What Is a Community
Health Worker?
Imagine trying to schedule a doctor’s appointment but not speaking the same language as the staff. Or learning that you have diabetes but not knowing how you’ll afford your medication. In situations like these, where do you turn?
This is where community health workers step in. These skilled healthcare professionals help individuals navigate complex healthcare and social services so that no one is left without support or guidance. Above all, community health workers serve as determined advocates who speak up for those who might otherwise be overlooked in the healthcare system.
If you’re passionate about strengthening community wellness and want a healthcare career that makes a meaningful impact, the community health worker role could be right for you.
RESPONSIBILITIES
What Does a Community Health Worker Do?
Community health workers (CHWs) connect people to the healthcare services and resources they need to lead healthier lives. Through advocacy, education, and a deep understanding of the communities they serve, CHWs empower individuals to make informed choices about their medical care. Their day-to-day work involves a range of activities, including:
- Conducting home visits to assess patients’ needs and identify barriers to care.
- Leading workshops, community education initiatives, and outreach events.
- Enhancing “community capacity,” or the collective ability of a community to effectively utilize its resources.
- Educating individuals about disease prevention, immunizations, and healthy lifestyle choices.
- Assisting with practical needs such as applying for health insurance and scheduling medical appointments.
- Encouraging self-sufficiency by connecting individuals with long-term support programs.
- Facilitating communication between patients and healthcare teams to ensure effective care coordination.
- Overseeing referrals and helping individuals follow through with recommended services.
- Connecting patients with governmental and community programs that offer housing assistance, transportation, and nutrition support.
- Providing social support and informal counseling to individuals who are navigating health challenges.
EDUCATION & BEST DEGREES
How Do I Become a Community Health Worker?
If you're interested in becoming a community health worker, you’ll need the right education and experience. Entry-level positions often require a high school diploma and community health experience or a relevant certification. However, many employers prefer candidates who have a healthcare-related bachelor's degree, especially for leadership or specialized roles. Earning a bachelor's degree can open doors to community health careers that offer broader responsibilities and advancement opportunities. Federal government or public health agency roles typically require a bachelor’s or master’s degree.
Step One: Obtain a health-related bachelor’s degree
To begin your career as a community health worker, the first step is obtaining a bachelor’s degree in a health-related field. Several educational routes can prepare you for a meaningful career in community health, but the most relevant options are those that build strong foundations in health education, community outreach, and program coordination. Common bachelor’s degrees for community health workers include public health, health science, healthcare administration, and health and human services.
Step Two: Complete CHW Training
CHW certification and training requirements vary. Some states require you to finish a state-approved program before entering the field, while others make training optional. Training programs focus on the core skills needed to build a trusting relationship with the people you serve, while also teaching you to engage effectively with health and social services. Additionally, some states require a certification or license to practice as a community health worker. Check the National Academy for State Health Policy (NASHP) or your state’s Department of Health website to learn about state-specific certification and licensing requirements.
Step Three: Choose Your Healthcare Focus and Setting
CHWs work in various settings, including hospitals, clinics, local health departments, schools, nonprofit organizations, and community health centers. When you step into a CHW role, you’ll become a trusted member of the community you serve, working alongside service providers to offer guidance and facilitate access to health and social programs. Depending on your interests, you may want to focus on a particular area such as mental health support, diabetes education, substance abuse, maternal and child health, or general health education. If you’re passionate about assisting individuals in indigenous communities, you could also become a community health representative. This is a specific type of CHW who works with tribal communities to provide culturally aligned health education and support.
Best Degrees for a Community Health Worker
Health & Nursing
Nursing (Prelicensure) – B.S.
A one-of-a-kind nursing program that prepares you to be an RN and a...
A one-of-a-kind nursing program that prepares you to be an RN and a baccalaureate-prepared nurse:
- Locations: Due to in-person clinical requirements, students must be full time residents of Arkansas, Florida, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, West Virginia, or Wisconsin to enroll in this program. The coursework in this program is offered online, but there are in-person requirements.
- Tuition: $8,755 per 6-month term for the first 4 terms of pre-nursing coursework and $8,755 per 6-month term for the remaining 4 terms of clinical nursing coursework.
- Time: This program has a set pace and an expected completion time of 4 years. Certain coursework may be accelerated to finish faster.
- WGU offers the prelicensure program in areas where we have partnerships with healthcare employers to provide practice sites and clinical coaches to help teach you and inspire you on your path to becoming a nurse.
- If you don't live in one of our prelicensure states or don't qualify to apply, consider getting our Bachelor's in Health and Human Services instead. This degree allows you to work inside the healthcare industry, while also working directly with patients who need help.
Skills for your résumé that you will learn in this program:
- Community Health
- Women's and Children's Nursing
- Pathology
- Physiology
- Research
Health & Nursing
Nursing (RN-to-BSN Online) – B.S.
An online BSN degree program for registered nurses (RNs) seeking the added...
An online BSN degree program for registered nurses (RNs) seeking the added theoretical depth, employability, and respect that a bachelor's degree brings:
- Time: The program is designed to be completed in 1 year.
- Tuition: $5,325 per 6-month term.
- Courses: 23 total courses in this program.
- Transfers: Students can transfer up to 90 credits.
Skills for your résumé that you will learn in this program:
- Healthcare Policy and Economics
- Information Technology in Nursing Practice
- Anatomy and Physiology
- Applied Healthcare Statistics
If you don't currently have an RN and don't qualify for your nursing prelicensure program, consider getting our Bachelor's in Health and Human Services instead. This degree allows you to work inside the healthcare industry in a unique way.
Health & Nursing
Nursing – Leadership & Management (RN-to-MSN) – M.S.
This program for RNs includes a BSN component and is a substantial leap...
This program for RNs includes a BSN component and is a substantial leap toward becoming a nurse leader.
- Time: 62% of RN-to-MSN grads finish within 37 months.
- Tuition: $5,325 per 6-month term during undergraduate portion and $5,035 per 6-month term during graduate portion.
- Courses: 32 total courses in this program.
Skills for your résumé you will learn in this program:
- Quality Outcomes in a Culture of Value-Based Nursing Care
- Nursing Leadership and Management
- Advanced Pathopharmacological Foundations
- Informatics for Transforming Nursing Care
If you're driven to lead, this online nursing degree will provide you everything needed to make that career a reality. This program is ideal for current RNs who are interested in earning both their BSN and MSN in an accelerated program.
Compare degrees
This program is not the only degree WGU offers designed to create leaders in the field of healthcare. Compare our health leadership degrees.
Health & Nursing
Nursing – Leadership & Management (BSN-to-MSN) – M.S.
For registered nurses with a bachelor's degree who are ready for...
For registered nurses with a bachelor's degree who are ready for additional career opportunities.
- Time: 61% of grads finish within 23 months
- Tuition: $5,035 per 6-month term
- Courses: 15 total courses in this program
This program is ideal for current RNs who have a BSN and are ready for the next step in their education.
Skills for your résumé you will learn in this program:
- Quality Outcomes in a Culture of Value-Based Nursing Care
- Nursing Leadership and Management
- Advanced Pathopharmacological Foundations
- Informatics for Transforming Nursing Care
Compare degrees
This program is not the only degree WGU offers designed to create leaders in the field of healthcare. Compare our health leadership degrees.
Health & Nursing
Nursing Leadership and Management – Post-Master's Certificate
A certificate for registered nurses with a master's degree in nursing who...
A certificate for registered nurses with a master's degree in nursing who are ready for greater responsibility in a leadership and management role.
- Time: Students typically finish this program in 12 months.
- Tuition: $5,035 per 6-month term. The cost to sit for the NAHQ Certified Professional in Healthcare Quality (CPHQ) exam is included in tuition.
- Courses: 8 total courses in this program.
Skills for your résumé that you will learn in this program:
- Strategic Planning
- Resource Management
- Business Case Analysis
- Evaluating Healthcare Improvements
Health & Nursing
Health and Human Services – B.S.
An online health degree program for students who are committed to making a...
An online health degree program for students who are committed to making a difference for patients in a variety of ways.
- Time: 63% of students finish this program in 24 months
- Tuition: $4,210 per 6-month term
- Courses: 35 total courses in this program
Skills for your résumé that you will learn in this program:
- Epidemiology
- Community and Public Health
- Cultural Awareness
- Pathophysiology
- Healthcare Values and Ethics
- Substance Abuse Support
This degree allows you to work inside the healthcare industry, while also directly working with patients who need help.
Health & Nursing
Nursing – Nursing Informatics (RN-to-MSN) – M.S.
A nursing program that empowers data-driven nurses with a BSN and MSN...
A nursing program that empowers data-driven nurses with a BSN and MSN component, allowing them to go from RN to MSN.
- Time: 63% of RN-to-MSN grads finish within 36 months.
- Tuition: $5,325 per 6-month term during undergraduate portion and $5,035 per 6-month term during graduate portion.
- Courses: 31 total courses in this program.
This program is ideal for currently licensed RNs who are looking to earn a bachelor's degree and a master's degree at an accelerated pace.
Skills for your résumé that you will learn in this program:
- Informatics System Analysis and Design
- Data Science and Analytics
- Advanced Pathopharmacological Foundations
- Leadership and Management
The trajectory of data and informatics in healthcare will continually open opportunities for registered nurses who take this path.
Health & Nursing
Master of Public Health
This online Master of Public Health degree program is a perfect fit for...
This online Master of Public Health degree program is a perfect fit for students who want to make a difference in their community.
- Time: 60% of students finish similar programs in 21 months.
- Tuition: $4,995 per 6-month term
- Courses: 12 total courses in this program
Skills for your résumé you will learn in this program:
- Biostatistics and analysis
- Environmental health
- Epidemiology
- Global health
- Public health policy and advocacy
- Health education and promotion
This degree prepares you with relevant industry skills and experience that will help you move forward in your career.
Health & Nursing
Psychology – B.S.
An online psychology program for students who want to make a difference in...
An online psychology program for students who want to make a difference in their life, and the lives of others.
- Time: 95% of students finish similar programs in less than 4 years.
- Tuition: $4,210 per 6-month term.
- Courses: 34 total courses in this program.
Skills for your résumé included in this program:
- Social psychology
- Consumer psychology
- Adult psychology
- Mental health awareness
- Psychopathology
This degree allows you to gain valuable knowledge and experience in the field of psychology and can prepare you for additional certifications or careers.
Health & Nursing
Public Health - B.S.
This online bachelor's degree in public health will prepare you to impact...
This online bachelor's degree in public health will prepare you to impact your community and make a difference.
- Time: 63% of students finish similar programs in 24 months.
- Tuition: $4,210 per 6-month term
- Courses: 33 total courses in this program
Skills for your résumé you will learn in this program:
- Cognitive psychology
- Public health approaches
- Epidemiology
- Biopsychosocial health models
This degree prepares you with relevant industry skills and experience that will help you move forward in your career.
SKILLS
What Skills Does a Community Health Worker Need?
Whether you work in a hospital, clinic, nonprofit organization, or tribal community setting, being a CHW involves connecting with community residents and promoting their health.
Core competencies for community health workers include:
- Interpersonal communication. By fostering clear and compassionate communication, community health workers help ensure that patients and service providers understand one another and are aligned on the treatment plan.
- Project management. The ability to manage multiple client cases and program activities simultaneously is essential to delivering effective, coordinated support.
- Knowledge of community resources. CHWs should have a thorough understanding of local health and support services to connect individuals with appropriate assistance.
- Medical knowledge. A basic understanding of medical terminology and healthcare processes allows CHWs to communicate information accurately and help individuals understand their care plans.
- Data entry and recordkeeping. Effective documentation is crucial for monitoring patient care, follow-up treatment, and enrollment in health or governmental support programs.
- Data analysis. The ability to evaluate data, track trends, and interpret program outcomes supports informed decision-making and continuous improvement.
- Cultural competency. By using approaches that honor different cultures and perspectives, CHWs can establish rapport and more effectively serve community members.
- Public speaking. Effective presentation skills are crucial for sharing vital health knowledge during workshops, support groups, and educational events.
- Critical thinking. Sound judgment and thoughtful evaluation help CHWs determine the most appropriate next steps when individuals face challenges or need guidance.
How Much Does a Community Health Worker Make?
$51,030
A community health worker’s salary varies based on experience, industry, and location. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that the median annual salary for CHWs is $51,030. Those working in hospitals and government agencies often earn higher pay than those employed by nonprofits or private sector programs.
What Is the Projected Job Growth?
11%
According to the BLS, the employment of CHWs will grow by 11% from 2024 to 2034, which is much faster than the average growth for all occupations. There is an increasing demand for professionals who can coordinate care, implement community-based educational programs, and assist individuals in leading healthier lives. Because demand is expected to remain high, now is an ideal time to begin a career as a community health worker.
Our Online University Degree Programs Start on the First of Every Month, All Year Long
If you’re ready to take the next step toward a meaningful career, WGU can help. At WGU, you can earn an accredited degree that equips you with the skills to support individuals, coordinate resources, and contribute to healthier communities. Our healthcare degrees prepare you for real-world work by teaching competencies that match industry standards and employer expectations.
WGU degree programs start on the first of every month, making it easy to choose a timeline that works for you. Get started by applying today.
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