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Community Health Workers

Community and Social Service (21-1094)
Bright Outlook

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.

At a Glance

Community Health Workers earns a median of $51,030/yr with +11.3% projected growth. Typical entry: High school diploma or equivalent. Top skills: Dependability, Communicating with People Outside the Organization, Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work.

Median Annual Wage

$51,030/yr

Projected Growth (2024-34)

+11.3%

Annual Openings

8

Typical Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Skills & Requirements

Skills (18)

Active Listening

Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

4.1
Speaking

Talking to others to convey information effectively.

4.1
Social Perceptiveness

Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.

4.1
Writing

Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.

4.0
Reading Comprehension

Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.

3.9
Service Orientation

Actively looking for ways to help people.

3.9
Critical Thinking

Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.

3.8
Coordination

Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.

3.6
Active Learning

Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.

3.6
Complex Problem Solving

Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.

3.5
Persuasion

Persuading others to change their minds or behavior.

3.5
Instructing

Teaching others how to do something.

3.5
Time Management

Managing one's own time and the time of others.

3.4
Systems Analysis

Determining how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, and the environment will affect outcomes.

3.4
Judgment and Decision Making

Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

3.4
Monitoring

Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

3.4
Learning Strategies

Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.

3.4
Management of Personnel Resources

Motivating, developing, and directing people as they work, identifying the best people for the job.

3.3

Knowledge (7)

Customer and Personal Service

Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.

4.5
English Language

Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, and rules of composition and grammar.

4.0
Education and Training

Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.

3.8
Administration and Management

Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.

3.7
Psychology

Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders.

3.6
Medicine and Dentistry

Knowledge of the information and techniques needed to diagnose and treat human injuries, diseases, and deformities. This includes symptoms, treatment alternatives, drug properties and interactions, and preventive health-care measures.

3.6
Administrative

Knowledge of administrative and office procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and workplace terminology.

3.4

Abilities (12)

Oral Comprehension

The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.

4.3
Oral Expression

The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.

4.1
Written Comprehension

The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.

3.9
Written Expression

The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.

3.8
Problem Sensitivity

The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing that there is a problem.

3.8
Speech Recognition

The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.

3.8
Speech Clarity

The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.

3.8
Deductive Reasoning

The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.

3.6
Near Vision

The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).

3.6
Inductive Reasoning

The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).

3.5
Category Flexibility

The ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping things in different ways.

3.3
Information Ordering

The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).

3.3

Technology (9)

Microsoft PowerPoint

Category: Presentation software | Hot Technology | In Demand

4.5
Microsoft Outlook

Category: Electronic mail software | Hot Technology | In Demand

4.5
Microsoft Office software

Category: Office suite software | Hot Technology | In Demand

4.5
Microsoft Excel

Category: Spreadsheet software | Hot Technology | In Demand

4.5
Microsoft Access

Category: Data base user interface and query software | Hot Technology

4.5
Google Workspace software

Category: Office suite software | Hot Technology

4.5
Apple macOS

Category: Operating system software | Hot Technology

4.5
Zoom

Category: Video conferencing software | Hot Technology

4.5
Microsoft Word

Category: Word processing software | Hot Technology

4.5

Work Activities (33)

Communicating with People Outside the Organization

Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.

4.9
Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work

Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.

4.8
Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships

Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.

4.8
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates

Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.

4.7
Performing for or Working Directly with the Public

Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.

4.6
Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge

Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.

4.5
Documenting/Recording Information

Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.

4.5
Developing Objectives and Strategies

Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.

4.4
Working with Computers

Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.

4.4
Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others

Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.

4.4
Assisting and Caring for Others

Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.

4.4
Scheduling Work and Activities

Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.

4.3
Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events

Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.

4.1
Training and Teaching Others

Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.

4.1
Getting Information

Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.

4.1
Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings

Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.

4.0
Thinking Creatively

Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.

4.0
Developing and Building Teams

Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.

3.9
Processing Information

Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.

3.8
Selling or Influencing Others

Convincing others to buy merchandise/goods or to otherwise change their minds or actions.

3.8
Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards

Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.

3.8
Judging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or People

Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.

3.7
Analyzing Data or Information

Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.

3.7
Making Decisions and Solving Problems

Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.

3.7
Handling and Moving Objects

Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.

3.7
Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others

Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.

3.7
Performing Administrative Activities

Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork.

3.7
Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials

Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.

3.4
Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others

Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.

3.4
Monitoring and Controlling Resources

Monitoring and controlling resources and overseeing the spending of money.

3.4
Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information

Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity.

3.4
Coaching and Developing Others

Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.

3.3
Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates

Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance.

3.3

Work Styles (3)

Dependability

A tendency to be reliable, responsible, and consistent in meeting work-related obligations.

5.0
Integrity

A tendency to be honest and ethical at work.

4.3
Cooperation

A tendency to be pleasant, helpful, and willing to assist others at work.

3.6

Careers with Overlapping Skills

These occupations share the most skills. A career transition between them means many of your skills transfer directly.

Explore Key Skills

Frequently Asked Questions

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