1 | Career Snapshot (2024–25 U.S.)
- What they do: Epidemiologists investigate patterns and causes of disease and injury in populations. They design studies, collect and analyze health data, and inform public health policy and prevention programs.
- Median annual pay (May 2023): $79,370
- Employment, 2023: ≈ 10,800
- Projected growth, 2022–32: +27% (much faster than average)
- Average openings/year: ≈ 1,000
Why demand persists: Pandemic preparedness, chronic disease monitoring, global health threats, and the expanding use of health data analytics.
2 | Core Responsibilities
3 | Where They Work
- Public Health Agencies: CDC, NIH, FDA, WHO, local & state health departments
- Healthcare Systems: Kaiser Permanente, Mayo Clinic, Johns Hopkins Health System
- Global NGOs: Doctors Without Borders, PATH, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
- Academia: Schools of Public Health (Harvard, Columbia, Johns Hopkins, UNC)
- Private Sector: Consulting firms (McKinsey Health, Deloitte Health Analytics), biopharma epidemiology units
4 | Salary Ladder (2025)
5 | Education & Credentials
- Bachelor’s in Biology, Public Health, or Statistics: Entry support roles
- Master’s in Public Health (MPH): Standard for most epidemiologists
- Ph.D. in Epidemiology or DrPH: Required for advanced research, academic, or policy leadership positions
- Certifications: CPH (Certified in Public Health), SAS/biostatistics credentials
6 | Core Competencies
- Strong quantitative & statistical skills
- Epidemiological study design knowledge
- Data visualization (Tableau, PowerBI)
- Understanding of infectious & chronic diseases
- Communication with policymakers & the public
7 | Key Trends (2025–2030)
- Pandemic Preparedness: Heightened global investment in early warning systems
- Climate Change & Health: Rising research into vector-borne and heat-related diseases
- Big Data & AI: Machine learning models for predicting disease spread
- One Health Movement: Linking human, animal, and environmental health
- Global Health Equity: Increased roles in low- and middle-income countries
8 | Potential Hiring Companies & Organizations
- Government Agencies: CDC, NIH, FDA, WHO, USAID
- Healthcare Providers: Johns Hopkins, Cleveland Clinic, Kaiser Permanente
- Pharma & Biotech: Pfizer, GSK, Moderna (vaccine safety & surveillance roles)
- Consulting Firms: McKinsey, Deloitte, RTI International
- Non-Profits: Gates Foundation, PATH, Global Health Council
9 | Pivot Pathways
10 | Burnout Buffer
- Work-life balance can be strained during outbreaks — rotate between research & teaching
- Seek long-term projects in chronic disease monitoring vs. emergency-only response roles
- Build global networks to avoid isolation in local-only work
11 | Is This Career Path Right for You?
If you thrive on problem-solving, public health impact, and uncovering the “why” behind disease patterns, epidemiology may be your calling.
👉 Find out free: Take the MAPP Career Assessment at Assessment.com to see if epidemiology aligns with your strengths and motivations.
