Explore national salary, projected growth, education requirements, and career opportunities across the United States.
A concise view of this occupation’s national scale, compensation, and projected demand.
National median annual wage for this occupation.
Estimated jobs currently supported nationwide.
Projected employment change through 2034.
Estimated openings created each year.
The typical education, prior experience, and on-the-job training associated with entry into this career.
High school diploma or equivalent
None
Short-term on-the-job training
These are the highest-rated capabilities associated with success in this occupation. Scores are derived from occupational skill analysis and are measured on a 100-point scale.
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Community health workers help connect people and communities with health resources and support. This occupation offers a national median annual salary of $51,030 and employs about 65,000 people nationwide. With projected employment growth of 11.3% and about 8,000 annual openings, it presents a notable volume of opportunities for new entrants and career changers. The role draws on strong interpersonal, speaking and listening, and customer service skills, supported by project management, adaptability, and leadership. Writing and reading, critical and analytical thinking, creativity and innovation, and comfort with computers and information technology also contribute to effectiveness in this field. Individuals interested in related pathways might also explore health education specialists, recreational therapists, career and technical education teachers at the middle or secondary school levels, or mental health and substance abuse social workers. Overall, the combination of projected growth, ongoing openings, and a clear skills profile makes this a viable option to consider for those pursuing a health-related career with a community focus.
Community health workers earn a national median annual salary of $51,030. Pay varies by location, and several states and metro areas offer higher median salaries than the national figure. Among states, California reports a median salary of $58,050, Massachusetts $55,560, New York $58,130, Washington $57,070, and Virginia $48,910. At the metro level, some areas stand out with even higher pay. San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA shows a median salary of $72,710, while San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA reports $69,630. The New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ metro has a median of $59,340, Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV offers $58,790, and Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH reports $56,920. These differences highlight that earnings potential can change significantly depending on the state and metro where you work as a community health worker.
Community health workers have a national employment level of about 65,000, with projected employment growth of 11.3%. This projected growth, combined with approximately 8,000 annual openings, suggests steady demand for new workers entering or advancing in the field. The presence of both employment growth and recurring openings can be important for students and job seekers who want a career path with continuing hiring activity over time. Growth of 11.3% is also reflected consistently across the highlighted states and metro areas, indicating that the positive outlook is not limited to just one region. For career changers, the combination of an established employment base and ongoing openings can support transitions into this role. For those already in the field, the projected growth can provide context for planning long-term career moves, whether staying in the same region or considering relocation to areas with stronger opportunity scores.
Location plays a meaningful role in opportunity for community health workers. Among states, California, Massachusetts, and New York have the highest CareerGPS opportunity scores—67.38, 65.87, and 65.78, respectively—paired with median salaries above $55,000 and employment ranging from 2,970 in Massachusetts to 9,500 in California. Washington and Virginia also appear as strong options, with opportunity scores of 56.29 and 54.96. At the metro level, San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA and New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ stand out, each with opportunity scores above 77 and median salaries of $69,630 and $59,340. San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA combines one of the highest salaries at $72,710 with an opportunity score of 68.75. Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV and Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH also show solid scores and employment levels. Together, these patterns indicate that both certain states and specific metros offer particularly strong combinations of salary, employment, and growth.
The typical education requirement for community health workers is a high school diploma or equivalent. This creates an entry point that does not require a college degree, while still calling for a well-developed skill set. Success in this occupation relies heavily on interpersonal skills, speaking and listening, and customer service, which support daily interactions with individuals and groups. Project management and adaptability help with organizing activities and adjusting to changing needs or environments. Leadership skills are important for guiding efforts and influencing outcomes. Writing and reading abilities ensure clear communication and understanding of information. Critical and analytical thinking support sound judgment and problem-solving, while creativity and innovation contribute to developing new ideas and approaches. Comfort with computers and information technology is also valuable, reflecting the role of digital tools and information in this work. Altogether, the combination of accessible education and a broad skill profile makes this a structured yet attainable pathway.
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