Refit
Career overview · SOC 21-1094

Community Health Workers

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.

Also called: Apprise Counselor · Community Health Outreach Worker · Community Health Program Coordinator · Community Health Program Representative (Community Health Program Rep) · Community Health Promoter · Community Health Worker (CHW)

Median pay (national)
$51,030
$37,930–$78,560 (10th–90th)
Employed (US)
60,730
BLS OEWS, May 2024
Outlook 2024–34
+11.3%
~7,800 openings/yr
Typical entry
High school diploma or equivalent

What the numbers say

Refit analysis ·Pay for community health workers shows a broad range: the top 10% earn $78,560 versus $37,930 at the bottom 10% — 2.1x. The median of $51,030 leaves roughly 54% of headroom to the 90th percentile, which is where seniority, specialization, and the skills below tend to pay off.
Refit analysis ·Employment is projected to change +11.3% from 2024 to 2034 — much faster than the 3% average for all occupations. Even so, BLS projects about 7,800 openings a year, mostly to replace workers who retire or change careers.
Refit analysis ·Where you work moves the number a lot. Across the 52 states with released data, District of Columbia pays the most for this role (median $71,550, +40% vs the national median), while Puerto Rico sits lowest at $33,540 — a 113% spread for the same job title.
Refit analysis ·O*NET rates Active Listening, Speaking, Writing as the highest-importance skills here — so a resume aimed at this role should lead with evidence of those, not a generic skills list. On the tools side, O*NET flags Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Office software, Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft Word as in-demand technologies for this role.

Tailor your resume to Community Health Workers

Honest tailoring

See how your resume lines up with Community Health Workers

Refit re-angles your real experience toward this role using the skills above — and never invents skills you don't have. A no-fabrication gate checks every change before you see it.

Free. No account needed to see your first re-fit.

Top skills employers ask for

Ranked by O*NET importance for this occupation.

  • Active Listening
  • Speaking
  • Writing
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Critical Thinking
  • Active Learning
  • Learning Strategies
  • Monitoring
  • Mathematics
  • Science

What they actually do

Core O*NET tasks for this role.

  • Advise clients or community groups on issues related to improving general health, such as diet or exercise.
  • Maintain updated client records with plans, notes, appropriate forms, or related information.
  • Identify or contact members of high-risk or otherwise targeted groups, such as members of minority populations, low-income populations, or pregnant women.
  • Contact clients in person, by phone, or in writing to ensure they have completed required or recommended actions.
  • Distribute flyers, brochures, or other informational or educational documents to inform members of a targeted community.
  • Refer community members to needed health services.
  • Attend community meetings or health fairs to understand community issues or build relationships with community members.
  • Advise clients or community groups on issues related to diagnostic screenings, such as breast cancer screening, pap smears, glaucoma tests, or diabetes screenings.
  • Advise clients or community groups on issues related to risk or prevention of conditions, such as lead poisoning, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), prenatal substance abuse, or domestic violence.
  • Administer immunizations or other basic preventive treatments.

Tools & technology

  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft Office software
  • Microsoft Outlook
  • Microsoft Word
  • Apple macOS
  • Google Workspace software
  • Zoom
  • Client databases
  • Electronic health record EHR software
  • Microsoft Publisher
  • SmugMug Flickr
  • Web browser software
  • Microsoft Access
  • Microsoft PowerPoint

Knowledge areas

  • Customer and Personal Service
  • English Language
  • Education and Training
  • Administration and Management
  • Medicine and Dentistry
  • Psychology
  • Administrative
  • Personnel and Human Resources