Epidemiologists
SOC code 19-1041 · O*NET-SOC 19-1041.00 · Extensive preparation needed · Science and engineering
Bright Outlook — O*NET expects rapid growth for this occupation
Epidemiologists pay
U.S. national figures, May 2025 BLS survey · How we got this number
Median pay
$87,220
a year
Hourly
$41.93
per hour
The solid band is the middle 50% of workers; the bar spans the 10th to 90th percentile.
Average pay
$97,890
$47.06 per hour
Middle 50%
$71,090 – $112,640
25th to 75th percentile
Full spread
$61,270 – $138,800
10th to 90th percentile
People employed
12,090
nationwide
National U.S. figure, May 2025. Local pay can be higher or lower.
- 10th percentile
- $61,270
- $29.46/hr
- 25th percentile
- $71,090
- $34.18/hr
- Median percentile
- $87,220
- $41.93/hr
- 75th percentile
- $112,640
- $54.15/hr
- 90th percentile
- $138,800
- $66.73/hr
Job outlook · federal projection 2024–34
+16%
Growing much faster than average
12,300
jobs in 2024
14,300
projected for 2034
About 2,000 more jobs
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics employment projections, 2024–34. Projections describe the broader occupation group and are estimates, not guarantees.
What does an epidemiologist do?
Investigate and describe the determinants and distribution of disease, disability, or health outcomes. May develop the means for prevention and control.
The tasks that matter most day to 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.
- 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.
How to become an epidemiologist
Most people in this role hold master's degree — 67% of workers surveyed reported it as their level of education.
Preparation level: zone 5 — Extensive preparation needed
- Education
- Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).
- Experience
- Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.
- Training
- Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training.
Education reported by people doing this job
- Master's Degree67%
- Post-Doctoral Training22%
- Doctoral Degree11%
Common questions
How much does an epidemiologist earn?
The national median is $87,220 a year. The full range runs from $61,270 at the 10th percentile to $138,800 at the 90th — entry pay sits closer to the lower figure, and experience, licensing and specialisation move you up the range.
Can you become an epidemiologist without a degree?
Not usually — this occupation sits in preparation zone 5, where the typical entry route is most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree). The education breakdown above shows what people in the role actually reported.
Is epidemiologist in demand?
Federal projections expect employment to grow by about 16% between 2024 and 2034 — growing much faster than average. Openings also come from people retiring or changing jobs, which the growth figure does not count.
Skills and knowledge you need
Core skills
- Reading Comprehension4.3/5
- Critical Thinking4.3/5
- Active Listening4.1/5
- Writing4.1/5
- Speaking4.1/5
- Science4.1/5
- Active Learning4.0/5
Knowledge areas
- Mathematics4.5/5
- Biology4.3/5
- Medicine and Dentistry4.0/5
- English Language4.0/5
- Computers and Electronics3.5/5
- Communications and Media3.5/5
- Education and Training3.4/5
- Sociology and Anthropology3.2/5
Transferable strengths: Complex Problem Solving, Judgment and Decision Making, Systems Analysis.