Epidemiologists

SOC: 19-1041 O*NET: 19-1041.00
Median Salary
$83,980
per year
Job Growth
🚀 16.2%
Much Faster (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
0.8
projected jobs/year
Education Level
Bachelor's degree plus work experience, or graduate degree
Job Zone 5

Investigate and describe the determinants and distribution of disease, disability, or health outcomes. May develop the means for prevention and control.

What does a Epidemiologists do?

Investigate and describe the determinants and distribution of disease, disability, or health outcomes. May develop the means for prevention and control.

How much can you earn?

Entry Level
$56,950
10th percentile
Early Career
$68,040
25th percentile
Median
$83,980
50th percentile
Experienced
$106,040
75th percentile
Top Earners
$134,860
90th percentile

National Salary Distribution

10th
$56,950
25th
$68,040
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$83,980
Mean: $94,160
75th
$106,040
90th
$134,860
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)

Key Insights

  • Salary range spans $77,910 from entry level to top earners
  • Middle 50% earn between $68,040 and $106,040
  • Salary spread is 45.2% around the median, showing high variation
  • Total national employment: 11,460 professionals

What's the job outlook?

Job Market Intelligence

Very High Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk

Current Employment

National Employment:12,300

Top Industries

Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services10.2%
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services10.2%
Hospitals8.7%

10-Year Outlook

Growth Rate:+16.2%
Annual Openings:800

Employment Projections

2024 (Current)12,300
Current
2034 (Projected)14,300
+16.2%
+2,000
Employment Change
+16.2%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection

Growth Category: Much faster than average

Geographic Salary & Employment Data

Explore where Epidemiologists professionals work across the United States

Showing 15 of 42 locations
California
1,590 jobs$100,4101.18x
Washington
960 jobs$99,9303.65x
Texas
940 jobs$76,4200.91x
Colorado
620 jobs$73,3402.87x
Georgia
610 jobs$68,1601.69x
Massachusetts
470 jobs$104,9201.74x
New York
460 jobs$89,7000.65x
Maryland
440 jobs$94,4602.14x
Pennsylvania
400 jobs$83,8000.91x
Florida
330 jobs$76,3000.46x
Arizona
290 jobs$69,3001.23x
Ohio
270 jobs$72,9500.67x
Minnesota
260 jobs$99,3601.21x
Michigan
260 jobs$81,6800.80x
Tennessee
240 jobs$96,9100.98x

Understanding the Data

Location Quotient (LQ):

  • LQ > 1.0: More jobs than national average
  • LQ = 1.0: Same as national average
  • LQ < 1.0: Fewer jobs than national average

Data Source:

Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024

Key Growth Factors

  • Much faster than average growth expected
  • High current market demand

What skills do you need?

Top 10 Most Important Skills

#1
Complex Problem Solving
100%
#2
Reading Comprehension
94%
#3
Judgment and Decision Making
86%
#4
Critical Thinking
80%
#5
Writing
74%
#6
Speaking
66%
#7
Active Listening
60%
#8
Science
54%
#9
Active Learning
46%
#10
Systems Evaluation
40%

Skills Overview

Complex Problem Solving
advanced5.0
100%
Reading Comprehension
advanced4.7
94%
Judgment and Decision Making
intermediate4.3
86%
Critical Thinking
intermediate4.0
80%
Writing
intermediate3.7
74%
Speaking
intermediate3.3
66%
Active Listening
intermediate3.0
60%
Science
basic2.7
54%

Skills are rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being the most important. The complexity level indicates how advanced the skill typically needs to be.

Filter:
Sort by:

Complex Problem Solving

advanced
Importance100%
abilities
5.0/5.0

Reading Comprehension

advanced
Importance94%
abilities
4.7/5.0

Judgment and Decision Making

intermediate
Importance86%
abilities
4.3/5.0

Critical Thinking

intermediate
Importance80%
abilities
4.0/5.0

Writing

intermediate
Importance74%
skills
3.7/5.0

Speaking

intermediate
Importance66%
skills
3.3/5.0

Active Listening

intermediate
Importance60%
skills
3.0/5.0

Science

basic
Importance54%
abilities
2.7/5.0

Active Learning

basic
Importance46%
abilities
2.3/5.0

Systems Evaluation

basic
Importance40%
skills
2.0/5.0

Highly Transferable Skills

These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:

Food Scientists and Technologists100%
5 shared skills
Soil and Plant Scientists100%
5 shared skills
Animal Scientists82%
5 shared skills
Atmospheric and Space Scientists82%
5 shared skills
Biochemists and Biophysicists82%
5 shared skills
Molecular and Cellular Biologists82%
5 shared skills

Skills by Career Stage

Entry Level

Learn on the Job:
  • Speaking
  • Active Listening
  • Science

Mid Career

Expected:
  • Complex Problem Solving
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Judgment and Decision Making
  • Critical Thinking

Senior Level

Mastery Required:
  • Complex Problem Solving
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Judgment and Decision Making
  • Critical Thinking
  • Writing

Skill Development Tips

  • Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
  • Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
  • Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
  • Entry-level positions prioritize foundational skills that can be built upon over time

What technology will you use?

Technology & Digital Skills

Essential technology proficiencies for Epidemiologists

Technology Intensity
Very High

Digital Literacy Requirements

This career requires expert digital literacy

1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert

Key Digital Competencies:

Advanced software proficiencySystem architecture understandingAutomation and scriptingEmerging technology adaptationTechnical problem-solving
🔥

Hot Technologies in Demand

These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field

IBM SPSS Statistics

🔥 Hot Tech

SAS

🔥 Hot Tech

Tableau

🔥 Hot Tech

Microsoft Access

🔥 Hot Tech

Structured query language SQL

🔥 Hot Tech

Microsoft Outlook

🔥 Hot Tech

ESRI ArcGIS software

🔥 Hot Tech

Python

🔥 Hot Tech

R

🔥 Hot Tech

Microsoft Office software

🔥 Hot Tech

Microsoft PowerPoint

🔥 Hot Tech

Microsoft Excel

🔥 Hot Tech

Technology Stack

Technology Stack Overview

Key technologies used in this career

IBM SPSS Statistics
SAS
Tableau
Microsoft Access
Structured query language SQL
Microsoft Outlook
ESRI ArcGIS software
Python
R
Microsoft Office software
Microsoft PowerPoint
Microsoft Excel

📚 Technology Learning Resources

Recommended Certifications

  • Vendor-specific software certifications
  • Industry-recognized technology credentials
  • Professional development courses

Online Learning Platforms

  • LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
  • Coursera - University-level programs
  • Udemy - Practical skills training

💡 Technology Skill Development Tips

  • Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
  • Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
  • Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
  • Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers

What's the work environment like?

🏢
Location
MOSTLY INDOOR
💪
Physical Demand
MODERATE
👥
Team Orientation
MOSTLY TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
OCCASIONAL

💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?

Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:

  • Are you comfortable working in mostly indoor environments?
  • Can you meet moderate physical demands?
  • Do you enjoy mostly team team environments?
  • Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?

What are the key tasks?

Tasks & Responsibilities

16
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
Planning & Development (5)General Responsibilities (6)Management & Supervision (1)Analysis & Evaluation (2)Training & Development (1)Communication & Coordination (1)
1

Oversee public health programs, including statistical analysis, health care planning, surveillance systems, and public health improvement.

🔴
Daily
Importance:
100%
Planning & Development100% perform
2

Investigate diseases or parasites to determine cause and risk factors, progress, life cycle, or mode of transmission.

🔴
Daily
Importance:
98%
General Responsibilities97% perform
3

Plan and direct studies to investigate human or animal disease, preventive methods, and treatments for disease.

🔴
Daily
Importance:
96%
Planning & Development94% perform
4

Plan, administer and evaluate health safety standards and programs to improve public health, conferring with health department, industry personnel, physicians, and others.

🔴
Daily
Importance:
94%
Planning & Development91% perform
5

Provide expertise in the design, management and evaluation of study protocols and health status questionnaires, sample selection, and analysis.

🔴
Daily
Importance:
92%
Planning & Development88% perform
6

Conduct research to develop methodologies, instrumentation, and procedures for medical application, analyzing data and presenting findings.

🔴
Daily
Importance:
90%
Planning & Development85% perform
7

Consult with and advise physicians, educators, researchers, government health officials and others regarding medical applications of sciences, such as physics, biology, and chemistry.

🔴
Daily
Importance:
88%
General Responsibilities82% perform
8

Supervise professional, technical, and clerical personnel.

🔴
Daily
Importance:
86%
Management & Supervision79% perform
9

Identify and analyze public health issues related to foodborne parasitic diseases and their impact on public policies, scientific studies, or surveys.

🟡
Weekly
Importance:
84%
Analysis & Evaluation76% perform
10

Teach principles of medicine and medical and laboratory procedures to physicians, residents, students, and technicians.

🟡
Weekly
Importance:
82%
Training & Development73% perform

💡 Key Takeaways

  • Daily tasks focus primarily on planning & development activities
  • 44% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
  • Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities

What career paths are available?

Career Pathways

0
Advancement Opportunities
0
Lateral Move Options
0%
Avg. Salary Increase

Advancement Opportunities

Typical career progression paths from Epidemiologists

💡 Career Planning Tips

  • Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
  • Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
  • Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
  • Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves

Is this career right for you?

Personality & Values Fit

Is This Career Right for You?

Epidemiologists professionals typically have a ISC Holland code and highly value achievement

IInvestigative
SSocial
CConventional

Important Personality Traits

Work styles that contribute to success as a Epidemiologists

Analytical Thinking

Critical

Analytical Thinking

Importance Level4.82

Integrity

Critical

Integrity

Importance Level4.61

Attention to Detail

Critical

Attention to Detail

Importance Level4.56

Initiative

Very Important

Initiative

Importance Level4.44

Dependability

Very Important

Dependability

Importance Level4.39

Cooperation

Very Important

Cooperation

Importance Level4.28

Complete Work Styles Profile

Analytical Thinking
4.8
Integrity
4.6
Attention to Detail
4.6
Initiative
4.4
Dependability
4.4
Cooperation
4.3
Persistence
4.3
Independence
4.1
Innovation
4.1
Achievement/Effort
4.0

💡 Tips for Career Fit Success

  • While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
  • Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
  • Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
  • Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career

What education is required?

Education Level

Bachelor's degree plus work experience, or graduate degree
Typical duration: 4 years

Preparation Level

Job Zone 5
Extensive Preparation Needed

Experience Needed

Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience needed

📚 Education Requirement

Required Level:Bachelor's degree plus work experience, or graduate degree

Most of these occupations require graduate school. These may include master's, doctoral, or professional degrees.

Training:

Extensive training and work experience required

💼 Experience Requirement

Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience needed

Common pathways to gain experience:

  • Master's or doctoral degree
  • Extensive work experience in the field
  • State licensure or professional certification
5

Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed

Most of these occupations require graduate school. These may include master's, doctoral, or professional degrees.

Master's or doctoral degreeExtensive work experience in the fieldState licensure or professional certification

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