Provide and manage health education programs that help individuals, families, and their communities maximize and maintain healthy lifestyles. Use data to identify community needs prior to planning, implementing, monitoring, and evaluating programs designed to encourage healthy lifestyles, policies, and environments. May link health systems, health providers, insurers, and patients to address individual and population health needs. May serve as resource to assist individuals, other health professionals, or the community, and may administer fiscal resources for health education programs.
Health Education Specialists
SOC: 21-1091 O*NET: 21-1091.00
Median Salary
$63,000
per year
Job Growth
📈 4.5%
Faster (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
7.9
projected jobs/year
Education Level
Bachelor's degree or higher
Job Zone 4
Provide and manage health education programs that help individuals, families, and their communities maximize and maintain healthy lifestyles. Use data to identify community needs prior to planning, implementing, monitoring, and evaluating programs designed to encourage healthy lifestyles, policies, and environments. May link health systems, health providers, insurers, and patients to address individual and population health needs. May serve as resource to assist individuals, other health professionals, or the community, and may administer fiscal resources for health education programs.
What does a Health Education Specialists do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$42,210
10th percentile
Early Career
$49,880
25th percentile
Median
$63,000
50th percentile
Experienced
$84,460
75th percentile
Top Earners
$112,900
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$42,210
25th
$49,880
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$63,000
Mean: $71,700
75th
$84,460
90th
$112,900
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $70,690 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $49,880 and $84,460
- •Salary spread is 54.9% around the median, showing high variation
- •Total national employment: 65,150 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Medium Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:71,800
Top Industries
Ambulatory Health Care Services17.9%
Hospitals12.6%
General Medical and Surgical Hospitals12%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:+4.5%
Annual Openings:7,900
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)71,800
Current
2034 (Projected)75,000
+4.5%
+3,200
Employment Change
+4.5%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: As fast as average
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Health Education Specialists professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 50 locations
California
14,650 jobs$60,1501.92x
Texas
4,550 jobs$56,2100.78x
New York
3,850 jobs$60,3200.95x
Georgia
3,260 jobs$97,0101.59x
Florida
2,710 jobs$53,4600.65x
Pennsylvania
2,230 jobs$75,0200.88x
Maryland
2,160 jobs$101,0901.86x
Massachusetts
1,970 jobs$62,2701.28x
North Carolina
1,830 jobs$54,7200.88x
Michigan
1,820 jobs$52,8300.98x
Washington
1,810 jobs$72,5401.21x
Indiana
1,660 jobs$59,9501.24x
Ohio
1,620 jobs$68,3700.69x
Minnesota
1,480 jobs$78,0801.20x
New Jersey
1,220 jobs$78,4000.68x
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
- •Average growth expected
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Writing
100%
#2
Speaking
94%
#3
Active Listening
86%
#4
Learning Strategies
80%
#5
Active Learning
74%
#6
Social Perceptiveness
66%
#7
Reading Comprehension
60%
#8
Critical Thinking
54%
#9
Coordination
46%
#10
Time Management
40%
Skills Overview
Writing
advanced5.0
100%
Speaking
advanced4.7
94%
Active Listening
intermediate4.3
86%
Learning Strategies
intermediate4.0
80%
Active Learning
intermediate3.7
74%
Social Perceptiveness
intermediate3.3
66%
Reading Comprehension
basic3.0
60%
Critical Thinking
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:
Writing
advancedImportance100%
skills
5.0/5.0
Speaking
advancedImportance94%
skills
4.7/5.0
Active Listening
intermediateImportance86%
skills
4.3/5.0
Learning Strategies
intermediateImportance80%
skills
4.0/5.0
Active Learning
intermediateImportance74%
abilities
3.7/5.0
Social Perceptiveness
intermediateImportance66%
skills
3.3/5.0
Reading Comprehension
basicImportance60%
abilities
3.0/5.0
Critical Thinking
basicImportance54%
abilities
2.7/5.0
Coordination
basicImportance46%
skills
2.3/5.0
Time Management
basicImportance40%
skills
2.0/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants82%
5 shared skills
Writers and Authors82%
5 shared skills
Office Clerks, General73%
5 shared skills
Adult Basic Education, Adult Secondary Education, and English as a Second Language Instructors67%
5 shared skills
Advertising and Promotions Managers67%
5 shared skills
Agents and Business Managers of Artists, Performers, and Athletes67%
5 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Must Have:
- ✓Writing
- ✓Speaking
- ✓Active Listening
- ✓Learning Strategies
Learn on the Job:
- →Social Perceptiveness
- →Reading Comprehension
- →Critical Thinking
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Writing
- ✓Speaking
- ✓Active Listening
- ✓Learning Strategies
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Writing
- ★Speaking
- ★Active Listening
- ★Learning Strategies
- ★Active Learning
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 Health Education Specialists
Technology Intensity
High
Digital Literacy Requirements
This career requires advanced digital literacy
1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert
Key Digital Competencies:
Proficiency with specialized softwareTechnical documentationData analysis toolsSystem integration
🔥
Hot Technologies in Demand
These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field
Microsoft Access
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Outlook
🔥 Hot TechAdobe Photoshop
🔥 Hot TechMEDITECH software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Office software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft PowerPoint
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Visio
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Excel
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Word
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
Microsoft Access
Microsoft Outlook
Adobe Photoshop
MEDITECH software
Microsoft Office software
Microsoft PowerPoint
Microsoft Visio
Microsoft Excel
Facebook
Microsoft Word
📚 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
HIGH
👥
Team Orientation
MOSTLY TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
CONSTANT
💡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 high 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:
Documentation & Record-Keeping (4)Planning & Development (11)Management & Supervision (1)
1
Document activities and record information, such as the numbers of applications completed, presentations conducted, and persons assisted.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping100% perform100%
2
Develop and present health education and promotion programs, such as training workshops, conferences, and school or community presentations.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development97% perform98%
3
Develop and maintain cooperative working relationships with agencies and organizations interested in public health care.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development94% perform96%
4
Develop operational plans and policies necessary to achieve health education objectives and services.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development91% perform94%
5
Collaborate with health specialists and civic groups to determine community health needs and the availability of services and to develop goals for meeting needs.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development88% perform92%
6
Maintain databases, mailing lists, telephone networks, and other information to facilitate the functioning of health education programs.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping85% perform90%
7
Supervise professional and technical staff in implementing health programs, objectives, and goals.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Management & Supervision82% perform88%
8
Design and conduct evaluations and diagnostic studies to assess the quality and performance of health education programs.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development79% perform86%
9
Provide program information to the public by preparing and presenting press releases, conducting media campaigns, or maintaining program-related Web sites.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping76% perform84%
10
Develop, prepare, and coordinate grant applications and grant-related activities to obtain funding for health education programs and related work.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
Planning & Development73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on documentation & record-keeping 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 Health Education Specialists
💡 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?
Health Education Specialists professionals typically have a SIC Holland code and highly value relationships
SSocial
IInvestigative
CConventional
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Health Education Specialists
Integrity
CriticalIntegrity
Importance Level4.79
Cooperation
CriticalCooperation
Importance Level4.72
Dependability
CriticalDependability
Importance Level4.62
Attention to Detail
Very ImportantAttention to Detail
Importance Level4.49
Concern for Others
Very ImportantConcern for Others
Importance Level4.41
Independence
Very ImportantIndependence
Importance Level4.39
Complete Work Styles Profile
Integrity
4.8
Cooperation
4.7
Dependability
4.6
Attention to Detail
4.5
Concern for Others
4.4
Independence
4.4
Adaptability/Flexibility
4.3
Self-Control
4.3
Achievement/Effort
4.2
Initiative
4.2
💡 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 or higher
Typical duration: 4 years
Preparation Level
Job Zone 4
Considerable Preparation Needed
Experience Needed
A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience needed
📚 Education Requirement
Required Level:Bachelor's degree or higher
Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
Training:
Significant preparation with related work experience
💼 Experience Requirement
A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience needed
Common pathways to gain experience:
- • Bachelor's degree in related field
- • Several years of work experience
- • Professional certifications often required
4
Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
Bachelor's degree in related fieldSeveral years of work experienceProfessional certifications often required
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