How to become community health workerseducation, training, experience and the steps to enter

United States Social Services Confidence ★★★★★

Median annual pay

$51,850

25th–75th pct. $45,640–$62,540

Top pay (est.)

$100,300

Top 10% $77,180

Pay in 5 years

$61,600est.

2031

Pay in 10 years

$73,100est.

$62,900–$84,900

Outlook score

70/100

★★★★☆ Good

AI replacement risk

34%

Low

Job growth (10 yr)

+12.7%

7,000 openings / yr

How to become community health workers

Typical education

High school diploma or equivalent

BLS

Related experience

None

On-the-job training

Short-term on-the-job training

A step-by-step guide for this occupation is being prepared. The education, training and experience data above show the typical path.

Skills, education and requirements for Community Health Workers

Key skills

Social Perceptiveness

4.5

Critical Thinking

4.0

Active Listening

4.0

Speaking

4.0

Reading Comprehension

4.0

Writing

4.0

Active Learning

3.9

Service Orientation

3.9

O*NET skill level ratings (0–7).

Key knowledge areas

Customer and Personal Service

5.7

Psychology

5.1

Therapy and Counseling

5.0

Education and Training

4.4

English Language

4.2

Sociology and Anthropology

4.0

Computers and Electronics

3.9

Medicine and Dentistry

3.7

What the work involves

Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or SubordinatesIdentifying Objects, Actions, and EventsMonitoring Processes, Materials, or SurroundingsEstablishing and Maintaining Interpersonal RelationshipsPerforming for or Working Directly with the PublicMaking Decisions and Solving ProblemsAssisting and Caring for OthersJudging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or People

Important abilities

Oral ExpressionOral ComprehensionSpeech RecognitionProblem SensitivityWritten ComprehensionSpeech Clarity

Training before entry

Up to 1 month

36%

6–12 months

32%

3–6 months

17%

1–2 years

None / short demo

Related work experience

1–2 years

31%

4–6 years

29%

None

Job Zone 4 — considerable preparation needed (O*NET)

Difficulty of entry: ★★★☆☆ Moderate (from education, training, experience and Job Zone)

Career path and how to earn more as community health workers

Career-path guidance is being prepared. Pay by percentile is shown in the Pay section.

Related occupations

	Occupation	Pay	Outlook	AI risk
1	Childcare Workers Attend to children at schools, businesses, private households, and childcare institutions.	$34,980	48/100	16%
2	Social and Human Service Assistants Assist other social and human service providers in providing client services in a wide variety of fields, such as psychology, rehabilitation, or social work, including support for families.	$45,930	62/100	40%
3	Child, Family, and School Social Workers Provide social services and assistance to improve the social and psychological functioning of children and their families and to maximize the family well-being and the academic functioning of children.	$59,550	58/100	43%
4	Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors Advise and assist students and provide educational and vocational guidance services.	$64,330	50/100	52%
5	Healthcare Social Workers Provide individuals, families, and groups with the psychosocial support needed to cope with chronic, acute, or terminal illnesses.	$67,880	70/100	34%
6	Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers Assess and treat individuals with mental, emotional, or substance abuse problems, including abuse of alcohol, tobacco, and/or other drugs.	$60,280	69/100	43%

Pay and employment figures are national statistics. Projected pay, outlook scores and AI replacement risk are estimates from the Shigoto Zukan model, not guarantees. To request a correction, use the contact form. How to read the data

Sources: BLS OEWS May 2025; BLS Employment Projections 2025–35; O*NET 31.0 Database by USDOL/ETA (CC BY 4.0), modified by Shigoto Zukan. Pay ranges, projections and scores are Shigoto Zukan estimates.