Epidemiologists
SOC Code: 19-1041Also known as:
Chronic Disease Epidemiologist, Clinical Epidemiologist, Clinical Lab Scientist (Clinical Laboratory Scientist), Clinical Researcher, Communicable Diseases Specialist
Median Annual Salary
$83,980
+16.2% growth (2024-2034)
800
Openings/Year
12K
Current Jobs
What Epidemiologists Do
Investigate and describe the determinants and distribution of disease, disability, or health outcomes. May develop the means for prevention and control.
💰 Salary
$83,980
Median annual wage (2024)
📈 Job Growth
+16.2%
Much faster than average
🎓 Education
Master's degree
Typical entry-level requirement
🚀 Annual Openings
800
Projected average per year
Employment Projections (2024-2034)
Current Employment (2024)
12,300
Projected Employment (2034)
14,300
Related Careers
Biological scientists, all other
$93,330 •
+1.2% growth
Medical scientists, except epidemiologists
$100,590 •
+8.7% growth
Registered nurses
$93,600 •
+4.9% growth
Physicians, pathologists
N/A •
+4.2% growth
Physicians, all other
N/A •
+2.5% growth
Top Skills Required
Reading Comprehension
Critical Thinking
Complex Problem Solving
Judgment and Decision Making
Active Listening
Daily Tasks & Responsibilities
- Communicate research findings on various types of diseases to health practitioners, policy makers, and the public.
- Oversee public health programs, including statistical analysis, health care planning, surveillance systems, and public health improvement.
- Investigate diseases or parasites to determine cause and risk factors, progress, life cycle, or mode of transmission.
- Educate healthcare workers, patients, and the public about infectious and communicable diseases, including disease transmission and prevention.
- Monitor and report incidents of infectious diseases to local and state health agencies.
- Plan and direct studies to investigate human or animal disease, preventive methods, and treatments for disease.
- Provide expertise in the design, management and evaluation of study protocols and health status questionnaires, sample selection, and analysis.
- Write articles for publication in professional journals.
- Identify and analyze public health issues related to foodborne parasitic diseases and their impact on public policies, scientific studies, or surveys.
- Write grant applications to fund epidemiologic research.
Technology & Tools
📚 Entry-Level Education
Master's degree
Most common requirement
🎯 Recommended Education
Master's Degree
O*NET recommended level
Degree Programs for Epidemiologists
These degree programs can prepare you for a career as a epidemiologists:
Epidemiology
3,053 degrees awarded •
101 colleges offer this program
Environmental Health
1,269 degrees awarded •
78 colleges offer this program
Medical Science/Scientist
1,047 degrees awarded •
65 colleges offer this program
Cell/Cellular Biology and Histology
486 degrees awarded •
23 colleges offer this program
Infectious Disease and Global Health
162 degrees awarded •
9 colleges offer this program
Epidemiology and Biostatistics
151 degrees awarded •
13 colleges offer this program
Best Colleges for Becoming a Epidemiologists
Ranked by Repit grade, then by degrees in related programs. These are the top-rated colleges that prepare students to become epidemiologists.
| # | College | Location | Related Degrees | Repit Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Michigan-Ann Arbor | Ann Arbor, MI | 135 | A+ |
| 2 | University of California-Los Angeles | Los Angeles, CA | 88 | A+ |
| 3 | Columbia University in the City of New York | New York, NY | 308 | A |
| 4 | Johns Hopkins University | Baltimore, MD | 304 | A |
| 5 | Emory University | Atlanta, GA | 233 | A |
| 6 | Boston University | Boston, MA | 220 | A |
| 7 | Harvard University | Cambridge, MA | 215 | A |
| 8 | Yale University | New Haven, CT | 134 | A |
| 9 | Washington University in St Louis | Saint Louis, MO | 110 | A |
| 10 | Tufts University | Medford, MA | 106 | A |
| 11 | University of Pennsylvania | Philadelphia, PA | 59 | A |
| 12 | Cornell University | Ithaca, NY | 55 | A |
| 13 | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill | Chapel Hill, NC | 55 | A |
| 14 | University of Georgia | Athens, GA | 54 | A |
| 15 | Duke University | Durham, NC | 53 | A |
| 16 | Brown University | Providence, RI | 53 | A |
| 17 | New York University | New York, NY | 49 | A |
| 18 | Stanford University | Stanford, CA | 38 | A |
| 19 | Vanderbilt University | Nashville, TN | 33 | A |
| 20 | Northwestern University | Evanston, IL | 32 | A |
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Frequently Asked Questions
How much do epidemiologists make?
The median annual salary for epidemiologists is $83,980.
What education do epidemiologists need?
Most epidemiologists positions require a master's degree.
Common degree programs include Epidemiology, Environmental Health, Medical Science/Scientist.
Is becoming epidemiologists a good career choice?
Epidemiologists is projected to see +16.2% job growth from 2024 to 2034,
which is much faster than average for all occupations. With approximately 800 job openings expected annually,
there are good opportunities for those entering the field.
What are the best colleges for epidemiologists?
Top colleges for aspiring epidemiologists include
University of Michigan-Ann Arbor, University of California-Los Angeles, Columbia University in the City of New York, Johns Hopkins University, Emory University.
These schools are ranked based on their Repit grade and the number of graduates in related programs.
What other job titles are similar to epidemiologists?
Epidemiologists may also be known as: Chronic Disease Epidemiologist, Clinical Epidemiologist, Clinical Lab Scientist (Clinical Laboratory Scientist), Clinical Researcher, Communicable Diseases Specialist, Environmental Epidemiologist, Epidemiologist, Epidemiologist Researcher, Epidemiology Analyst, Epidemiology Investigator, Epidemiology Research Doctor, Histopathologist, Infection Control Coordinator, Infection Control Manager, Infection Control Practitioner (ICP), Infection Control Preventionist, Infection Control Specialist, Infection Prevention Coordinator, Infection Prevention Specialist, Infection Preventionist (IP).
These titles often refer to similar roles with varying responsibilities or specializations.