Community & Social Service
Community Health Workers
Also called: Communicable Disease Liaison, Community Health Coordinator, Community Health Outreach Worker, Community Health Program Coordinator
US median pay
$51,850
per year, 2025
Job growth 2025–35
+12.7%
faster than average
Openings a year (US)
7,000
64,700 employed
Typical entry education
High school diploma or equivalent
Preparation 4/5 · Considerable preparation
What this job is
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.
What they do day to day
- 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.
- Advocate for individual or community health needs with government agencies or health service providers.
- Identify the particular health care needs of individuals in a community or target area.
Skills and knowledge that matter most
Skills
- Social Perceptiveness4.0/5
- Service Orientation3.8/5
- Instructing3.6/5
- Coordination3.6/5
- Complex Problem Solving3.6/5
- Persuasion3.4/5
- Judgment and Decision Making3.4/5
- Time Management3.1/5
Knowledge
- Customer and Personal Service4.3/5
- English Language4.1/5
- Medicine and Dentistry3.8/5
- Psychology3.8/5
- Therapy and Counseling3.7/5
- Computers and Electronics3.6/5
Importance rated by people working in the job (1 = not important, 5 = extremely important).
Education and preparation
Preparation level 4 of 5 — Considerable preparation. Usually a bachelor's degree and several years of related experience.
Typical entry education (BLS): High school diploma or equivalent.
Who this job suits
Mostly Social
Helping, teaching and caring for people
Enterprising
Leading, persuading and starting things
Investigative
Ideas, research and solving problems
Based on the Holland (RIASEC) interest profile for this occupation.