7 Public Health Careers (+ How to Get Started)

Public health is a discipline concerned with the health of the population, especially as it pertains to government regulation and support. This career path involves making decisions around hygiene, epidemiology, and disease prevention. The COVID-19 pandemic heightened awareness of the important role that public health professionals play in fostering a safe and healthy society. 

Overall, jobs in health care expect an increase in growth of 1.9 million jobs each year from 2023 to 2033 [1]. Public health differs from other health careers in that it focuses on protecting and promoting health in populations rather than on diagnosing and treating individual patients. 

Discover more about public health, the salary and job outlook, and some careers in the field. You can start by watching this video about the 10 essential public health services:

Why pursue a career in public health?

You might pursue this career to help address health regulations and policies at a broader level and have a positive impact on local or global governance. The pandemic highlighted the importance of health education and preventative health measures, exposing inequities and flaws in these systems.

Although some professionals enter the workforce after earning a bachelor's degree in public health, many continue their education and earn a master’s in public health (MPH), which can lead to many types of public health careers. Having a master’s degree can give you a boost in salary and an opportunity to pursue advanced job opportunities.

Salary of public health professionals

The average annual base pay for a public health analyst, according to Glassdoor’s November 2024 data, is $93,150, with salaries ranging from $83,000 to $146,000 [2]. Those in administrative and managerial positions have the potential to earn even more. 

Is public health a good career path?

With high salaries and an increase in the workforce every year, public health remains a solid career path with high job retention and advancement opportunities in both public and private positions. The increase in public health technologies and investment in mental and environmental health also open up new job opportunities in the field. 

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) [3]. The salary information below is for occupations based in the US.

1. Medical and health services manager

Median annual salary (BLS.gov): $110,680 [4]

Projected growth from 2023 to 2033: 29 percent [4] 

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

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.

2. Biostatistician

Median annual salary (BLS.gov): $104,860 [5]

Projected growth from 2023 to 2033: 11 percent [5] 

Requirements: Bachelor’s degree at minimum, often a master’s and doctorate

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.

3. Health care consultant 

Median annual salary (BLS.gov): $99,410 [6]

Projected growth from 2023 to 2033: 11 percent [6] 

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

Health care consultants are a specialized version of management consultants or business analysts hired by health care organizations to focus on examining 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.

4. Epidemiologist

Median annual salary (BLS.gov): $81,390 [7]

Projected growth from 2023 to 2033: 19 percent [7]

Requirements: At least a master’s degree in public health or related field, in addition to a bachelor’s degree. Some jobs might require a doctorate’s degree in epidemiology or medicine

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 in 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.

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

5. Occupational health and safety specialist

Median annual salary (BLS.gov): $77,580 [8]

Projected growth from 2023 to 2033: 14 percent [8]

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

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 who has organizing skills, enjoys routines, enforcing rules, and interacting with others.

6. Social and community service manager

Median annual salary (BLS.gov): $77,030 [9]

Projected growth from 2023 to 2033: 8 percent [9]

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

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.

7. Health education specialist

Median annual salary (BLS.gov): $62,860  [10]

Projected growth from 2023 to 2033: 7 percent [10] 

Requirements: Bachelor’s degree in health education or related field

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.

Where public health professionals work

Several work environments employ public health workers. Some common workplaces include:

• Global health organizations

• Federal, state, and local government agencies

• Community organizations

• Colleges and universities

• Hospitals and traditional medical facilities

• Nonprofit organizations

• Private companies

Explore public health with Coursera

A range of careers in public health exist all with a higher than average job outlook. Earn a master’s degree in public health to fast-track your career in addressing the world’s biggest health challenges. Check out the Master of Public Health from the University of Michigan, the number two public school of public health.