How to Become an Epidemiologist
Track how disease spreads through populations and use that evidence to design the public health response. It typically requires a master's degree, with a median salary of $87,220 per year and much faster than average projected job growth.
Median pay
$87,220/yr
Middle half
$71,090 to $112,640
Job growth
Much faster than average
Openings / yr
800
Majors that lead here
Key skills
- Study Design
- Biostatistics
- Data Analysis
- Critical Thinking
- Science Communication
Helpful certifications
- MPH (Master of Public Health)
- CPH (Certified in Public Health)
Is this career a fit?
Remote-friendly
67/100
Work-life balance
60/100
Stress level
44/100
Frequently asked questions
How much does an Epidemiologist make?
The median pay for an Epidemiologist is $87,220 a year, and the middle half of workers earn between $71,090 and $112,640 (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2025). That covers everyone in the job, not only people starting out, so newer workers sit toward the lower end.
What degree do you need to become an Epidemiologist?
The usual entry point is a master's degree. Common majors are Public Health, Epidemiology, Biology, and Statistics.
Is Epidemiologist a growing field?
Projected job growth for this role from 2024 to 2034 is much faster than average (BLS projections via O*NET), with roughly 800 U.S. openings a year.
What skills does an Epidemiologist use most?
Common skills for this role are Study Design, Biostatistics, Data Analysis, Critical Thinking, and Science Communication.
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Take the major quizWhere these pay figures come from
Career pay is the annual wage of everyone working in that occupation, not only recent graduates, so it includes people who have done the job for decades. The middle half is the 25th to the 75th percentile. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and O*NET OnLine (median and percentile annual wages May 2025; employment projections 2024-2034).
All figures are national. What you earn depends on where you work, who you work for, and how far you take the degree.
Job-growth figures: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and O*NET OnLine (median and percentile annual wages May 2025; employment projections 2024-2034).