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.
Community Health Workers earn a median of $24.93/hr — about $52,000 a year. The lowest-paid 10% earn $18.66/hr; the top 10% earn $37.11/hr. (Annual figures are approximate: hourly × 2,080.)
What you'd actually do
- Maintain updated client records with plans, notes, appropriate forms, or related information.
- Advise clients or community groups on issues related to improving general health, such as diet or exercise.
- Identify or contact members of high-risk or otherwise targeted groups, such as members of minority populations, low-income populations, or pregnant women.
- 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.
- Refer community members to needed health services.
How you get there
Typical entry-level education: High school diploma. Overall preparation: considerable preparation (Job Zone 4 of 5).
The feel of the work
The work splits time indoors and out; you're around people constantly. (Compared against the other 818 careers in the guide.)
Working for yourself
About 0.8% of community health workers are self-employed.
Who it tends to fit
This work tends to fit people who are people-focused, take-charge and analytical.
Work a simulated shift in this job — freeMake the real decisions this job involves, then see what your choices say about you.Related careers
- Health Education Specialists
- Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors
- Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists
- Marriage and Family Therapists
- Healthcare Social Workers
- Social Workers, All Other
Quick questions
- How much does a community health worker make?
- The median pay is $24.93 per hour — roughly $52,000 a year, with the real range running from about $18.66/hr (10th percentile) to $37.11/hr (90th percentile). Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
- Do you need a degree to be a community health worker?
- The typical entry-level education is: High school diploma. Overall preparation level: considerable preparation (Job Zone 4 of 5).
- What does a community health worker actually do all day?
- Maintain updated client records with plans, notes, appropriate forms, or related information. Advise clients or community groups on issues related to improving general health, such as diet or exercise. Identify or contact members of high-risk or otherwise targeted groups, such as members of minority populations, low-income populations, or pregnant women.
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