7 Jobs in Public Health (+ How to Get Started)

Public health concerns the population's health, especially regarding government regulation and support. This career path involves hygiene, epidemiology, and disease prevention decisions. Unsurprisingly, the COVID-19 pandemic heightened awareness of the important role that public health professionals play in fostering a safe and healthy society. 

Public health differs from other health careers in that it focuses on protecting and promoting health in populations rather than diagnosing and treating individual patients. You can find jobs in various settings, including the NHS and other public organisations, private companies and consultancy firms, and charities and social enterprises.

Why pursue a career in public health?

Some people are drawn to public health for reasons other than just money. They might pursue this career to help address health regulations and policies at a broader level and positively impact local or global governance. The pandemic highlighted the importance of health education and preventative health measures, exposing inequities and flaws in these systems.

In education, public health is commonly offered as a master’s in public health (MPH), which can lead to many public health careers. Having a master’s can boost your salary and allow you to pursue advanced job opportunities.

Job outlook

Jobs in healthcare are expected to increase as the COVID pandemic has resulted in staffing demand reaching its highest level. The Recruitment and Employment Confederation’s November 2022 report states healthcare jobs increased by 2.02 percent, the largest increase among all sectors [1].

7 emerging public health careers

There are many potential roles in this rewarding career path. Here are some emerging public health careers to choose from. The salary information below is for occupations based in the UK.

1. Epidemiologist

Epidemiologists investigate patterns and causes of diseases, injuries, and disorders in society. They work to reduce their occurrence and risk with research, education, and health policy, so they might work in governments, in the private sector with health insurance or pharmaceutical companies, or non-profit organisations. Epidemiologists typically specialise in 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 salary: £40,997 [2]. 

• Career prospects: Epidemiologists work for national, international, public, private organisations such as the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and Health and Safety Executive (HSE).  

• Typical requirements: A master’s degree or PhD in epidemiology or a related subject is typically required. At the least, a master’s degree in public health or a related field is required. Some jobs might require a doctorate degree in epidemiology or medicine.

2. Health and safety advisor

As a health and safety advisor, you’ll collect data and analyse different workplace environments to ensure 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 is organised and enjoys routines, rule enforcement, and interacting with others.

• Median salary: £35,425 [3]

• Career prospects: Jobs are available in the industrial sector and government.

• Typical requirements: Most jobs require a postgraduate degree and may require certificates such as the Level 3 Certificate in Occupational Safety and Health.

3. Environmental health practitioner

An environmental health practitioner (EHP) develops, implements, and enforces health policies to maintain and safeguard people's health and well-being standards. The role may involve liaising with council departments and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). 

• Median salary:  £32,049 [4]

• Career prospects: There are many opportunities within government departments such as the Environmental Agency (EA) and Food Standards Agency. 

• Typical requirements: An honours degree or master's in environmental health from a university accredited by the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH) is typically required.

4. Biostatistician

A biostatistician is driven to answer pressing public health and medicine questions using statistical analysis. They 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. They design clinical trials to evaluate drug or patient outcomes using data like disease rates or genetic information. If you enjoy applying statistics and maths to global health, this can be lucrative.

• Median salary: £44,275 [5] 

• Career prospects: Biostatisticians are hired by government agencies and universities, and the Office of National Statistics is a major employer.  

• Typical requirements: A bachelor’s degree is minimal, while master’s and doctorate degrees are often required.

5. Healthcare consultant 

Healthcare consultants are a specialised version of management consultants or business analysts, hired by healthcare organisations 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 salary: £34,014 [6] 

• Career prospects: Government and private healthcare institutions are the primary employers of healthcare consultants.

• Typical requirements: A bachelor’s degree is required for entry-level positions, while an MBA will help accelerate your career.

6. Social and community service manager

Social and community service managers typically oversee teams that provide public services, so those specialising in public or global health would be involved in health advocacy. You’ll be involved in managing projects and designing 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 salary: £42,172 [7] 

• Career prospects: Jobs are available for social and community service managers in government and private medical facilities.

• Typical requirements: A bachelor’s degree is required, and a master’s degree may be preferred by some employers.

7. Health improvement practitioner 

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

• Median salary: £29,945 [8]

• Career prospects: The main employer of health improvement practitioners in the UK is the NHS, but other common employers include charities, healthy living centres, and charitable organisations. 

• Typical requirements: A bachelor’s degree is not required but is helpful. For those with a foundation degree, a one-year top-up programme can be taken to qualify for a position. A postgraduate degree may be required for senior-level positions.

Explore public health with Coursera.

Earn a master’s degree in public health to fast-track your career addressing the world’s greatest health challenges. Choose from the Master of Public Health from the University of Michigan, the #2 public school of public health, or the Global Master of Public Health from Imperial College London, one of the world’s top 10 universities.