There are many options for a successful career in public health, but it should be noted that you more than likely need a degree and that salaries vary by geographic location, cost of living, the company, and job roles or functions. If you are considering or looking for a job in public health, read our guide to learn about 10 high-paying public health jobs along with detailed information on top-paying locations and industries.

The sponsored program table featured on this page was last updated in November 2022. For the most current program information, please refer to the official website of the respective school. 

University and Program Name	Study Length	Test Requirement	Number of Credits
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Master of Public Health (MPH) info SPONSORED	As few as 20 months	No GRE Required	42
George Washington University Master of Public Health info SPONSORED	As few as 12 months	No GRE Required	45
Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) Institute of Health Professions Masters of Health Administration info SPONSORED	12-24 Months	No GMAT or GRE Required	36

To start a successful career in public health, individuals with an interest in the field need to start with the basics, so let’s review public health degrees and why they are important.

The following sections provide information on high-paying public health careers, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), as well as an explanation of job functions and requirements to be considered for employment.

Summary: $98,920 per year / Minimum of a bachelor’s degree

Statisticians are a vital part of public health research. Statisticians design experiments, questionnaires, and surveys to collect data on people and health. They analyze the collected data and create reports to highlight trends and explain their findings. Statisticians can work in many fields, but most are employed in government, healthcare, or research and development. Biostaticians, in particular, use statistical tools to research questions related to medicine and biology. They may look into new drugs on the market or the causes of diseases.

An undergraduate degree in statistics will suffice for some entry-level jobs, but many roles require a master’s degree. Coursework in statistics and mathematics is necessary for entry into a master’s program. A master’s degree in statistics, when paired with biology or public health coursework, can lay the foundation for pursuing a career in biostatistics.

Biostatisticians earned a median annual salary of $98,920 in 2022. The lowest 10% of professionals made less than $58,090 and the highest 10% earned more than $161,300.

Summary: $164,070 per year / Minimum of a bachelor’s degree

Computer and information system managers are tasked with the planning, coordination, and supervision of computer-related operations at their organization. In the context of public health, these experts, often referred to as clinical informatics specialists or information system managers, bear the responsibility of defining and addressing IT needs and goals for healthcare organizations. They may resolve software and hardware issues, install new computer systems, keep operating costs low, and orchestrate and oversee long-term strategies to make computer systems and medical record keeping safer and more effective. 

To become an IT manager, a bachelor’s degree in computer and information science or a related discipline is advised. However, if you’d like to combine your interests in computer science and healthcare, a master’s in healthcare informatics may be the best fit for you. Courses typically cover healthcare systems, health informatics concepts, data analytics, database design and implementation, and IT strategy and management courses.

As of 2022, the median salary for computer and information systems managers was $164,070 per year. The lowest 10% of professionals earned less than $97,430 and the highest 10% made more than $239,200.

Summary: $80,840 per year / Minimum of a master’s degree

Individuals who seek a doctoral degree often do so with the aim of working in academia or conducting scholarly research. These professionals often focus their research on critical topics such as bioterrorism, vaccines, healthcare outcomes, mental health, and social behavior.

Some public health practitioners choose to also obtain their medical license and work as public health physicians or preventive medicine physicians, meaning they can diagnose and treat populations and individuals. These individuals often work for hospitals or government agencies and may also be on boards or serve as key members of other public health organizations.

Professors or postsecondary teachers in public health teach students at the undergraduate or graduate levels. While many professors hold doctoral degrees, some institutions may consider applicants with master’s degrees and substantial professional experience. Additionally, many professors may be expected to conduct research or be involved in various organizations related to their specialty. 

For those who are interested in preventive medicine, becoming a licensed medical doctor (MD) may be the career choice for you.

The median annual salary for postsecondary teachers was $80,840 in 2022. The lowest 10% of these professionals earned less than $47,370 while the highest 10% earned more than $173,730. 

Summary: $79,180 per year / Minimum of a bachelor’s degree

Emergency management directors prepare and develop plans to respond to natural disasters and other emergencies. They must assess hazards and develop plans to respond to disasters while also minimizing the risk to the public. In collaboration with public officials, nonprofits, and government agencies, emergency management directors help lead the response both before and after emergencies and disasters.

Emergency management directors typically have at least a bachelor’s degree in business, emergency management, or public health, as well as many years of work experience in public administration, emergency preparedness, or disaster planning. Some roles in the private sector may require a degree in computer science, information systems administration, or a related information technology (IT) field.

The median annual salary for emergency management directors was $79,180 in 2022. The lowest 10% of directors earned less than $46,920 and the highest 10% earned more than $147,870. 

Summary: $76,480 per year / Minimum of a bachelor’s degree

Environmental scientists use their knowledge of natural sciences to protect both environmental and human health. Environmental scientists are tasked with a range of duties, including land reclamation and developing regulations and plans to curtail air and soil pollution. Additionally, they take charge of data collection and dissemination of information to governmental bodies, businesses, and the public. While a significant number are employed by state and local governments, many also work as consultants. They work in laboratories, offices, and conduct field work.

A bachelor’s degree in environmental sciences, biology, chemistry, engineering, or public health may be sufficient for certain entry-level jobs in environmental sciences (such as field analysts or research assistants). For more advanced careers, a master’s degree is often required. For those aspiring to pursue a career in environmental sciences, their curriculum should encompass foundational subjects like biology, geology, and physics, in addition to more specialized courses such as waste management, fluid mechanics, data analysis, and computer modeling. Communication and interpersonal skills can be useful to environmental scientists as many roles require individuals to explain findings to a variety of people. Additionally, analytical thinking and problem solving can be powerful tools.

Recommended or common degrees: Environmental health programs

The median annual salary for environmental scientists and specialists was $76,480 in 2022. The lowest 10% of scientists earned less than $46,920 and the highest 10% earned more than $130,770. 

Summary: $78,520 per year / Minimum of a master’s degree in public health

Epidemiologists work to reduce negative health outcomes among populations. With tasks such as developing and directing studies to determine the causes of disease and injury, analyzing collected data, communicating their findings to both the public and policymakers, suggesting preventive measures, informing public health policies, and facilitating timely responses to emerging health threats, epidemiologists play a crucial role in safeguarding public health. 

A master’s-level degree is required to work as an epidemiologist. The degree could be in epidemiology or another related public health field. The coursework, however, usually includes statistics, survey design, public health, biostatistics, and physical sciences. Soft skills such as attention to detail, critical thinking, and effective communication are useful to have in this profession.

The median annual salary for epidemiologists was $78,520 in 2022. The lowest 10% of epidemiologists earned less than $51,170 and the highest 10% earned more than 123,430.  

Summary: $100,660 per year / Minimum of a bachelor’s degree

Health and safety engineers work primarily in scientific and technical services but are also employed in construction and by the government. Historically, the manufacturing industry has relied on health and safety engineers to not only ensure the safety of consumer products and work environments, but also to help cut production costs. The job of a health and safety engineer is to design systems and procedures that prevent people from getting sick or injured. Employing observational skills, critical thinking, problem solving and creativity, health and safety engineers identify potential hazards. They also ensure compliance to health and safety regulations, review safety programs, and conduct accident investigations among other multifaceted tasks.

A bachelor’s degree in engineering, public health or occupational/industrial hygiene is typically required for entry-level jobs in health and safety engineering. Individuals interested in health and safety engineering may take undergraduate courses in engineering, occupational safety, industrial hygiene, and environmental health and safety. Experience is also highly sought after by employers, so internships or work experience should also be considered.

Health and safety engineers earned a median annual salary of $100,660 in 2022. The lowest 10% of engineers made less than $59,090 per year while the highest 10% earned more than $152,550.

Summary: $104,830 per year / Minimum of a bachelor’s degree

Medical or health services managers, sometimes called healthcare administrators or executives, support a clinic, department, or group of physicians by directing and coordinating health services. The main goal of a healthcare manager is to improve the quality and efficiency of healthcare services. Duties range from billing and scheduling to representing their team at board meetings or in meetings with governing bodies. Healthcare administrators work in hospitals, nursing homes, ambulatory health services, clinics and occasionally, in government positions.

At a minimum, healthcare administrators must have a bachelor’s degree, but master’s degrees are more common. Specializing in health administration equips aspiring professionals with fundamental knowledge across a range of topics including accounting, budgeting, health economics, strategic planning, and hospital organization and management. For those with a bachelor’s degree, experience working in a hospital may be helpful and required by some employers. A certification or license may also be required by employers or the state.

The median annual salary for medical and health services managers was $104,830 in 2022. The lowest 10% of managers earned less than $64,100 and the highest 10% earned more than $209,990.

Summary: $135,740 per year / Minimum of a doctoral degree

Public health attorneys are a type of lawyer that work with local, state, and national government officials to devise policies, set regulations, and pass laws concerning public health standards. Public health attorneys may also advocate for patients and victims, filing lawsuits against companies and organizations that violate public health standards.

The path toward becoming a lawyer typically begins with four years of undergraduate study followed by three years of law school where aspiring professionals earn a Juris Doctor (JD). Individuals must attend a law school that has been accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA). For those who wish to specialize in public health, completing coursework focused on health law can be helpful. The final step to becoming a lawyer is taking and passing the bar exam.

As of 2022, the median annual salary for lawyers was $135,740. The lowest 10% of lawyers earned less than $66,470 and the highest 10% earned more than $239,200.

Summary: $74,240 per year / Minimum of a bachelor’s degree 

Social and community service managers supervise workers who provide social services to the public. These services can be tailored to specific groups such as children, veterans, senior citizens, or the homeless, and may address specific challenges like substance abuse, mental health concerns, or unemployment. Core responsibilities include coordinating and overseeing health programs and community organizations. Social and community service managers are also responsible for the administrative aspects of community programs, working with stakeholders to meet objectives, plan and manage outreach and awareness campaigns, and write proposals for community services funding. 

Most positions in social and community service management require a bachelor’s degree in social work, public health, or a related field. However, some jobs may require a master’s degree. Strong analytical, communication, time management, and problem-solving skills are key to a career in social and community service management.

The median annual salary for social and community service managers was $74,240 in 2022, with the lowest 10% earning less than $46,770 and the highest 10% earning more than $123,320.

Besides the 10 highest paid public health jobs listed above, we have compiled a list of the top-paying locations and industries for certain public health jobs. All data has been gathered from the BLS.

Top-paying locations and industries for health education specialists (May 2022)

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Top-paying locations and industries for health and safety engineers (May 2022)

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Top-paying locations and industries for environmental scientists and specialists (May 2022)

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Top-paying locations and industries for medical and services managers (May 2022) 

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Top-paying locations and industries for statisticians (May 2022)

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Top-paying locations and industries for epidemiologists (May 2022)

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If you still have questions after reading about the highest-paying careers in public health, refer to the frequently asked questions below or learn more with our guide What Can You Do With a Public Health Degree?

Last updated January 2024.