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Epidemiologist: pay, job outlook and how to become one
- $61,270lowest 10% earn less
- $71,09025th percentile
- $87,220median
- $112,64075th percentile
- $138,800top 10% earn more
Epidemiologists earned a median of $87,220 a year in May 2025[1]. The typical entry path needs a master's degree, and jobs are projected to grow 18.7% from 2025 to 2035[2][3].
How much do epidemiologists make?
The median pay for epidemiologists was $87,220 a year, or $41.93 an hour, in May 2025[1]. Half earned more and half earned less. The average was $97,890 a year, or $47.06 an hour[7]. For all occupations, the median annual wage was $50,980[5].
Here is how pay spreads across the job:
| Point in the range | Annual wage | Hourly wage |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile[4][8] | $61,270 | $29.46 |
| 25th percentile[4][8] | $71,090 | $34.18 |
| Median[1] | $87,220 | $41.93 |
| 75th percentile[4][8] | $112,640 | $54.15 |
| 90th percentile[4][8] | $138,800 | $66.73 |
A percentile is a boundary. The lowest-paid 10% of epidemiologists earned less than $61,270[4][9]. BLS publishes percentile wages and does not publish a starting salary[9].
These figures cover workers paid a wage or salary. They leave out the self-employed, nonproduction bonuses and the cost of benefits such as health insurance[10]. About 12,090 people worked as epidemiologists on that basis[11].
Pay by state and city
Massachusetts had the highest median annual wage, $115,890[12]. The District of Columbia followed at $112,370, then California at $110,760, New Jersey at $109,760 and Washington at $108,240[12]. Mississippi had the lowest listed median, $56,930[12].
California had the most jobs, 1,480[13]. Texas followed with 1,160, then Washington with 1,010, New York with 670 and Massachusetts with 660[13].
Among metro areas with at least 100 jobs, San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA had the highest median, $130,400[14]. San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA ($125,320) and Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($123,970) came next[14]. Boston-Cambridge-Newton had the most jobs, 620, with a median of $115,890[15]. Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue had 580 jobs[15].
Show median pay in 41 states and DC
| State | Median per year | Jobs |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts[12] | $115,890 | 660 |
| District of Columbia | $112,370 | 90 |
| California | $110,760 | 1,480 |
| New Jersey | $109,760 | 290 |
| Washington | $108,240 | 1,010 |
| Minnesota | $104,460 | 310 |
| Illinois | $102,720 | 240 |
| Maryland | $101,830 | 600 |
| Nevada | $99,880 | 80 |
| Tennessee | $97,310 | 220 |
| Oregon | $93,620 | 140 |
| Wisconsin | $88,770 | 90 |
| Pennsylvania | $87,860 | 360 |
| Michigan | $84,990 | 280 |
| Virginia | $84,930 | 220 |
| North Carolina | $84,770 | 220 |
| South Carolina | $84,660 | 50 |
| Connecticut | $83,670 | 160 |
| Nebraska | $83,240 | 80 |
| New York | $80,220 | 670 |
| New Mexico | $79,980 | 80 |
| Iowa | $79,880 | 90 |
| Kansas | $79,620 | 70 |
| Montana | $79,500 | 100 |
| Florida | $79,460 | 300 |
| Kentucky | $78,810 | 120 |
| Indiana | $77,250 | 170 |
| Texas | $77,170 | 1,160 |
| Utah | $76,960 | 190 |
| Hawaii | $76,780 | 70 |
| Ohio | $76,480 | 300 |
| Alabama | $74,740 | 70 |
| Louisiana | $73,850 | 120 |
| Colorado | $73,750 | 430 |
| Oklahoma | $72,590 | 120 |
| Georgia | $70,880 | 510 |
| West Virginia | $70,540 | 100 |
| Maine | $68,850 | 60 |
| Arizona | $67,260 | 340 |
| Missouri | $66,890 | 120 |
| Idaho | $66,280 | 40 |
| Mississippi | $56,930 | 40 |
How to become an epidemiologist
- First: earn a bachelor's degree. Applicants to graduate programs in epidemiology typically have one in areas such as biology, social science, or public policy and social services[16].
- Next: earn a master's degree. BLS lists a master's as the typical entry education, with no related work experience and no on-the-job training needed[2]. Epidemiologists typically need at least that level[17].
- Also: look for a master's in public health or a related field. A public health master's with a focus on epidemiology is a common choice[17][18].
- Then: complete practical training. Some programs require an internship or practicum that lasts from a semester to a year[19]. Federal agencies such as the CDC and NIH offer internships and other training[19].
Some epidemiologists go further. People who direct research projects, including those who teach at colleges and universities, often hold a Ph.D. or medical degree[18]. Some hold degrees in both epidemiology and medicine and often focus on clinical work[20].
In an O*NET survey of 18 workers, 67% said a master's degree was required, 22% said post-doctoral training and 11% said a doctoral degree[21]. The facts we use do not say how long the degrees take or what they cost.
What epidemiologists do
O*NET describes the work as studying the causes and spread of disease, disability and health outcomes, and sometimes developing ways to prevent and control them[22]. Common tasks include:
- Sharing research on diseases with health practitioners, policy makers and the public[23].
- Overseeing public health programs, including data analysis and surveillance systems[23].
- Investigating diseases to find their causes, risk factors and how they spread[23].
- Teaching healthcare workers, patients and the public about infectious disease and prevention[23].
- Reporting infectious disease cases to local and state health agencies[23].
- Planning and directing studies of disease and its treatment[23].
- Writing journal articles and grant applications for research funding[23].
OOH names communication, critical thinking, attention to detail, leadership, and math and statistics skills as important[24][25][26][27][28].
Where they work
Work settings vary by specialty. Epidemiologists typically work in offices and laboratories, studying data and preparing reports[29]. They also may work in clinical settings or in the field to support emergency actions[29]. Field work can involve community outreach, travel for surveys and studies, and for infectious disease specialists, trips to remote areas and developing nations[30]. OOH says the risk is minimal because of training and precautions[31].
State government, excluding education and hospitals, was the largest employer, at 33% in 2025[32]. Full-time epidemiologists typically have a standard schedule, with irregular hours at times for fieldwork or public health emergencies[33].
Job outlook
BLS projects employment of epidemiologists to grow 18.7% from 2025 to 2035, from about 12,800 to 15,200 jobs[3]. That is a gain of 2,400 jobs[3]. For all occupations, projected growth is 3.5%[34]. These counts include self-employed workers[3].
About 800 openings a year are projected on average[6]. Openings include jobs that come open when workers retire or move to other occupations, not only new jobs[6]. Each year, 1.3% of workers leave the labor force and 3% move to a different occupation[35].
Is it a good fit?
The facts describe a job with a median wage well above the all-occupations median ($87,220 against $50,980)[1][5]. Entry typically calls for a master's degree[2]. Projected growth of 18.7% is far above the 3.5% for all occupations[3][34]. The work is mostly office and lab based, with some field work and occasional irregular hours[29][33]. Pay differs by place, from $115,890 in Massachusetts to $56,930 in Mississippi[12].
Frequently asked questions
- How much does an epidemiologist make an hour?
- The median was $41.93 an hour in May 2025, and the average was $47.06[1][7].
- What degree do you need to be an epidemiologist?
- A master's degree is the typical entry education[2]. A master's in public health is common[18].
- Is epidemiology in demand?
- BLS projects 18.7% growth from 2025 to 2035, compared with 3.5% for all occupations, and about 800 openings a year[3][34][6].
- What is the highest paying state for epidemiologists?
- Massachusetts had the highest median annual wage, $115,890, followed by the District of Columbia at $112,370[12].
Facts and sources
- BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median wage for Epidemiologists in the US was $87,220 per year and $41.93 per hour. Half of workers earned more and half earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS Employment Projections, typical path into Epidemiologists: education needed for entry: Master's degree; work experience in a related occupation: None; typical on-the-job training: None. BLS Employment Projections
- BLS Employment Projections: employment of Epidemiologists is projected to grow 18.7% from 2025 to 2035, from about 12,800 to 15,200 jobs (a change of +2,400). These counts include self-employed workers. BLS Employment Projections
- BLS OEWS, May 2025, annual wage percentiles for Epidemiologists: 10th percentile $61,270, 25th percentile $71,090, 75th percentile $112,640, 90th percentile $138,800. The 10th percentile means 10% of workers earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median annual wage for all occupations in the US was $50,980. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS Employment Projections: about 800 openings for Epidemiologists are projected each year, on average, from 2025 to 2035. Openings include jobs that open when workers retire or move to other occupations, not only new jobs. BLS Employment Projections
- BLS OEWS, May 2025: the mean (average) wage for Epidemiologists was $97,890 per year and $47.06 per hour. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025, hourly wage percentiles for Epidemiologists: 10th percentile $29.46, 25th percentile $34.18, 75th percentile $54.15, 90th percentile $66.73. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS FAQ: a percentile wage is a boundary. The median (50th percentile) separates the highest-paid 50% from the lowest-paid 50% of workers in the occupation. OEWS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS FAQ: OEWS covers part-time and full-time workers paid a wage or salary. It does not cover the self-employed, owners and partners in unincorporated firms, household workers or unpaid family workers. OEWS wages do not include nonproduction bonuses or employer costs of benefits such as health insurance or retirement contributions. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025: about 12,090 people were employed as Epidemiologists in the US (wage and salary jobs, not counting self-employed workers). BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Median annual wage for Epidemiologists in every state with published data, May 2025 (table on this page). BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025, states with the most Epidemiologists jobs: California 1,480; Texas 1,160; Washington 1,010; New York 670; Massachusetts 660. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the highest median annual wage for Epidemiologists (areas with at least 100 jobs): San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $130,400; San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA $125,320; Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $123,970; Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH $115,890; Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV $112,780; Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA $111,960; Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA $108,240; Trenton-Princeton, NJ $105,930. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the most Epidemiologists jobs: Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH 620 (median $115,890); Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA 580 (median $123,970); New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ 400 (median $98,340); Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA 380 (median $105,400); Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV 380 (median $112,780); Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA 370 (median $70,880). BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- O*NET 19-1041.00 survey of workers (18 respondents), education level they say is required: Master's Degree 67%, Post-Doctoral Training 22%, Doctoral Degree 11% (levels under 5% not listed). O*NET OnLine
- O*NET description of Epidemiologists. O*NET OnLine
- O*NET task list for Epidemiologists. O*NET OnLine
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, largest employers of epidemiologists in 2025: State government, excluding education and hospitals 33%. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Work Schedules. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- BLS Employment Projections: employment in all occupations is projected to grow 3.5% from 2025 to 2035. BLS Employment Projections
- BLS Employment Projections, 2025-35 annual average for Epidemiologists: 1.3% of workers leave the labor force each year and 3% move to a different occupation. BLS Employment Projections
- Related occupations (O*NET) with BLS pay, growth and entry education. O*NET OnLine
This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerFacts has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.