Community health workers
Salary, job outlook, AI risk & career information
Community health workers in the United States earn a median salary of $51,850 per year — about $25 per hour, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Roughly 65K people work in this occupation nationwide, with projected employment growth of +11%.
AI & Automation Risk
The core of this occupation is built on trust, cultural sensitivity, and physical presence within specific communities, which AI cannot replicate. While AI can assist with peripheral tasks like data collection, report writing, and resource matching, the primary duties involve home visits, hands-on advocacy, and real-time interpersonal coaching for vulnerable populations.
Salary by City — What You Actually Take Home
Real purchasing power = salary adjusted for cost of living. Higher = more money in your pocket.
| City | Local Salary | Cost of Living | Real Purchasing Power |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eau Claire, WIBEST VALUE | $78,090 | Below avg (92.8) | $84,152 |
| Carson City, NV | $81,600 | Average (98.1) | $83,155 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA | $80,290 | Above avg (108.6) | $73,935 |
| Fort Smith, AR-OK | $58,690 | Below avg (85.9) | $68,333 |
| Columbus, OH | $64,810 | Below avg (95.5) | $67,886 |
| Lincoln, NE | $61,310 | Below avg (91.6) | $66,946 |
| Traverse City, MI | $62,160 | Below avg (93.4) | $66,572 |
| Visalia, CA | $63,960 | Average (99.8) | $64,072 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $69,630 | Above avg (110.4) | $63,058 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $72,710 | Above avg (115.6) | $62,891 |
| Boulder, CO | $65,780 | Above avg (105.2) | $62,527 |
| Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY | $61,610 | Average (99.6) | $61,879 |
| Albuquerque, NM | $58,290 | Below avg (95.5) | $61,007 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $56,180 | Below avg (93.1) | $60,361 |
| Tulsa, OK | $53,600 | Below avg (89.2) | $60,080 |