Community Health Workers: Salary, Job Outlook & How to Become One (2026 Parent Guide)

Community Health Workers fall under the Community and Social Service category in the U.S. occupational classification. Community Health Workers earn a median salary of $51,030 per year, ranking in the top 60% of all U.S. occupations. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects +11.3% job growth through 2034, projected to grow faster than the US average. Entry into this field typically requires a bachelor's degree, with specific licensing or certification depending on the state and employer. For parents whose teenager is exploring this path, the most actionable step is mapping the education requirements to specific colleges and majors before junior year — not waiting until application season.

What do community health workers earn?

The median annual wage for community health workers is $51,030. That puts community health workers at #488 on the BLS ranked list of all U.S. occupations by median pay. This salary is around or below the U.S. median for individual workers, so career growth often depends on advancement into supervisory roles, specialization, or additional credentials. Actual pay varies meaningfully by state, employer type, and years of experience — entry-level salaries are typically 30–40% below the median, while top-decile earners often exceed it by 50% or more.

Is community health workers a growing career?

The 10-year outlook for community health workers is +11.3%, projected to grow faster than the US average. Employment is projected to move from approximately 65K positions in 2024 to 72K in 2034, a net change of 7K. Faster-than-average growth means hiring is consistently outpacing the labor market overall. New entrants generally find their first roles faster than peers in stable fields.

What do community health workers do every day?

According to O*NET task surveys of working community health workers, these are the core responsibilities most professionals perform. This is what your teen would actually be doing in this role.

1. 1.Identify or contact members of high-risk or otherwise targeted groups, such as members of minority populations, low-income populations, or pregnant women.
2. 2.Contact clients in person, by phone, or in writing to ensure they have completed required or recommended actions.
3. 3.Distribute flyers, brochures, or other informational or educational documents to inform members of a targeted community.
4. 4.Attend community meetings or health fairs to understand community issues or build relationships with community members.
5. 5.Advise clients or community groups on issues related to improving general health, such as diet or exercise.
6. 6.Maintain updated client records with plans, notes, appropriate forms, or related information.
7. 7.Refer community members to needed health services.

Top skills for community health workers

O*NET ranks these as the most important skills for this occupation, on a 1–5 importance scale derived from worker surveys.

What education does my child need to become community health worker?

The standard path into community health workers begins with a bachelor's degree in a related field, followed by entry-level experience or internships during college. For parents helping a teen prepare, the highest-leverage step before junior year is identifying colleges and programs that feed reliably into this occupation — Solyo's college search lets parents filter by major and admissions data side by side.

Related careers your child might also consider

• Social Workers, All Other
  $69,480 median
• Healthcare Social Workers
  $68,090 median
• Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors
  $65,140 median
• Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists
  $64,520 median
• Marriage and Family Therapists
  $63,780 median
• Health Education Specialists
  $63,000 median

Common questions parents ask about community health workers