What is an Epidemiologist?
Career Description Investigate and describe the determinants and distribution of disease, disability, or health outcomes. May develop the means for prevention and control.
List of Epidemiologist Job Duties
- Educate healthcare workers, patients, and the public about infectious and communicable diseases, including disease transmission and prevention.
- Plan, administer and evaluate health safety standards and programs to improve public health, conferring with health department, industry personnel, physicians, and others.
- Investigate diseases or parasites to determine cause and risk factors, progress, life cycle, or mode of transmission.
- Communicate research findings on various types of diseases to health practitioners, policy makers, and the public.
- Provide expertise in the design, management and evaluation of study protocols and health status questionnaires, sample selection, and analysis.
- Standardize drug dosages, methods of immunization, and procedures for manufacture of drugs and medicinal compounds.
Epidemiologist Required Skills
These are the skills Epidemiologists say are the most useful in their careers:
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.
Types of Epidemiologist Jobs
- Epidemiology Investigator
- Epidemiologist
- Environmental Epidemiologist
- Communicable Disease Specialist
- Infectious Disease Specialist
Job Opportunities 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.
How Much Does an Epidemiologist Make?
The average yearly salary of an Epidemiologist ranges between $42,240 and $112,600.
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 |
Tools & Technologies Used by Epidemiologists
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 to Become an Epidemiologist
Learn what Epidemiologist education requirements there are.
How many years of work experience do I need?
Where do Epidemiologists Work?
The table below shows some of the most common industries where those employed in this career field work.
You May Also Be Interested In…
Those interested in being an Epidemiologist may also be interested in:
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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