How much does a epidemiologist make?

The median pay is $41.93 per hour — roughly $87,000 a year, with the real range running from about $29.46/hr (10th percentile) to $66.73/hr (90th percentile). Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Do you need a degree to be a epidemiologist?

The typical entry-level education is: Master's degree. Overall preparation level: extensive preparation (Job Zone 5 of 5).

What does a epidemiologist actually do all day?

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.

Science

Epidemiologists

Investigate and describe the determinants and distribution of disease, disability, or health outcomes. May develop the means for prevention and control.

What it pays
Epidemiologists earn a median of $41.93/hr — about $87,000 a year. The lowest-paid 10% earn $29.46/hr; the top 10% earn $66.73/hr. (Annual figures are approximate: hourly × 2,080.)

What you'd actually do

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.

How you get there

Typical entry-level education: Master's degree. Overall preparation: extensive preparation (Job Zone 5 of 5).

The feel of the work

It rewards working independently; precision matters — small details carry weight. (Compared against the other 818 careers in the guide.)

Working for yourself

About 0% of epidemiologists are self-employed.

Who it tends to fit

This work tends to fit people who are analytical, people-focused and organized and detail-focused.

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Quick questions

How much does a epidemiologist make?: The median pay is $41.93 per hour — roughly $87,000 a year, with the real range running from about $29.46/hr (10th percentile) to $66.73/hr (90th percentile). Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Do you need a degree to be a epidemiologist?: The typical entry-level education is: Master's degree. Overall preparation level: extensive preparation (Job Zone 5 of 5).
What does a epidemiologist actually do all day?: 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.

Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS. Tasks & interests: O*NET. Career pathways shown in the app are draft archetypes — verify before relying on them. Trailhead is a free career guide for students — honest numbers, no hype.

Trailhead is operated by FLEXVermont LLC. It is intended for high-school students age 13 and older, and the educators and families who support them, and is not directed to children under 13. Trailhead is provided for general informational and educational purposes only. It does not offer professional, financial, or career advice, and its wage figures and pathways are estimates that may not fit your situation — they should not be relied on as the sole basis for any decision.