019 | 3,333 | 0.00% |
| 2018 | 3,173 | 0.00% |
| 2017 | 3,096 | 0.00% |
Average lay health advocate salary over time
Lay health advocate salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $35,126 | $16.89 | +4.1% |
| 2024 | $33,754 | $16.23 | +2.1% |
| 2023 | $33,068 | $15.90 | +3.0% |
| 2022 | $32,090 | $15.43 | +2.8% |
| 2021 | $31,220 | $15.01 | +2.8% |
Lay health advocate jobs by state
Most common states for lay health advocates
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 179 | 26% |
| 2 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 1,072 | 19% |
| 3 | Vermont | 623,657 | 113 | 18% |
| 4 | Indiana | 6,666,818 | 1,085 | 16% |
| 5 | Iowa | 3,145,711 | 446 | 14% |
| 6 | Idaho | 1,716,943 | 234 | 14% |
| 7 | Ohio | 11,658,609 | 1,499 | 13% |
| 8 | North Carolina | 10,273,419 | 1,320 | 13% |
| 9 | Michigan | 9,962,311 | 1,270 | 13% |
| 10 | Missouri | 6,113,532 | 792 | 13% |
| 11 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 775 | 13% |
| 12 | Wisconsin | 5,795,483 | 737 | 13% |
| 13 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 98 | 13% |
| 14 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 989 | 12% |
| 15 | Arizona | 7,016,270 | 851 | 12% |
| 16 | Arkansas | 3,004,279 | 364 | 12% |
| 17 | Kansas | 2,913,123 | 340 | 12% |
| 18 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 130 | 12% |
| 19 | South Dakota | 869,666 | 105 | 12% |
| 20 | Delaware | 961,939 | 108 | 11% |
Most common cities for lay health advocates
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Costa Mesa | 1 | 1% | $43,193 |
| 2 | Lynn | 1 | 1% | $42,592 |
| 3 | Des Moines | 1 | 0% | $34,311 |
| 4 | San Diego | 1 | 0% | $42,871 |
Lay Health Advocate job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of lay health advocate experts
University of South Florida
Wake Forest University
University of Baltimore
University of Indianapolis
Pennsylvania State University
University of Texas at San Antonio
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Neumann University
YMCA of Greater Fort Wayne
University of North Florida
Frontier Nursing University
What general advice would you give to a Lay Health Advocate?
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.
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 Lay Health Advocates 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 Lay Health Advocate 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.
What soft skills should all Lay Health Advocates possess?
Tina Di Franco: The most important soft skills are:
-Leadership skills - a true leader is someone who can inspire others, encourage creativity, and ignite excitement about the mission of the organization.
-The ability to work collaboratively in a team to accomplish organizational goals. Public health is a multi-disciplinary endeavor, and the importance of teamwork cannot be over-emphasized. It is through this collaboration that strategic plans can be operationalized.
-The ability to communicate effectively. That is, to articulate one's position and be able to actively listen to others.
-Flexibility and Adaptability. Healthcare is a dynamic process, and one must be able to adjust the strategies and approaches to best meet the needs of those we serve. Subsumed in this skill is the ability to problem-solve based on the evidence and data available at the time. However, public health is somewhat like a game of chess. There has to be an ability to anticipate fluctuations in the needs of the community based on the scientific evidence available. Critical thinking will lead to strategic decision-making and implementation.
What hard/technical skills are most important for Lay Health Advocates?
Tina Di Franco: Computer skills, including proficiency in excel, data visualization platforms, and PowerPoint. Staying current in healthcare technology advancements and data analytics is of utmost importance.
Dr. Kara Cecil
Assistant Professor of Public HealthUniversity of Indianapolis
Department Of Kinesiology, Health & Sport Science
What skills stand out on Lay Health Advocate resumes?
Dr. Kara Cecil: When reviewing a number of resumes with similar academic preparation, it is the real-world experience that stands out. Students and graduates who have applied their growing skillset in the field bring a different level of preparation to the workforce. We all begin our education in the classroom with textbooks. However, students who have taken the initiative to apply what they have learned in the real work have much more to offer. Students with this experience have already started to identify strategies to address office politics, communication styles and expectations, and how to apply theories to real-world situations. When we teach from a textbook, we are doing so in a sterile environment. In the real world, things go wrong, projects are underfunded, and unexpected competing priorities emerge. That all requires flexibility and a problem-solving mindset. The best way to develop those skills is to practice.
What soft skills should all Lay Health Advocates possess?
Dr. Kara Cecil: There is more to success in the workplace than technical understand and a mastery of the literature and best practice. The most expert practitioner in the world makes no difference if he or she cannot work and communicate well with a variety of people. That requires two-way communication skills, e.g., listening for understanding, listening for what isn't said aloud, and speaking up when something is unclear. Graduates today are digital natives, but they also likely spent significant time learning remotely. As such, they likely missed out on key opportunities to develop important skills. The sheer task of showing up to the right place at the right time and being well-prepared is a baseline requirement of success in the workplace. Graduates who completed much of their coursework online may have missed some of this skill development. It may sound small or obvious, but think back to your first job and recall all the details you had to learn from where to park, what clothing is office appropriate, anticipating small delays, and still arriving on time.
What skills will help Lay Health Advocates earn the most?
Dr. Kara Cecil: There are certainly subfields in public health that command higher salaries. Typically, careers in biostatistics, healthcare informatics, health and safety engineers, and epidemiologist result in the highest earning potential. Students that excel in statistics, computing, and management will likely earn the most in these areas. However, I encourage students to think about what they want out of life besides money. Absolutely, a decent salary is necessary to pay for necessities. But, I also encourage students to think through what they want their typical workday to include. I always encourage students looking to learn more about a particular field to ask a few working professionals for a short informational interview and to include questions about a day in the life of that job. Some people may thrive with unpredictable schedules, projects, and quick timelines. Other students may find success with more consistent and predictable hours and work. I think it is important for students to think about what they want their life to look like and not just how much they want to earn.
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 Lay Health Advocate 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 Lay Health Advocates 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 Lay Health Advocates?
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 Lay Health Advocates earn the most?
Jessica Clontz: The ones you continue to strengthen and grow.
Sara Oswalt Ph.D.
Department Chair and ProfessorUniversity of Texas at San Antonio
Department of Public Health
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Lay Health Advocate job market given the pandemic?
Sara Oswalt Ph.D.: I envision that graduates from public health programs will have increased opportunities in the coming years. The pandemic has focused attention on prevention of health issues and implementation of public health strategies. Those within the field who have experience in individual health behavior change, contact tracing, and policy development and implementation will be strong candidates for jobs. Of course, infectious disease expertise will be valued but individuals understanding how to address chronic health conditions will also be needed.
Timothy Hanna Ph.D.
Assistant ProfessorNeumann University
Pastoral Clinical Mental Health Counseling
What Lay Health Advocate skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Timothy Hanna Ph.D.: Focusing on telehealth training could increase one's job options. Many workshops exist through various professional organizations tied to mental and spiritual health (ACA, APA, ACPE, SPT, PESI, etc.). If the student is interested in specialized certification (such as EMDR, DBT, etc.), they can also pursue those additional trainings during this time.
Nicole Hansen
Director of Mission AdvancementYMCA of Greater Fort Wayne
What experience really stands out on Lay Health Advocate 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.
Julie Williams Merten PhD, MCHES
Associate Professor of Public Health Program Director, Interdisciplinary Health Studies Community Engagement CoordinatorUniversity of North Florida
Brooks College of Health
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Lay Health Advocate job market given the pandemic?
Julie Williams Merten PhD, MCHES: We are witnessing a renaissance in the job market, and each industry, including public health, is experiencing the transformation differently, whether it be a reduction in middle management, a shift to automation, an increased (seems unbelievable) reliance on technology, or more hiring in part-time positions. It would be impossible to make a blanket statement about the job market because organizations are adapting, surviving, thriving, and unfortunately dying in their own ways.
However, what is certain is the innovators and visionaries will thrive during this pandemic because they are the minds that will be able to forecast our needs as a society in our post-Covid-19 world. Just as Jeff Bezos knew we needed our cat food delivered in two days long before we knew we needed that - someone is dreaming up what the world will want.
In addition to the job market changing, we, as humans and employees, have changed. Many people tasted the sweet fruit of the freedom of working from home without a long commute and were reminded of the old saying that "we work to live rather than live to work." Among higher-skilled workers in industries with the ability for remote work, we will see a shift toward companies that embrace flexibility.
Specific to public health, our graduates have never had more opportunities. This is truly their time to shine. Our profession has the Help Wanted sign in the window, but the sticky part is that many applicants do not have the right skill set and work ethic. Organizations are seeking public health professionals with an understanding of how to collect, use, and analyze data with the ability to manage large projects on their own. In addition to a master of handling data, the individuals need to be able to work with people - there's a significant "customer service" component to public health because we have to be able to successfully communicate with people in our communities as well as scholars, medical professionals, and legislators.
What skills stand out on Lay Health Advocate resumes?
Julie Williams Merten PhD, MCHES: As with everything, it is all in the eye of the beholder. However, most astute hiring officials are keen to look for trends in the resume. For instance, they want to see that a person has been striving and accomplishing throughout their career; call it a pattern of ambition, if you will. For recent graduates, that can be tricky, but they can demonstrate ambition by showing their involvement in university leadership positions, philanthropic work, and experience via internships, field experiences, or paid employment. Many employers have shared that they can teach a new graduate the skill they will need for the job, but they can't teach work ethic, a good attitude, commitment to excellence, and the ability to get along with others.
For more seasoned public health professionals, employers are looking at the same patterns of success but also for the required experience, whether it be management experience or proficiency with certain programs or systems.
Dr. Tonya Nicholson
ChairFrontier Nursing University
Department of Midwifery and Women's Health
What experience really stands out on Lay Health Advocate resumes?
Dr. Tonya Nicholson: For all advanced practice roles and for hiring within academia:
-Membership and activities within associated professional organizations
-Presentations or publications
-Advocacy Work
-Other community volunteer work
As a practice director and as an academic administrator, I am looking for well-rounded individuals with a passion for their work. I want to hire someone who loves their job and infuses the work environment with joy and excitement. The capacity to function as an influential member of the team will often be the deciding factor between candidates.
While specific skill sets are required for particular positions, attitude and aptitude are equally valued.
When hiring nurse-midwives, the following experience is valuable:
-Full-scope midwifery practice
-Other experience in advanced practice (if the applicant has more than one area of certification)
Previous nursing experience in a related area:
-Labor and delivery
-postpartum/newborn
-Nursery
-Women's health
-Childbirth educator
-Lactation Work
-Advocacy work for maternal/newborn health or issues
When hiring NPs, the following experience is valuable:
-Related NP practice experience
-Other experience in advanced practice (if the applicant has more than one area of certification)
-Related RN practice
When hiring for academia:
-Clinical practice experience
-Teaching experience (especially at a similar level to the one applied for)
-Teaching philosophy that aligns with the mission of hiring institution
-Passion for content