What is an Epidemiologist?
Job Description & Duties Investigate and describe the determinants and distribution of disease, disability, or health outcomes. May develop the means for prevention and control.
Daily Life Of an Epidemiologist
- Monitor and report incidents of infectious diseases to local and state health agencies.
- Identify and analyze public health issues related to foodborne parasitic diseases and their impact on public policies, scientific studies, or surveys.
- Standardize drug dosages, methods of immunization, and procedures for manufacture of drugs and medicinal compounds.
- Educate healthcare workers, patients, and the public about infectious and communicable diseases, including disease transmission and prevention.
- Supervise professional, technical, and clerical personnel.
- Oversee public health programs, including statistical analysis, health care planning, surveillance systems, and public health improvement.
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What an Epidemiologist Should Know
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.
Related Job Titles
- State Epidemiologist
- Nurse Epidemiologist
- Clinical Researcher
- Infection Control Practitioner (ICP)
- Epidemiology Investigator
Job Outlook for Epidemiologists
There were about 6,100 jobs for Epidemiologist in 2016 (in the United States). 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
Epidemiologists make between $42,240 and $112,600 a year.
Epidemiologists who work in New Jersey, District of Columbia, or Massachusetts, make the highest salaries.
How much do Epidemiologists make in each U.S. state?
| 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?
Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Epidemiologists may use on a daily basis:
- 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
How do I Become an Epidemiologist?
Education needed to be an Epidemiologist:
What work experience do I need to become an Epidemiologist?
Where Epidemiologists Are Employed
The table below shows some of the most common industries where those employed in this career field work.
Related Careers
Those thinking about becoming an Epidemiologist might also be interested in the following careers:
Career changers with experience as an Epidemiologist sometimes find work in one of the following fields:
References:
Image Credit: Ernst Haeckel via public domain
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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