What is a Master in Public Health Salary Like?
Find out what kind of salaries you can expect in public health careers.
Salaries for Public Health Careers
Most people want to come home from their job each night knowing they've had a positive impact on the world around them. For professionals with public health careers, this is more than a pie-in-the-sky fantasy. Whether they work in the laboratory, the classroom or the field; crunch numbers; teach about neonatal health care; or track down the causes of disease, public health professionals help whole communities improve their health and quality of life.
It's no mystery that personal fulfillment plays an important role in overall job satisfaction. The good news for individuals aspiring to careers in public health is that many jobs in this field offer attractive salaries in addition to the non-monetary rewards.
Average Salaries for Public Health Careers
According to the Association of Schools of Public Health, these are the typical salary ranges in the most common public health career fields:
| Specialty | Salary Range |
|---|---|
| Biomedical Laboratory | $31,500 – $78,750 |
| Biostatistics | $33,000 – $63,000 |
| Environmental Health | $44,550 – $143,700 |
| Epidemiology | $38,175 – $136,237 |
| Health Education/Behavioral Science | $33,000 – $86,625 |
| Health Services Administration | $37,050 – $161,400 |
| International Health | $31,500 – $86,625 |
| Nutrition | $31,500 – $70,875 |
| Public Health Practice/Program Management | $41,175 – $102,000 |
Factors That Can Boost Your Public Health Salary
With such a wide range of salaries in many public health careers, how can you make sure that you are on the higher end of the earnings spectrum? While not all of the factors affecting your earning potential are in your immediate control, there are many things you can do to increase your public health salary:
- Work in a geographic area where salaries are higher
- Gain more job experience
- Seek higher education
- Choose a higher paying specialty
- Learn more about different types of employers
Reaping the Rewards of a Public Health Career
When you start a career in public health, you don't have to choose between personal satisfaction and monetary compensation. Learn more about the different public health jobs available to you, and request information about public health degrees from schools that interest you.
Education & Career Guide
Public Health Job Description
Learn about the wide variety of public health jobs.
Choose a Degree
Which public health degree is right for you? Find out.
Job Outlook
Read about the future of the public health field.
Salary Information
Find out what to expect in a public health career salary.
Getting Your Degree Online
Discover the benefits of earning a public health degree online.
Health and Safety Achievements
Read about the top 10 achievements in public health in the 20th century.
Public Health Nursing
Combine your interest in public health with a nursing career.
History of the U.S. Public Health Service
Learn how public health service started in the U.S.
News & Headlines
Find out how public health jobs relate to real-world events.
Public Health Career Tip
Joining a professional association can be a great way to network with other professionals in your field, establish connections with potential employers and keep up with trends in the industry.
The American Public Health Association (APHA) is a great resource for public health career professionals. More than 50 different public health specialties are represented by APHA's roughly 30,000 individual members and 20,000 state and local affiliate members. Membership in a community like this can give your public health career a boost.