Public Health Job Outlook
Find out what to expect in the future for public health jobs.
What to Expect in a Public Health Career
The term "public health" is a large umbrella that covers careers from statistician to social worker. So it's no surprise that public health careers appeal to a wide range of people with diverse skills, interests and backgrounds.
The variety of jobs available makes public health a good fit for many students who seek to use their abilities and passions for the public good. However, it can also provide a challenge when attempting to take the pulse of the public health industry as a whole. Graduates with Master of Public Health (MPH) degrees qualify for any number of jobs, including the following:
Biomedical statistician Industrial waste director Chronic disease epidemiologist Infection control officer Clinical trials analyst Infectious disease epidemiologist Director of environmental health Project manager Director of epidemiology program Public health officer Director of industrial hygiene Radiation safety specialist Director of municipal water treatment plant Survey statistician Director of operations / Planned Parenthood affiliate Water quality investigator Genetics data analyst
Across this broad spectrum of job titles, public health career opportunities are growing. At the same time, an increasing number of students are seeking public health degrees as more people recognize the value and contribution of public health to improving our quality of life.
Statistics for Public Health Career Specialties
To understand the job market you'll face upon graduation, you'll need to learn about the trends in your chosen public health career path. The information below summarizes the Bureau of Labor Statistics's data and projections for many of the common specialty areas in public health:
Health Educators – Overall, job opportunities are increasing at a rate of 26 percent. The main opportunities for public health educators are found in state and local public health departments.
Medical Scientists – Epidemiologist careers, while often competitive, are currently growing at a rate of 20 percent, which is faster than average. Epidemiologists will find job opportunities working for the government, hospitals, colleges and universities, and research and development facilities.
Social Workers – In their efforts to bring health services to neglected populations, public health social workers will find job openings in hospitals, nursing facilities, individual and family service agencies, and the government.
Statisticians – For biostatisticians, the thriving pharmaceutical industry bodes well for continued job security and growth. Other areas where many professional statisticians found employment include federal, state and local government; colleges and universities; and insurance companies.
Browse our directory of public health schools, and request more information, today.
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.
Did You Know?
- National Public Health Week is celebrated each year in early April.
- The World Health Organization, the international public health organization run by the United Nations, was founded on April 7, 1948.