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New York Health Careers

Community Health Workers

What Do Community Health Workers Do?

Community health workers assist individuals and communities to adopt healthy behaviors. They also conduct outreach for medical personnel or health organizations to implement programs in the community that promote, maintain, and improve individual and community health. Community health workers provide information on available resources, provide social support and informal counseling, and advocate for individuals and community health needs. Additionally, they may collect data to help identify community health needs.

Where Do Community Health Workers Work?

Many community health workers work in health facilities, providing case management, client education, interpretive services, follow-up care, and patient navigation. Others are employed by government agencies and non-profit groups to provide community organization, health education, insurance enrollment, and preventive care services in the field.

Although their roles vary depending on locale and cultural setting, they are most often found working in underprivileged, marginalized communities where people may have limited resources: lack of access to quality health care; lack of means to pay for health care; do not speak English fluently; or have diverse cultural beliefs, values, and behaviors.

How Much Do Community Health Workers Earn?

In 2022, the average annual income reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) for community health workers in the United States was $49,900. The New York State Department of Labor (NYSDOL) reports that, in 2023, community health workers in New York earned a median annual salary of $52,285 (community health workers in the 25th percentile made approximately $38,170 while those in the 75th percentile made approximately $65,567).

Supply and Demand

The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that the number of community health worker jobs in the U.S. will increase by 12% between 2021 and 2031. The New York State Department of Labor projects that the number of community health worker jobs in the state will increase by 44% between 2020 and 2030. For more information on projections of community health workers by New York State labor regions, 2018-2028, click here.

New York Educational Requirements

Educational requirements for community health workers vary by location and roles.

New York Licensure Requirements

No license is needed to work as a community health worker in the state of New York. Community health workers may receive training, but this training does not culminate in the awarding of a certificate.

Education Programs in New York (subject to change)

Community Health Worker Network (NYC) 
60 Haven Ave
New York, NY 10032
(917) 653-9699
Community Health Worker Network of Buffalo
515 Main Street
Buffalo, New York 14203
(716) 548-6727
LaGuardia Community College
31-10 Thomson Avenue
Long Island City, NY 11101
718-482-7200
Schenectady County Community College
78 Washington Avenue
Schenectady, New York 12305
(518) 381-1200
SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University
Health Career Center
450 Clarkson Ave
Brooklyn, NY 11203
(718) 270-7701
Hostos Community College
Allied Health Career Pipeline Program
427 Walton Ave
Bronx, NY 10451
(718) 619-8362
Kingsborough Community College
2001 Oriental Blvd
Brooklyn, NY 11235
(718) 368-5000
1199 SEIU Home Care Industry Educ
330 42nd Street
New York, NY 10036
(212) 643-9422
 

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