7 Public Health Careers (+ How to Get Started)

A career in public health can have a lasting impact on communities, states, and even nations. There are many different areas that fall under the larger field of public health, such as epidemiology and public policy, so your career possibilities and advancement will depend on which area you're interested in. Learn about some of the careers you can pursue when you're interested in public health.

7 emerging public health careers

Many potential roles exist in this rewarding career path. Consider these emerging public health careers to choose from. Each one of them is growing as fast as or faster than the average employment growth rate, which is projected at 4 percent, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) [1]. The salary information below is for occupations based in the US.

1. Medical and health services manager

As a medical and health services manager, you’re responsible for planning and coordinating services in a health care facility, department, or medical clinic for doctors and nurses. You’ll have to stay up-to-date on changes to health care regulations, laws, and new technologies. This role may involve training staff, developing team goals, and monitoring budgets and performance, so it requires good organizational and communication skills.

Median annual salary (BLS.gov): $117,960 [2]

Projected growth from 2023 to 2033: 29 percent [2] 

Requirements: Bachelor’s degree, though a master’s is also common, with work experience in hospital administration.

2. Biostatistician

A biostatistician answers pressing questions in public health and medicine using statistical analysis. You might research what causes cancer, whether a new prescription drug works, how harmful certain chemicals are for the body, or how long a pandemic will last. Using data like disease rates or genetic information, they design clinical trials to evaluate drug or patient outcomes. If you enjoy applying statistics and math to global health, this can be a lucrative path for you.

Median annual salary (BLS.gov): $104,350 [3]

Projected growth from 2023 to 2033: 11 percent [3] 

Requirements: Bachelor’s degree at minimum, though a master's may be preferred.

3. Health care consultant 

Health care consultants are a specialized version of management consultants or business analysts hired by health care organizations to examine a medical or pharmaceutical company to improve production, supply chain, and other Lean management methods. Using data analysis, you’ll work with the company to prescribe ways to make it more efficient. You’ll often be a contracted employee or independent contractor.

Median annual salary (BLS.gov): $101,190 [4]

Projected growth from 2023 to 2033: 11 percent [4] 

Requirements: Bachelor’s degree for entry-level positions, while an MBA or a specialized master’s (such as MPH) may help accelerate your career.

4. Epidemiologist

Epidemiologists investigate patterns and causes of diseases, injuries, and disorders in society. You will work to reduce their occurrence and risk with research, education, and health policy, so you might work in governments, in the private sector with health insurance or pharmaceutical companies, or non-profit organizations. As an epidemiologist, you will typically specialize in areas such as maternal health, infectious diseases, environmental health, genetics, emergency response, or mental health. You might consider epidemiology if you feel strongly about one of these subjects.

Median annual salary (BLS.gov): $83,980 [5]

Projected growth from 2023 to 2033: 19 percent [5]

Requirements: A Master of Public Health (MPH). Some jobs might require a doctorate in epidemiology or medicine.

Learn more: Social Epidemiology Explained: Meaning, Impact, and Jobs

5. Occupational health and safety specialist

As an occupational health and safety specialist, you’ll collect data and analyze different types of workplace environments to make sure they’re following health and safety regulations correctly. You’re expected to inspect workplace environments and equipment, write reports, and educate workers with training programs. This can be a great opportunity for someone with organizing skills, who enjoys routines, enforcing rules, and interacting with others.

Median annual salary (BLS.gov): $78,900 [6]

Projected growth from 2023 to 2033: 14 percent [6]

Requirements: Bachelor’s degree in occupational health and safety, biology, or a related field. Some roles may require a master’s in industrial hygiene or health physics.

6. Social and community service manager

Social and community service managers typically oversee teams that provide public services, so those who specialize in public or global health work in health advocacy. You’ll manage projects and design programs that address health for a particular group, such as children or those experiencing homelessness or drug abuse. Skills needed for these roles include communication, analysis, problem-solving, and time management.

Median annual salary (BLS.gov): $78,240 [7]

Projected growth from 2023 to 2033: 8 percent [7]

Requirements: Bachelor’s degree in public health, social work, or related field.

7. Health education specialist

Health education specialists teach people about wellness and how to be healthy. You will devise strategies to improve well-being by assessing the needs of individuals and communities, educating them about health, and advocating for public health reform. As a health education specialist, you might work in health care facilities, non-profits, and public health departments to advance society’s knowledge of good health practices.

Median annual salary (BLS.gov): $63,000  [8]

Projected growth from 2023 to 2033: 7 percent [8] 

Requirements: Bachelor’s degree in health science or related field.

Why pursue a career in public health?

Professionals who work in public health often find a great sense of meaning from their work, which tends to have a significant impact on groups of people. It also tends to be in demand, meaning that it may offer more job security or growth opportunity than other career paths, and pay relatively well, depending on the role. Learn more about high-paying public health jobs worth exploring.

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