Highest Paying Public Health Careers - St. Mary's University (2024)

June 5, 2024

University Services Public Health

By dedicating your career to public health, you’re choosing a rewarding path that includes various disciplines in both government and private/non-government sectors. The focus of public health jobs can range from disease prevention to disaster preparedness, bioterrorism interception, environmental health, and more. Additionally, many professionals in public health careers work in exciting and interesting environments, including civil service organizations, health research centers, and healthcare facilities.

While the MPH degree was originally designed to train people for work in government agencies, today’s MPH graduates are also sought after by employers in the pharmaceutical industry, the nonprofit sector, and healthcare insurance. Seeking to attract professionals with expertise in science, human health, and data analytics, these companies tend to offer higher salaries for public health jobs.¹

Biostatisticians earn a median salary of 104,110 per year.²

Several public health jobs also feature high salaries, especially for MPH graduates. If you’re in search of a six-figure public health job and interested in using statistics to solve problems in healthcare, becoming a biostatistician could be the right move for you. Learn more about this occupation and other high-paying public health jobs below.

High-Paying Careers inPublic Health

Earning an MPH degree can open doors to meaningful opportunities and above-average pay in the best public health jobs available. To prepare graduates to succeed in these top positions, the online MPH program from Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota utilizes a curriculum designed by field experts and taught by real-world practitioners. Learn more about how Saint Mary’s can help you become a stronger public health leader and secure high-paying MPH jobs like those below.

Biostatistician

Biostatisticians collect and analyze data related to healthcare and report their findings to research hospitals, public health agencies, pharmaceutical companies, and other groups. They play an important role in essential public health functions such as testing new medicines and identifying the sources of disease outbreaks. As a biostatistician, your responsibilities may include:

• Identifying and gathering the data needed to answer questions related to public health
• Using mathematical strategies to solve healthcare problems
• Analyzing data from medical studies and surveys
• Creating visualizations and reports to communicate your findings

Salary and Career Outlook

Biostatisticians earn one of the highest salaries in field of public health at a median of $104,110 per year, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. A lengthy career in this occupation can lead to an even higher salary, with the top 10% of biostatisticians making $183,500 or more.² Job openings for this role are also expected to increase much faster than average for all occupations between 2022 and 2032: Mathematicians and statisticians, including biostatisticians, are projected to see a 30% increase during this decade.²

Required Education

Jobs for professional statisticians, including biostatisticians, typically require at least an undergraduate degree in mathematics or statistics. Master’s degrees are often preferred for these positions, and to work as a biostatistician, a master’s in statistics or an MPH degree is highly recommended.

Epidemiologist

Epidemiologists study patterns of infectious diseases and other health risks to minimize impacts on public health. They oversee health studies and communicate their findings to doctors, researchers, and members of the public. Those working as epidemiologists often:

• Design and conduct studies to learn about issues affecting public health
• Analyze data to identify the causes of disease
• Communicate their findings to various audiences
• Seek grants and other sources of funding to continue their research

Salary and Career Outlook

Epidemiologist earnings are higher than the average for all occupations, with a median annual salary of $81,390.³ Further, epidemiologists working in the private/non-government sector report a median salary of $92,700 per year.⁴ According to the latest data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the highest paying work environments for this occupation include:

1. Scientific research and development services
2. Hospitals
3. Colleges, universities, and professional schools
4. State government
5. Local government

In addition to above-average pay, the field of epidemiology is experiencing job growth at a much higher rate than the average for all occupations. Between 2022 and 2032, the field is expected to grow by 27% due to higher demand for research into new diseases discovered thanks to emerging healthcare technologies.³

Required Education

A master’s degree in public health is common for professionals in this field, with many epidemiologists earning an MPH with a concentration in epidemiology. Those interested in teaching or directing research go on to earn a Ph.D.

Are You Ready to Become a Leader in Public Health?

Study a CEPH-aligned curriculum and graduate in as little as two years with an online MPH from Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota.

Environmental Scientist

Environmental scientists who work in public health often focus on the impact of environmental factors such as pollution and climate change on human well-being. Their job is to analyze and find solutions to environmental problems as they apply to health. Environmental scientists in public health are responsible for:

• Gathering data related to environment-driven health risks
• Analyzing information to better understand how the environment impacts public health
• Communicating their findings to government officials, businesses, and other necessary parties
• Preparing reports that distribute information to a wide audience

Salary and Career Outlook

Environmental scientists earn a median salary of $78,980 per year, according to the latest information from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The top 10% of earners in this occupation make high salaries at more than $133,660, with the federal government as the highest paying major employer of environmental scientists. This role is also expected to grow at a rate of 6% between 2022 and 2032, which is faster than average.⁵

Required Education

Most people who become environmental scientists start by earning an undergraduate degree in environmental science or another natural science field, such as biology, chemistry, or physics. A master’s degree is often required for professional environmental science positions, and for those wishing to work in public health, an MPH degree provides the training they need to complement their natural science expertise.

Health Education Specialist

Health education specialists, also called health educators, encourage employees of an organization or general members of the public to develop healthier habits. Professionals in this role often work in healthcare facilities, nonprofit organizations, and public health departments. The responsibilities of health education specialists include:

• Developing programs and materials to educate people about health and wellness
• Assisting others in accessing health information
• Learning about a specific population to provide the health education resources they most need
• Advocating for improved health resources in their community

Salary and Career Outlook

Health education specialists earn a median annual salary of $62,860, which is above the national average.⁶ In the Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington Metropolitan Area, which is the ninth-highest concentration of employed health education specialists in the U.S., pay for this position is higher at an average of $69,830 per year.⁶ The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics also reports the following information for this occupation⁷:

• The job outlook for health education specialists is strong, with a projected 7% increase in openings between the years 2022 and 2032
• The top 10% of health education specialists in the U.S. earn high salaries of $107,920 or more per year
• The three highest paying work environments for health education specialists include hospitals, government, and ambulatory health services

Required Education

Health education specialists need to have at least a bachelor’s degree, but earning a master’s in public health can lead to more opportunities, including leadership and management positions. Many employers also require those working in this position to obtain a Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) credential.

Boost Your Salary with an MPH

Confidently pursue the highest paying jobs in public health after completing the online MPH program at Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota. In as little as two years, you can graduate ready to elevate your career thanks to the program’s Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH)-aligned curriculum. With hands-on field experiences and courses in biostatistics and epidemiology, this master’s degree will ensure you’re prepared to apply your expertise to top jobs in public health.

Take the next step toward a high-paying public health career today. Learn more about the online program offered by Saint Mary’s University.

Sources

1. Griset, Rich. “These jobs require a master’s degree in public health—and pay $100K and up.” Fortune. Mar. 30, 2023. Retrieved May 29, 2024 from https://fortune.com/education/articles/these-jobs-require-a-masters-degree-in-public-health-and-pay-100k-and-up/.
2. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. “Mathematicians and Statisticians.” Apr. 17, 2024. Retrieved Apr. 25, 2024 from https://www.bls.gov/ooh/math/mathematicians-and-statisticians.htm.
3. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. “Epidemiologists.” Apr. 17, 2024. Retrieved Apr. 25, 2024 from https://www.bls.gov/ooh/life-physical-and-social-science/epidemiologists.htm.
4. Krasna, H., Venkataraman, M., & Patino, I. (2024). “Salary Disparities in Public Health Occupations: Analysis of Federal Data, 2021‒2022.” American Journal of Public Health, 114(3), 329-339.
5. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. “Environmental Scientists and Specialists.” Apr. 19, 2024. Retrieved Apr. 25, 2024 from https://www.bls.gov/ooh/life-physical-and-social-science/environmental-scientists-and-specialists.htm.
6. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. “Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2023: 21-1091 Health Education Specialists.” Apr. 3, 2024. Retrieved Apr. 25, 2024 from https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes211091.htm.
7. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. “Health Education Specialists.” Apr. 17, 2024. Retrieved Apr. 25, 2024 from https://www.bls.gov/ooh/community-and-social-service/health-educators.htm.