5 Well Paying Jobs in Public Health - Master's in Public Health Degree Programs

High Paying Jobs in Public Health

Epidemiologists
Health Educators
Health Services Managers
Infection Control Practitioners
Biostatisticians

Public Health professionals looking for a highest paying job in public health have a number of directions they can go in. A career in public health requires at least a bachelor’s degree, and many people earn a higher degree such as a master’s in public health (MPH) in order to work in one of these best paying jobs in public health. The annual salary for paying public health jobs increases with education, employment in the private or university research sectors and advancement to management positions. These are five highest paying public health jobs. Check out these highest paying jobs in public health to see if one appeals to you.

Epidemiologist

Epidemiologists investigate the causes and patterns of diseases and injuries in people. They may also investigate diseases in animals, especially diseases that can be spread to people. Most epidemiologists have at least a master’s degree in public health. They work at state and local health government agencies, universities, scientific research centers and in the federal government. As one of the top-paying jobs in public health, epidemiologists earn a median salary of $78,830 in 2021. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $50,100, with the highest 10 percent earning more than $130,050. Infection control epidemiologist salaries for those working in scientific research and development are the top earners. The Bureau of Labor Statistics expects the growth of epidemiologist jobs to be at 26 percent between 2021 and 2031, which is much faster than the national average.

Health Educator

Health educators teach people about healthy behaviors. They promote preventive activities such as exercise, healthy eating and screening tests in order to reduce the risk of injury, illness or chronic diseases. These health communication specialists working as health educators may find employment at hospitals, health departments, universities or large corporations with employee health systems. Health educators working in public health education may also work at insurance companies. Most health educators need to have the Certified Health Education Specialist credential. A bachelor’s degree is the minimum level of education to be a health educator. The median salary for health educator specialists in 2021 was $60,600. Those working in hospitals can expect the highest wages, followed by working for government agencies. The field of health education can anticipate annual growth of 12% between 2021 and 2031, which is much faster than average for all occupations.

Health Services Manager

Health services managers plan and coordinate the delivery of health services to patients. They may work in a public health department, clinic, doctor’s office, university, insurance company or governmental organization. A health manager may coordinate public health services or implement overall strategies on lowering the risk of a specific disease. They often coordinate screening, prevention and treatment plans for disease and injury prevention. Health services managers often lead a team of physicians, nurses, health educators and epidemiologists in order to measure the effectiveness of their health services. This well-paying public health job’s median salary in 2021 was $101,340. Job growth for these public health program managers is expected to be 28% between 2021 and 2031, which is much faster than the average for all occupations.

Infection Control Practitioner

An infection control practitioner is a type of advanced practice nurse. These professionals are responsible for preventing the spread of illnesses in nursing homes, long-term care facilities and hospitals. They may also work in state or federal government or insurance companies. This job requires both a master’s degree in nursing and a master’s degree in public health. To work as an infection control practitioner, you must also be licensed as a registered nurse and pass a certification exam in your state. According to Salary.com, an Infection Control Practitioner (ICP) makes in the United States make a typical salary of $98,400 as of 2023, with a salary range typically falling between $89,800 and $107,800. Salary ranges vary depending on factors such as including education level, certifications, special skills, and years of experience. Like all healthcare professions, infection control has a strong job outlook.

Biostatistician

Biostatisticians analyze data that is related to the delivery of healthcare services. They may also perform data analysis on surveys collected by epidemiologists. For example, a biostatistician may analyze the results of a case-control study in order to determine which food in question was the cause of a food-borne illness in a population. They may also analyze whether a new treatment is better than the old treatment for a disease. Biostatisticians have at least a master’s degree and work in universities, state and federal government, health departments, private companies and research centers. The median salary for a biostatistician in 2021 was $96,280. The top paying industry for this public health career is in research and development, followed by working for the federal government. The field of Biostatistics anticipates growth of 31% from 2021 to 2031, which is much faster than average for all occupations.

Each of these public health jobs offers a higher than average annual salary. Keep in mind that the pay range often varies based on location, years of experience and your degree and certifications. Advancing your education, adding certifications or working in a metropolitan area are ways to get a well-paying public health job. Many of the best healthcare jobs pay well.

FAQ’s

What are some other great paying jobs related to public health?

There are many well paying jobs in public health, including Public Health Attorneys, working in environmental health, Community Service Managers, Health and Wellness Managers, Emergency Management directors, Health and safety engineers, public health educators, public health nurses, mental health and some to check out. Also health promotion program coordinators, health services management, occupational health, and health and safety specialists are other possibilities. These public health jobs are all within the public health and health care field with above average salary. Whether you have a master of public health degree (MPH) or related education, working in the challenging field of public health makes a difference. Pay scales vary according to industry. For example, a public health attorney employed by state and local governments or federal agencies will be paid differently than if in the private sector. Behavioral health program coordinators working for a nonprofit organization in mental health may not be payed as well as someone in occupational health or a health and safety engineer. Is the work in one of the many medical facilities that is for profit, or on of the nonprofit organizations in the community? Any of these highest paying public health jobs requires a bachelor’s degree for starters. Labor Statistics show positive growth for highest paying public health jobs.

What is the job outlook in the public health field?

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects healthcare occupations in general to grow 13 percent from 2021 to 2031, which is much faster than the average for all occupations. Specific health careers that pay well, such as biostatistics, are expected to have even more robust growth, with a projected 31 percent growth over the next decade. Health and safety engineers, community health workers, medical and health services workers, public mental health, work as a public health nurse, working in health programs as public health administrators or public health consultants, and other public health workers all can expect good job outlooks. These best paying public health jobs in the public health sector also have excellent growth outlook for the future, whether they work in healthcare facilities or other environment.

Should you consider a job in the field of public health?

The important field of public health offers opportunities to suit a wide variety of interests and skills. Whether interested in crunching numbers, performing research, serving in health administration, or working in the community with the public, community health workers can be satisfied to know their work impacts the health and lives of people. Helping people during public health emergencies or catching those who violate public health standards can be satisfying work.

What is the professional organization for Public Health?

The American Public Health Association (APHA) is one of the professional public health organizations supporting the field of public health. APHA seeks to “create the healthiest nation in one generation,” and champion the health of all people and all communities, and work to strengthen the public health profession and promote careers in public health, whether working in occupational health, a health and wellness manager, or as a researcher working to conduct research. APHA has been influential in improving important federal policies and bring together public health practitioners and health workers from across all disciplines. APHA’s mission to improve the health of the public while reducing health disparities continues as they represent all disciplines of public health in both the U.S. and over 40 countries and influence global health and health care, as well as the overall health of people.

Does work in the field of public health really make a difference in the world today?

Public health concerns have prompted initiatives over the last century have added 25 years to the life expectancy of people in the United States. The top paying public health jobs can make a difference. Public health’s greatest health improvements in the last 100 years include workplace safety, infectious disease control, food safety, environmental health and safety, maternal child health, decrease in deaths from heart disease and stroke, automotive safety, immunizations, family planning, reproductive health, fluoridated drinking water, and education on tobacco use cessation. Although great strides have been made, more work is to be done to ward off public health threats and make this next century healthier. From providing community education, working as a public health program manager, as health service administrators, healthcare executives, registered nurses, serving as mental health counselors, a health communication specialist in a public health program, or in family health services, safety and health conditions can be improved and can make a difference in public health. Working with government agencies and coordinating between agencies during a natural disaster also helps negate negative health outcomes has been a major improvement in public health, with information being distributed by public health information officers.

MPH staff, 2023

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