Which schools offer WIOA-approved community health worker training?

50 schools offer these programs, and each state on this page approved its programs for workforce funding. Pick a state on the map or compare them belowCompare the states below, then open one to see each program with its price and how past students did.

What does a community health worker do, and how do you become one?

Community health workers promote wellness by helping people in their community adopt healthy habits. Most need a high school diploma and learn on the job, and some states require certification, which can include a state-approved training program.¹

Approved programsup to 12 to 23 to 3more than 3

How much does community health worker training cost?

Most community health worker programs approved for WIOA funding cost $1,184 to $2,960 if you pay yourself.

That is the price of the whole program as the school reports it. If you qualify, WIOA funding can pay part or all of it, depending on local limits (who qualifies). The figures cover only programs approved for WIOA funding; other schools and programs may cost more or less.

Compare community health worker training by state: cost, pay and results

Community health worker training by state
State	Programs	Most cost	Earned a year, estimated	Working 6 months later	Finished
Arizona	2	Too few figures to show
California	2	Too few figures to show
Colorado	1	Too few figures to show
Connecticut	3	Too few figures to show
Florida	2	Too few figures to show
Hawaii	1	Too few figures to show
Idaho	1	Not enough data	Not reported	Left out	Not enough data
Illinois	1	Left out	Not reported	Not reported	Not reported
Indiana	9	$1,100 to $6,250	about $39,100	76%	86%
Kentucky	1	No figures reported
Louisiana	1	Too few figures to show
Maryland	2	Too few figures to show
Michigan	3	Too few figures to show
Minnesota	5	$2,661 to $3,004	about $36,700	80%	Not enough data
Missouri	4	Too few figures to show
Nevada	2	Not enough data	Not enough data	Left out	Not enough data
New Mexico	3	Not enough data	Not enough data	Not enough data	Left out
Ohio	4	Too few figures to show
South Dakota	2	Too few figures to show
Texas	4	Too few figures to show
Virginia	1	Too few figures to show
Washington	1	Too few figures to show
Wisconsin	3	Too few figures to show

Each figure is the middle program in that state. Yearly earnings are the reported quarter times four, an estimate. Only programs approved for workforce funding are counted; other schools may offer community health worker training too. Source: US Department of Labor, program year 2024 (July 2024 to June 2025).How these figures are made

Community health worker certification: what the 58 programs are

By kind, the 58 programs approved for WIOA funding are community health worker certificate or course (47 programs), community health (associate degree, 4 programs), health navigator or wellness coach course (3 programs), community health worker apprenticeship (3 programs), and 1 more of one other kind.

Across the US, 16 of the 58 programs take students without a high school diploma, 29 ask for a diploma or equivalent and 13 ask for earlier courses first.

Is there free community health worker training in the US?

Yes, if you qualify. WIOA (public workforce funding) can pay for any program counted on this page, in full or in part, depending on local limits.²³⁴
Ask an American Job Center whether you qualify, or call 1-877-872-5627.⁵ Before funding training, the center goes through an assessment and a career plan with you.⁴
Or pay yourself. Each state's page lists every program with its price if you pay yourself.

Does WIOA pay for job training? Who qualifies and how to apply

Other training by state

Approved programs per field across every state. Each opens that field's comparison by state.

Where the community health worker program numbers by state come from

Which community health worker programs are counted?

Programs each state approved for WIOA funding (public workforce funding under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act), from the US Department of Labor's file for program year 2024 (July 2024 to June 2025), covering programs approved as of June 30, 2025. Each state keeps its approved programs on an eligible training provider list (ETPL).⁶ Schools that never applied for approval are missing.

What the figures for each state mean

Each figure is the middle program among those that report it: half did better, half did worse. Prices are what most programs cost if you pay yourself (the middle half). Earnings are for the second quarter after students left, times four. Where a figure is missing, the table says why: "Not reported", "Left out" or "Not enough data" (what each means).

Sources for the facts about community health worker training

Show the 6 sourcesHide the sources

Nursing and patient care

Medical office and lab

General healthcare

Skilled trades

Transportation and logistics

Computers and IT

Business and office

Beauty and personal care

Public safety

Food and hospitality

Education and social services

Community health worker training by state