Salary, Job Description, How To Become One, and Quiz
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Epidemiologists
Epidemiologists investigate and describe the determinants and distribution of disease, disability, or health outcomes. May develop the means for prevention and control.
Table of contents
What they do
Epidemiologists investigate and describe the determinants and distribution of disease, disability, or health outcomes. May develop the means for prevention and control.
- Oversee public health programs, including statistical analysis, health care planning, surveillance systems, and public health improvement.
- Plan and direct studies to investigate human or animal disease, preventive methods, and treatments for disease.
- Provide expertise in the design, management, and evaluation of study protocols and health status questionnaires, sample selection, and analysis.
- Monitor and report incidents of infectious diseases to local and state health agencies.
Typical day
On a daily basis, Epidemiologists supervise professional, technical, and clerical personnel. They plan and direct studies to investigate human or animal disease, preventive methods, and treatments for disease.
A typical day for an Epidemiologist will also include:
- Oversee public health programs, including statistical analysis, health care planning, surveillance systems, and public health improvement.
- Monitor and report incidents of infectious diseases to local and state health agencies.
- Investigate diseases or parasites to determine cause and risk factors, progress, life cycle, or mode of transmission.
- Plan, administer, and evaluate health safety standards and programs to improve public health, conferring with the health department, industry personnel, physicians, and others.
- Provide expertise in the design, management, and evaluation of study protocols and health status questionnaires, sample selection, and analysis.
Other responsibilities
Besides their typical day, Epidemiologists also provide expertise in the design, management, and evaluation of study protocols and health status questionnaires, sample selection, and analysis. They may also prepare and analyze samples to study the effects of drugs, gases, pesticides, or microorganisms on cell structure and tissue.
On a weekly to monthly basis, Epidemiologists plan, administer and evaluate health safety standards and programs to improve public health, conferring with the health department, industry personnel, physicians, and others. They might also educate healthcare workers, patients, and the public about infectious and communicable diseases, including disease transmission and prevention.
In addition, they conduct research to develop methodologies, instrumentation, and procedures for medical application, analyzing data, and presenting findings.
Although specific duties may vary, many of them teach principles of medicine and medical and laboratory procedures to physicians, residents, students, and technicians.
To some Epidemiologists, it is also their responsibility to communicate research findings on various types of diseases to health practitioners, policymakers, and the public.
What is the job like
Job satisfaction
Is this job meaningful
77% said they were satisfied with their job and 91% said they found their job meaningful.
My name is Dr. Elizabeth Rodgers, Ph.D., MPH, RYT, CMP. I am a doctor of epidemiology.
Being an epidemiologist it’s like having a backstage pass at a concert. We get to see all of the things that go on behind the scenes to produce the simple outcomes and statistics that the public are served through the media and other sources of information. These statistics and information that impact decisions that affect the health of the entire population. As an epidemiologist I understand the data, the biases, the methodology, the analytics, appropriate study design, and the risks and benefits that come along with any research study or practical application designed to improve health for the population.
Personally as an epidemiologist I feel it’s like creating something extraordinary out of the ordinary because I personally use the science of epidemiology to trailblaze a new field by applying the science and methodology of traditional epidemiology to the micro individual level to understand and identify why we really feel the way we feel. I get to put the pieces of other peoples and my clients healthcare puzzles together to connect the dots, create comprehensive plans, and build customized healing regimes. In essence I use my skills as an epidemiologist to understand and analyze the patterns and trends of people’s healing and health journeys- this allows me to address all of the factors that impact a person’s health and ability to heal rather than simply managing their conditions and symptoms. This also allows me to monitor trends and patterns of people’s healing journeys to minimize and reduce the burden of those inevitable setbacks everyone experiences.
What is your work life like?
My work life as a traditional epidemiologist in academia was challenging because I have extremely innovative and outside of the box visions and ideas but in order to thrive in the traditional “publish or perish” environment, epidemiologists must adhere to studying the topics that available funding will shine a light on and prioritize. Now my work life is beyond anything I ever could have imagined as I design it myself. I run my own practice now and as the CEO and owner, I prioritize a healthy work-life balance as a non-negotiable. I believe in practicing what I preach and our health is truly the foundation of everything including our work and our businesses. Now my work life is simply enjoyable, spacious, creative, and full of manifestation, an opportunity to help others heal and improve their lives as a whole. I use my science as art to guide people to transform their health and lives, and it’s an honor.
Cons
Being an epidemiologist are that for the most part most people do not understand or get what we do. Even now in the time of a pandemic, people are getting one very narrow perspective of what epidemiologists can and will do with their expertise. As a result people still do not truly understand the value of an epidemiologist and the powerful work that we bring to the table.
Pros
Being an epidemiologist are having the opportunity to create something extraordinary and unique in the world and to have the opportunity to use the science to apply it at both the individual and population levels to find unique and innovative ways to help others heal and achieve sustainable and lasting health and wellness. It’s a vehicle to shift the focus from chronic illness to chronic wellness. Another pro-I get to fulfill my life’s purpose each day!
Pros
Suitable for people who like to solve problems mentally.
Suitable for people who value achievements and are results-oriented.
This career is perfect for people who love to work indoors.
Very good salary.
Cons
Not suitable for people who like to work with designs.
It is very hard to get into this career. Extensive skills, knowledge, and experience are required for this career.
Long working hours (More than 40 hours per week).
How much do they make
Average salary
Average hourly wage
Entry-level Epidemiologists with little to no experience can expect to make anywhere between $49,140 to $59,380 per year or $24 to $29 per hour.
| Salary by experience | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Highest (Top 10%) | $126,040 | $61 |
| Senior (Top 25%) | $97,270 | $47 |
| Median | $74,560 | $36 |
| Junior (Bottom 25%) | $59,380 | $29 |
| No experience (Bottom 10%) | $49,140 | $24 |
This table shows the top 10 highest paying industries for Epidemiologists based on their average annual salary.
| Salary by industry | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Grantmaking and Giving Services | $146610 | $70.49 |
| Specialty Hospitals | $135050 | $64.93 |
| Management of Companies and Enterprises | $118990 | $57.21 |
| Offices of Physicians | $116870 | $56.19 |
| Pharmaceutical and Medicine Manufacturing | $114050 | $54.83 |
| Scientific Research and Development Services | $110490 | $53.12 |
| Computer Systems Design and Related Services | $109510 | $52.65 |
| Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services | $93080 | $44.75 |
| General Medical and Surgical Hospitals | $87750 | $42.19 |
| Employment Services | $86710 | $41.69 |
View more salary by industries here.
Where can they work
Where can Epidemiologists work? Here is a table showing the top 10 largest employers of Epidemiologists including the average salary in that industry.
| Employers | Total Employed | Annual Salary | Hourly Wages |
|---|---|---|---|
| State Government | 2660 | $72790 | $35.00 |
| Local Government | 1440 | $75950 | $36.51 |
| General Medical and Surgical Hospitals | 1080 | $87750 | $42.19 |
| Scientific Research and Development Services | 680 | $110490 | $53.12 |
| Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools | 660 | $74070 | $35.61 |
| Specialty Hospitals | 150 | $135050 | $64.93 |
| Management of Companies and Enterprises | 120 | $118990 | $57.21 |
| Offices of Physicians | 110 | $116870 | $56.19 |
| Pharmaceutical and Medicine Manufacturing | 100 | $114050 | $54.83 |
| Individual and Family Services | 90 | $68540 | $32.95 |
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What is the work day like
Working hours
Working schedule
How often do you use email in this job?
Telephone
How often do you have telephone conversations in this job?
Group discussions
How often do you have group discussions in this job?
Public speaking
How often does this job require you to do public speaking?
Level of competition
How much competitive pressure is in this job?
What is the work environment like
Office-style environment
Indoors in an environmentally controlled condition
Warehouse-style environment
Indoors in a non-controlled environmental condition such as a warehouse
Outdoors
Outdoors exposed to all weather conditions
Outdoors – Under Cover
Outdoors but under cover (e.g. structure with roof but no walls)
How to become one
Difficulty to become one
Required level of education
What level of education do you need to perform the job?
Relevant majors
Environmental Health
Medical Science/Scientist
Epidemiology
Epidemiology and Biostatistics
Infectious Disease and Global Health
Cell/Cellular Biology and Histology
Relevant work experience
How much related work experience do you need to get hired for the job?
On The Job Training
How much on the job training do you need to perform the job?
Should you become one
Best personality type for this career
People with this personality likes to work with ideas that require an extensive amount of thinking. They prefer work that requires them to solve problems mentally.
People with The Builder personality type likes practical and hands-on work. They prefer working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery.
People with The Thinker personality likes to work with ideas that require an extensive amount of thinking. They prefer work that requires them to solve problems mentally.
People with The Artist personality likes to work with designs and patterns. They prefer activities that require self-expression and prefer work that can be done without following a clear set of rules.
People with The Helper personality type likes to work with people and in teams. They prefer work that allows them to build relationships with others.
People with The Leader personality likes to start and work on projects. They also like leading people and making many decisions.
People with The Organizer personality type likes to follow set procedures and routines. They prefer working with data and details more than with ideas.
You can read more about these career personality types here.
People who are suitable for this job tend to like working with ideas and require an extensive amount of thinking. They like searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.
They also like working with, communicating with, and teaching people. They like helping or providing service to others.
Take this quiz to see if this is the right career for you.
Work Values
Which values are the most important to a person’s satisfaction for this job?
You are someone who is results oriented. You prefer work that allows you to utilize your skills and abilities while at the same time giving you a sense of accomplishment.
You are someone who values job security, steady employment, and good working conditions. You also prefer work that keeps you busy all the time with something different to do every day.
You are someone who values job advancement and leadership roles. You prefer work that receives recognition for the work you do and jobs that are looked up to by others in the company and your community.
You are someone who likes to provide a service to others. You prefer a work environment where you can work with your co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment.
You are someone who values a company that stands behind their employees. You prefer a work environment where everyone is treated fairly and is being supported by the company.
You are someone who likes to work on your own and make your own decisions. You prefer work that requires little supervision and are allowed to try out your own ideas.
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