Community Health Workers
Machines can already do 30% of this job's tasks. By 2035 that rises to 52%. The job changes before it disappears.
Share of the work machines can do
Worldwide baseline, 2026 to 2050
Community Health Workers in 2026: the short answer
- Today: machines can do 30% of this job's tasks, and AI use is already seen in 0% of them.
- Forecast: machines can do half of its tasks by 2035, and 52% by 2035, according to the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit.
- Size: 61,660 people do this job in the United States, on a median pay of $51,850 a year.
- Contact with people: it scores 88% for contact with people.
- Also called: Communicable Disease Liaison, Community Health Coordinator, Community Health Outreach Worker, Community Health Program Coordinator.
Updated by the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit. These are worldwide baseline figures; the Workforce Starburst shows them for your country. Go deeper: How ready am I? or an executive briefing.
How the work changes, task by task
The tasks that take up most of the day, with the share of each that machines can do in 2026 (dark) and 2035 (pink). Worldwide baseline.
| Task | Share of the day | Machines can do | 2026 to 2035 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maintain updated client records with plans, notes, appropriate forms, or related information | 12% | 63% to 81% | |
| Contact clients in person, by phone, or in writing to ensure they have completed required or recommended actions | 8% | 36% to 66% | |
| Conduct home visits for pregnant women, newborn infants, or other high-risk individuals to monitor their progress or assess their needs | 8% | 3% to 25% | |
| Refer community members to needed health services | 5% | 9% to 27% | |
| Advise clients or community groups on issues related to self-care, such as diabetes management | 4% | 32% to 50% | |
| Advise clients or community groups on issues related to improving general health, such as diet or exercise | 4% | 32% to 50% | |
| Advocate for individual or community health needs with government agencies or health service providers | 4% | 22% to 42% | |
| Identify the particular health care needs of individuals in a community or target area | 4% | 22% to 42% |
The skills this job runs on
The skills community health workers use most, most used first.
Safer jobs nearby
Jobs with a similar skill shape where machines can do less of the work by 2035.
- Psychiatric Technicians32% of tasks by 2035 · US median $45,130
- Family Medicine Physicians50% of tasks by 2035 · US median $244,180
- Low Vision Therapists, Orientation and Mobility Specialists, and Vision Rehabilitation Therapists44% of tasks by 2035 · US median $100,330
- Obstetricians and Gynecologists44% of tasks by 2035 · US median $292,910
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Questions
When will machines do half of the tasks of Community Health Workers?
Machines can do half of its tasks by 2035. That is the worldwide baseline from the 311 Workforce Starburst, before adjusting for country.
Will AI take the job of community health workers?
Machines can do 30% of the tasks of community health workers today and 52% by 2035. The job changes before it disappears: the routine tasks move first.
Sources and citing
Tasks and their share of the day: O*NET 31.0, occupation 21-1094.00 (US Department of Labor, CC BY 4.0). Pay and jobs: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. AI use today: Anthropic Economic Index (CC BY). Scoring and forecast: the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit; after 2035 the figures extend each trend, with lower confidence. Foresight, not advice.
Cite as: 311 Institute (2026). Community Health Workers: the outlook to 2050. 311 Workforce Starburst. https://www.311institute.com/jobs/community-health-workers/