How Much is a CDC Doctor Salary?

How Much Can I Make Working for the CDC?

The United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is the world’s top agency in many fields. These include epidemiology, public health and infectious diseases. This exciting organization belongs to the Department of Health and Human Services. Working at the CDC automatically grants access to cutting-edge technology. It also comes with amazing career opportunities and the potential for both domestic and international travel. The work environment of a CDC employee can vary as you can work either in a laboratory, in an office, or in the field. Some of the top jobs in the CDC include jobs in:

  • epidemiology
  • information technology
  • microbiology
  • statistics

Whether you want to enter industry, academia, government or the nonprofit world, having “Centers for Disease Control” on your resume is invaluable. There are many career options available. But the question that is often asked is: how much money can you make while you are working for the CDC?

Government Pay Scale–CDC Salary

As a federal employee, you will be compensated based on both your education and work experience. You will use the government pay scale to determine your income. Luckily, the CDC publicly posts the ranks available for prospective employees on the website. For example, an epidemiologist with a bachelor’s degree would make $36,475. A scientist with a PhD in Epidemiology would start at the CDC epidemiologist base salary of $47,415. While these numbers may seem low, you should keep in mind that the CDC offers location adjustment of ten to twenty percent more than your base salary. These adjustments depend on location, not to mention the amazing benefit package. It is also important to remember that any extra degrees, credentials, and experience will only add to this base salary figure. Additionally, there are many job opportunities working for the Center for Disease Control and Prevention that pay quite well. Some jobs start with a relatively low entry level salary. But, according to federalpay.org, the average CDC employment salary is $108,590. This CDC salary amount takes into account the base salary as well as any bonuses the worker may receive.  According to their website, the CDC employees with the highest yearly salary are all listed as CDC medical officers. Additionally, the website lists general health science as the most common CDC occupation, followed by public health program specialists. 

Working for the CDC as a Physician

As one would imagine, being employed as a physician will automatically mean a more lucrative salary. The CDC welcomes both allopathic and osteopathic physicians to work as medical officers in the civil service or the Public Health Service Commissioned Corps. Doctors can be hired by the CDC at the GS-602-11 pay scale without going through residency, though higher pay scales are available for board certified physicians and completed residencies. With no training other than medical school, physicians start at $67,705. But, the amount for starting pay can go up to $108,279 with additional certifications. It is important to remember that location-based bonuses can drastically change a starting salary.  For example, employees based in Atlanta receive an additional 19.29% location adjustment. Washington D.C. employees, on the other hand, receive 24.22% more, and most other areas such as these give at least a 15% increase. In addition, doctors are eligible for up to $40,000 in hiring incentives as well as CDC awards that give cash bonuses and additional paid time off. Of course, they will also be able to take advantage of the numerous benefits that all employees enjoy. As with any other occupation, the salary, bonuses, and benefits all have the potential to increase greatly with time. Some CDC medical officers make as much as $300,000.  

Benefits of Working for the CDC

As a federal agency, the CDC offers numerous benefits to its employees. Even though the salary alone might not initially draw someone to work for the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, when combined with the excellent benefit package, it can be a hard job offer to turn down. It is no secret that government jobs provide excellent benefit packages. As a CDC employee, you will have access to a generous health insurance plan for both yourself and your family, with almost all of the cost paid for by the government. You will also be eligible for 10 paid holidays, 13 days of sick leave as well as 13 days of personal time; that adds up to 36 paid days off per year. The CDC also provides exciting benefits such as on-site child care, continuing education courses, student loan repayment, flextime arrangements, subsidized public transportation passes, a credit union and an on-site fitness center. Once you have worked for the CDC, you will realize the value of the extraordinary benefits and you will not necessarily want to leave the CDC for a position with a higher salary if the benefit package is not comparable. 

If you are a healthcare professional, clinician or scientist, you can very likely find yourself a professional home at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It may be true that you could make more money starting off in another sector, but the CDC offers unparalleled benefits, amazing career opportunities, and excellent occasions for upward mobility in the profession. You will also have the unique opportunity to work with many of the top professionals in public health, epidemiology, infectious disease and behavioral sciences. Additionally, you can have the ability to enjoy a level of job security and retirement benefits that you are unlikely to find in the private sector. Working for the CDC is a truly rewarding experience. We trust this coverage of the CDC salary scale will serve you well as you advance in your career planning.

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Updated June 2022