Community Health Workers Career, Salary and Skills
Community Health Workers have a BLS-reported national median annual wage of $51,850 based on the 2025 OEWS dataset, with reported national employment of 61,660. Wage data is published for 257 locations.
Occupation description
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.
O*NET code
21-1094.00
Job zone
4
Typical education
Not recorded
Experience
Over 2 years, up to and including 4 years
National salary and employment
Median annual
$51,850
Hourly median
$24.93
Employment
61,660
Data year
2025
National salary distribution
Top skills
| Skill | Importance | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Critical Thinking | 4.00 | 4.00 |
| Social Perceptiveness | 4.00 | 4.50 |
| Speaking | 4.00 | 4.00 |
| Active Listening | 4.00 | 4.00 |
| Reading Comprehension | 3.88 | 4.00 |
| Active Learning | 3.88 | 3.88 |
| Monitoring | 3.75 | 3.75 |
| Writing | 3.75 | 4.00 |
| Service Orientation | 3.75 | 3.88 |
| Coordination | 3.62 | 3.62 |
Typical tasks
- Report incidences of child or elder abuse, neglect, or threats of harm to authorities, as required.
- Monitor nutrition of children, elderly, or other high-risk groups.
- Maintain updated client records with plans, notes, appropriate forms, or related information.
- Contact clients in person, by phone, or in writing to ensure they have completed required or recommended actions.
- Advise clients or community groups on issues related to self-care, such as diabetes management.
- Refer community members to needed health services.
- Advise clients or community groups on issues related to improving general health, such as diet or exercise.
- Develop plans or formal contracts for individuals, families, or community groups to improve overall health.
Technology
- Apple macOS
- Client databases
- Electronic health record EHR software
- Google Workspace software
- Microsoft Access
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office software
- Microsoft Outlook
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Publisher
- Microsoft Word
- SmugMug Flickr
- Web browser software
- Zoom
Community Health Workers salary by location
Areas with the highest reported employment for this occupation.
- Community Health Workers Salary in CAMedian $58,050 · Employment 9,500
- Community Health Workers Salary in NYMedian $58,130 · Employment 5,800
- Community Health Workers Salary in New York, NYMedian $59,340 · Employment 4,790
- Community Health Workers Salary in TXMedian $48,720 · Employment 4,210
- Community Health Workers Salary in Los Angeles, CAMedian $56,030 · Employment 3,200
- Community Health Workers Salary in MDMedian $50,550 · Employment 3,030
- Community Health Workers Salary in MAMedian $55,560 · Employment 2,970
- Community Health Workers Salary in WAMedian $57,070 · Employment 2,640
- Community Health Workers Salary in San Francisco, CAMedian $72,710 · Employment 2,090
- Community Health Workers Salary in ILMedian $49,240 · Employment 2,040
- Community Health Workers Salary in ORMedian $53,350 · Employment 1,980
- Community Health Workers Salary in PAMedian $50,710 · Employment 1,970
Related careers
- Dietitians and NutritionistsNational median $76,400
- Personal Care AidesNational median not published
- Psychiatric AidesNational median $44,910
- Substance Abuse and Behavioral Disorder CounselorsNational median not published
- Clinical Nurse SpecialistsNational median $97,550
- Home Health AidesNational median not published
- Preventive Medicine PhysiciansNational median $265,930
- Directors, Religious Activities and EducationNational median $52,100
Career and skills data: O*NET 31.0 (onetcenter.org). Salary and employment data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS, 2025 (bls.gov/oes). Figures are published survey estimates, not real-time market data.