Epidemiologist Salary: What You Can Earn and How to Qualify

Written by Coursera Staff • Updated on

Explore epidemiologist qualifications, salary averages, and earnings while working for government or private companies.

[Featured Image]: Epidemiologist, wearing a dark blue uniform, is sitting in a lab room, working on a laptop computer, reviewing and analyzing information on a human disease outbreak.

Key takeaways

Epidemiologists earn above-average salaries in the United States. Below are some important facts to know:

  • The annual median salary for epidemiologists is $83,980, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics [1].

  • A master’s degree is usually the minimum educational requirement to become an epidemiologist.

  • You can gain the relevant work experience needed to become an epidemiologist through internships, residencies, or full-time employment. 

Learn more about how to become an epidemiologist, including job duties, certifications, and average pay for epidemiologists. Afterward, if you’re ready to develop your foundational knowledge of epidemiology, enroll in the Epidemiology in Public Health Practice Specialization. Offered by Johns Hopkins University, this Specialization offers guidance on analyzing public health surveillance data, investigating disease outbreaks and epidemics, assessing the health of the population, and more.

What is an epidemiologist?

Epidemiologists are health professionals who study human diseases and disease outbreaks and how they spread. They use the information to find ways to treat the disease and stop its spread. An epidemiologist also:

  • Studies the causes of diseases and other health threats

  • Collects and analyzes data related to public health

  • Researches disease trends in specific demographics

  • Supervises other health care professionals

What is the salary of an epidemiologist?

According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median annual salary for epidemiologists is $83,980 [1]. Those in the lowest 10 percent of earnings earn less than $56,950, while the highest 10 percent earn more than $134,860 [1].

Factors affecting epidemiologist salary

As you can see, the salary you can earn as an epidemiologist has quite a range. Several factors influence what your salary could be. These often include your level of education, the certifications you hold, and how many years of experience you have as an epidemiologist. The employer you work for, the industry it is in, and its location can also affect your salary.

Education and specialty

A master’s degree is usually the minimum educational requirement to become an epidemiologist. Some epidemiologists hold doctorate degrees, which typically qualify you for a higher salary. During your academic training, you can specialize in a specific area of epidemiology, affecting the coursework you'll take, whether or not you'll need a doctorate, and your salary.

Types of epidemiologists

Take a look at some of the types of epidemiologists and the median annual salary for each:

• Infection control epidemiologist: $118,000 [2]

• Chronic disease epidemiologist: $94,000 [3]

• Research epidemiologist: $148,000 [4]

• Epidemiology investigator: $79,000 [5]

• Clinical epidemiologist: $131,000 [6]

All salary information represents the median total pay from Glassdoor as of May 2026. These figures include base salary and additional pay, which may represent profit-sharing, commissions, bonuses, or other compensation.

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

Certifications

A career in epidemiology does not require certification or licensing. However, receiving optional certificates can often increase your chances of new positions or with employers that offer a higher salary. The Certification Board of Infection Control and Epidemiology (CBIC) and the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC) offer certifications. 

In addition, epidemiologists in clinical and academic roles can apply for licensing or certification with the American Medical Association (AMA).

Level of experience

Many epidemiologist positions require the applicant to have work experience. This can be through completing an internship, residency, or employment. An epidemiologist’s salary can range from $76,000 to $119,000, depending on experience [7]:

  • 0–1 year: $76,000

  • 1–3 years: $83,000

  • 4–6 years: $93,000

  • 7–9 years: $95,000

  • 10–14 years: $101,000

  • 15+ years: $119,000

All salary information represents the median total pay from Glassdoor as of May 2026. These figures include base salary and additional pay, which may represent profit-sharing, commissions, bonuses, or other compensation.

Some entry-level positions may be available with a bachelor’s degree, but a master’s degree is often the minimum required.

Employer and industry

The industry you choose to work in is an important factor affecting epidemiologist pay. Epidemiologists who work for private corporations and services can make significantly more than those who work for state and local governments, based on median annual salary data collected by the BLS [1]:

  • Scientific research and development services: $130,390

  • State, local, and private hospitals: $99,690

  • Colleges, universities, and professional schools: $80,640

  • State government: $79,640

  • Local government: $76,180

According to the BLS, state governments account for 34 percent of epidemiologist positions, and local governments account for 22 percent of positions as of 2024 [8]. These do not include education and hospital positions. 

State, local, and private hospitals employ 10 percent of epidemiologists; colleges, universities, and professional schools employ 5 percent. Scientific research and development account for 5 percent of epidemiological positions [8].

According to Glassdoor, some of the top employers hiring epidemiologists are the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), CDC Foundation, and state-level public health departments as of May 2026 [9].

Location

According to the BLS, the states with the highest salaries for epidemiologists are Wisconsin, with an annual mean wage of $121,150, followed by Massachusetts, with an annual mean wage of $114,300, and Washington, with an annual mean wage of $113,790 [10].

North Carolina and New Jersey have annual mean wages of $110,410 and $108,790, respectively [10].

How to become an epidemiologist

As an epidemiologist, you’ll benefit from attending workshops and joining professional organizations to keep current with changes and emerging public health threats. You can complete a PhD program in your desired field if you seek career advancement. You’ll also want to keep current with the studies, publications, and training manuals. If you decide to pursue certification or licensure, keep your credentials current by meeting the requirements regularly.

Is a degree in epidemiology worth it?

Yes, a degree in epidemiology can prepare you for a rewarding career in a growing field. The BLS projects epidemiology to grow at a faster-than-average rate of 16 percent between 2024 and 2034 [11]. Additionally, earning your epidemiology degree prepares you to work across industries in various roles, helping to prevent disease, promote public health, and protect your community.

Check out our free resources for epidemiologists

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Article sources

1. 

US Bureau of Labor Statistics. “Epidemiologists – Pay: Occupational Outlook Handbook, www.bls.gov/ooh/life-physical-and-social-science/epidemiologists.htm#tab-5." Accessed May 26, 2026.

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