All About Epidemiologists
Career Description Investigate and describe the determinants and distribution of disease, disability, or health outcomes. May develop the means for prevention and control.
Life As an Epidemiologist
- Identify and analyze public health issues related to foodborne parasitic diseases and their impact on public policies, scientific studies, or surveys.
- Educate healthcare workers, patients, and the public about infectious and communicable diseases, including disease transmission and prevention.
- Teach principles of medicine and medical and laboratory procedures to physicians, residents, students, and technicians.
- Investigate diseases or parasites to determine cause and risk factors, progress, life cycle, or mode of transmission.
- Prepare and analyze samples to study effects of drugs, gases, pesticides, or microorganisms on cell structure and tissue.
- Supervise professional, technical, and clerical personnel.
Featured schools near , edit
Epidemiologist Needed Skills
Epidemiologists state the following job skills are important in their day-to-day work.
Science: Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems.
Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Active Learning: Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Judgment and Decision Making: Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Other Epidemiologist Job Titles
- Clinical Laboratory Scientist
- Research Epidemiologist
- Infection Control Practitioner (ICP)
- Environmental Epidemiologist
- Public Health Microbiologist
Is There Going to be Demand for Epidemiologists?
In 2016, there was an estimated number of 6,100 jobs in the United States for Epidemiologist. New jobs are being produced at a rate of 8.2% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 500 new jobs for Epidemiologist by 2026. Due to new job openings and attrition, there will be an average of 600 job openings in this field each year.
The states with the most job growth for Epidemiologist are South Carolina, Florida, and Nebraska. Watch out if you plan on working in Virginia, Oregon, or Oklahoma. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
Average Epidemiologists Salary
The salary for Epidemiologists ranges between about $42,240 and $112,600 a year.
Epidemiologists who work in New Jersey, District of Columbia, or Massachusetts, make the highest salaries.
Below is a list of the median annual salaries for Epidemiologists in different U.S. states.
State | Annual Mean Salary |
---|---|
Arizona | $59,650 |
Arkansas | $62,890 |
California | $92,040 |
Colorado | $60,550 |
Connecticut | $86,250 |
District of Columbia | $106,740 |
Florida | $44,350 |
Georgia | $64,160 |
Illinois | $84,810 |
Indiana | $74,640 |
Kansas | $63,820 |
Kentucky | $53,560 |
Louisiana | $54,620 |
Maryland | $77,330 |
Massachusetts | $107,670 |
Michigan | $72,820 |
Minnesota | $71,870 |
Missouri | $61,110 |
Montana | $66,360 |
New Jersey | $94,450 |
New Mexico | $67,130 |
New York | $91,880 |
North Carolina | $82,820 |
Ohio | $69,680 |
Oklahoma | $68,530 |
Oregon | $71,470 |
Pennsylvania | $79,690 |
Tennessee | $84,560 |
Texas | $71,320 |
Virginia | $67,110 |
Washington | $102,490 |
West Virginia | $51,910 |
Wisconsin | $78,250 |
What Tools do Epidemiologists Use?
Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Epidemiologists:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Outlook
- Web browser software
- Microsoft Access
- Word processing software
- Data visualization software
- Structured query language SQL
- Database software
- SAS
- IBM SPSS Statistics
- R
- Geographic information system GIS software
- Tableau
- StataCorp Stata
- ESRI ArcView
- ESRI ArcInfo
Becoming an Epidemiologist
Are there Epidemiologists education requirements?
How many years of work experience do I need?
Where do Epidemiologists Work?
Epidemiologists work in the following industries:
You May Also Be Interested In…
Those interested in being an Epidemiologist may also be interested in:
Those who work as an Epidemiologist sometimes switch careers to one of these choices:
References:
Image Credit: Ernst Haeckel via public domain
More about our data sources and methodologies.
Featured Schools
Request Info | Southern New Hampshire University You have goals. Southern New Hampshire University can help you get there. Whether you need a bachelor's degree to get into a career or want a master's degree to move up in your current career, SNHU has an online program for you. Find your degree from over 200 online programs. Learn More > |