How long does it take to become a community health worker?

Typically no schooling after high school, then a few weeks of training on the job. That is the usual route rather than a rule — people arrive by other paths all the time.

How much do community health workers make?

The US median is $51,850 a year, meaning half earn more and half less. Pay varies widely by state, employer and experience.

Do you need a degree to become a community health worker?

No. Most people are hired and trained on the job; a program is optional.

Where can you train to become a community health worker?

799 US colleges, community colleges and trade schools award credentials in a matching program. See which ones →

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How to become a community health worker

Community & social service · SOC 21-1094

$51,850US median pay, 2025

+12.7%Projected growth, 2025–35

7,000Openings per year

On the jobUsual way in

How you get in

Most people are hired and trained on the job, so school is optional. A program can still help you stand out.

High school diploma or equivalent (a program is optional for this job)
Short-term on-the-job training
Work as a community health worker

Programs that lead to this job

These are the federal program codes (CIP) that the Department of Education maps to this occupation, and how many US colleges, community colleges or trade schools report awarding credentials in each.

Program	Code	Schools
Public Health, General	CIP 51.2201	436
Health and Wellness, General	CIP 51.0001	191
Public Health Education and Promotion	CIP 51.2207	154
Community Health Services/Liaison/Counseling	CIP 51.1504	99
Community Health and Preventive Medicine	CIP 51.2208	98
Health Communication	CIP 09.0905	56
Behavioral Aspects of Health	CIP 51.2212	44
Maternal and Child Health	CIP 51.2209	20
Arts in Medicine/Health	CIP 51.3206	1

See the 799 schools that offer these programs →

Common questions

How long does it take to become a community health worker?: Typically no schooling after high school, then a few weeks of training on the job. That is the usual route rather than a rule — people arrive by other paths all the time.
How much do community health workers make?: The US median is $51,850 a year, meaning half earn more and half less. Pay varies widely by state, employer and experience.
Do you need a degree to become a community health worker?: No. Most people are hired and trained on the job; a program is optional.
Where can you train to become a community health worker?: 799 US colleges, community colleges and trade schools award credentials in a matching program. See which ones →

Pay and growth are national figures. What you earn depends on where you work, your employer and your experience, and these are projections rather than promises. Education requirements describe how most people enter the job, not a rule — plenty of people take another route.

Pay, growth, openings and entry requirements: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections 2025–35. Program-to-occupation mapping: NCES CIP–SOC crosswalk (2020/2018). School counts: IPEDS completions, 2022–23.

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