Community health workers
SOC Code: 21-1094
Community health workers carries a 40% AI exposure score (High automation risk), with a median annual wage of $51,030 and +11.3% projected employment growth from 2024 to 2034 (BLS), affecting approximately 65,100 workers. Full task breakdown, skills, and employer data are below.
Proportion of tasks susceptible to AI automation (O*NET analysis)
AI Exposure vs Industry Growth
Total occupations tracked
832
Covering all SOC major groups
Data currency
2024
BLS Employment Projections
AI exposure avg
40%
Fleet-wide median across all roles
Composite score weighing O*NET task data completeness, BLS projection methodology, and cross-validation with employer risk grades.
Employment Projections
Occupation Insight
Community health workers (SOC 21-1094) carries an AI exposure score of 40%, placing it in the High automation-risk tier. This score is computed from O*NET Database 30.0 task-level analysis, where each task an occupation performs is evaluated against current generative AI, robotic process automation, and machine-learning capabilities. A score in the 40–70% range indicates meaningful automation pressure on specific task categories, but the role as a whole still requires human judgment for coordination, exception handling, or client interaction.
The economic context matters alongside the risk score. BLS counted approximately 65,100 workers in this occupation in 2024, and projects a +11.3% change through 2034 — a strong growth outlook that compensates meaningfully for automation risk. Median annual compensation stands at $51,030, reflecting both skill scarcity and the value employers place on the tasks that remain difficult to automate. Entry typically requires High school diploma or equivalent, plus None of related experience.
For career planners, this profile should be read alongside the task, skill, and knowledge breakdowns below and the list of employers whose workforce composition includes Community health workers. Adjacent occupations shown further down offer lateral moves that preserve industry knowledge while potentially reducing exposure. Pair the AI exposure score with the BLS employment projection and wage percentiles above for a complete career assessment.
Education & Entry Requirements
Top Tasks (O*NET)
- 1. Perform basic diagnostic procedures, such as blood pressure screening, breast cancer screening, or communicable disease screening.
- 2. Maintain updated client records with plans, notes, appropriate forms, or related information.
- 3. Advise clients or community groups on issues related to diagnostic screenings, such as breast cancer screening, pap smears, glaucoma tests, or diabetes screenings.
- 4. 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.
- 5. Administer immunizations or other basic preventive treatments.
- 6. Identify the particular health care needs of individuals in a community or target area.
- 7. Advise clients or community groups on issues related to improving general health, such as diet or exercise.
- 8. Advise clients or community groups on issues related to self-care, such as diabetes management.
- 9. Conduct home visits for pregnant women, newborn infants, or other high-risk individuals to monitor their progress or assess their needs.
- 10. Transport or accompany clients to scheduled health appointments or referral sites.
Key Skills Required
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Social Perceptiveness
- Writing
- Reading Comprehension
- Service Orientation
- Critical Thinking
- Active Learning
- Coordination
- Persuasion
Knowledge Areas
- Customer and Personal Service
- English Language
- Education and Training
- Administration and Management
- Medicine and Dentistry
- Psychology
- Administrative
- Personnel and Human Resources
- Computers and Electronics
- Therapy and Counseling
Frequently Asked Questions
Will AI replace Community health workers?
Community health workers has an AI exposure score of 40%, indicating a high level of automation risk. The majority of tasks in this role require human judgment, creativity, or physical presence that AI cannot easily replicate.
What is the job outlook for Community health workers?
According to BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034, Community health workers is projected to grow by 11.3% over the decade. Current employment stands at approximately 65,100 workers.
What skills are needed for Community health workers?
Key skills for Community health workers include Active Listening, Speaking, Social Perceptiveness, and others. Typical entry-level education is High school diploma or equivalent.
How much do Community health workers earn?
The median annual wage for Community health workers is $51,030, according to BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2024). Actual earnings vary by location, experience, industry, and employer. The BLS publishes detailed wage percentiles by region in its Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program.
What education is required for Community health workers?
The typical entry-level education for Community health workers is High school diploma or equivalent. Employers generally expect None of related work experience. On-the-job training typically involves Short-term on-the-job training. Requirements can vary by employer and specialization.
Which companies employ Community health workers?
Community health workers roles exist across many industries and employers. Workforce composition is estimated from BLS industry-occupation employment distributions matched to SEC-registered public companies.
AI Exposure Rating
High automation risk based on 10 analyzed tasks. A moderate share of tasks may be augmented by AI tools.
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Data sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections 2024–2034 and O*NET Database 30.0. Employment figures are rounded. Wage data from BLS Occupational Employment Statistics (OES).