How much does a community health worker make?
The median community health worker in the United States earns $51,030 per year, about $24.54 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all community health workers earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024. SOC code 21-1094.
Community health worker salary range
Pay for community health workers spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $37,930 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $78,560. The average (mean) wage of $55,970 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $37,930 | $18.24 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $44,370 | $21.33 | |
| Median (50th) | $51,030 | $24.54 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $63,150 | $30.36 | |
| 90th percentile | $78,560 | $37.77 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for community health workers (SOC 21-1094), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2024.
Community health worker salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Community health workers earn the most in District of Columbia at $71,550 a year, and the least in Tennessee at $37,720. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $71,550 | 320 |
| New Mexico | $71,210 | 930 |
| Connecticut | $59,480 | 590 |
| North Dakota | $57,840 | 80 |
| California | $57,560 | 9,200 |
| Nevada | $57,380 | 550 |
| Colorado | $57,100 | N/A |
| New York | $56,950 | 6,740 |
| Rhode Island | $56,760 | 340 |
| Washington | $56,460 | 2,440 |
| Utah | $55,520 | 580 |
| Oregon | $55,510 | 1,580 |
| Montana | $54,950 | 270 |
| Ohio | $54,240 | 2,100 |
| Massachusetts | $54,160 | 2,310 |
| Hawaii | $53,480 | 300 |
| Wyoming | $52,310 | 130 |
| Wisconsin | $52,050 | 630 |
| Virginia | $51,990 | 1,090 |
| Nebraska | $51,900 | 220 |
| New Jersey | $51,710 | 1,400 |
| Maryland | $51,520 | 2,020 |
| Alaska | $50,970 | 480 |
| New Hampshire | $50,910 | 150 |
| Pennsylvania | $50,350 | 2,160 |
| Vermont | $49,330 | 170 |
| Kansas | $49,040 | 260 |
| Kentucky | $48,960 | 930 |
| Iowa | $48,920 | 340 |
| Georgia | $48,650 | 560 |
| Maine | $48,400 | 130 |
| Arizona | $48,050 | 1,160 |
| Minnesota | $47,830 | 1,070 |
| Idaho | $47,820 | 380 |
| Illinois | $47,610 | 1,860 |
| Texas | $47,440 | 4,360 |
| Missouri | $47,410 | 1,710 |
| South Dakota | $47,300 | 70 |
| Michigan | $47,290 | 1,580 |
| North Carolina | $46,930 | 1,600 |
| Delaware | $46,890 | 370 |
| Oklahoma | $46,070 | 680 |
| Indiana | $45,980 | 1,050 |
| South Carolina | $45,580 | 550 |
| Florida | $45,300 | 1,740 |
| Arkansas | $44,850 | 260 |
| Alabama | $43,950 | 190 |
| West Virginia | $40,470 | 450 |
| Louisiana | $40,080 | 60 |
| Mississippi | $37,790 | 570 |
| Tennessee | $37,720 | 590 |
State median wages for community health workers (SOC 21-1094), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2024. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for community health workers
The BLS projects employment of community health workers to grow 12.7% from 2025 to 2035. That is much faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 64,700 jobs in 2025 moving toward 72,900 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 7,000 openings a year for community health workers. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a community health worker
The typical entry-level education for community health workers is a high school diploma or equivalent, according to the BLS. New hires typically complete short-term on-the-job training to reach full competency.
A four-year college degree is usually not required to start, which makes this one of the jobs you can enter without a bachelor's degree. See more high paying jobs without a degree .
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a community health worker earns
Employer, license or certification, caseload, and region shape pay. Government agencies and clinical settings tend to pay above nonprofit and entry-level roles.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (District of Columbia, $71,550) and the lowest (Tennessee, $37,720) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 60,730 people work as community health workers in the United States. At $51,030 a year, the job pays above the $49,500 median for all U.S. jobs.
Community health worker salary FAQ
How much does a community health worker make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a community health worker is $24.54. The middle half of community health workers earn between $21.33 and $30.36 per hour.
What is the highest community health worker salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of community health workers earn more than $78,560 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a community health worker make a year?
The median annual salary for a community health worker is $51,030. The average (mean) wage of $55,970 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being a community health worker a well paid job?
At $51,030 a year, a community health worker earns above the $49,500 median for all U.S. jobs. About 60,730 people work as community health workers in the United States.
Which state pays community health workers the most?
District of Columbia has the highest median salary for community health workers at $71,550 a year. New Mexico ($71,210) and Connecticut ($59,480) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2024.
Is being a community health worker a good career?
Employment of community health workers is projected to grow 12.7% from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 7,000 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a community health worker?
No. The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for community health workers as a high school diploma or equivalent, so a four-year degree is usually not required to start.
Related salaries
See more in Community & Social Service salaries or browse the highest paying jobs in the U.S.