CFChooseField
Science

Epidemiologists

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

Visual summary of pay, outlook, skills, interests, and preparation for Epidemiologists
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Median pay

$83,980
Median annual pay for Epidemiologists.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024
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10-year growth

16.2%
Projected employment growth from 2024 to 2034.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
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Annual openings

800
Projected annual openings, including growth and replacement demand.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
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Employment

12,300
Estimated U.S. employment for Epidemiologists in 2024.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024
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Jobs added or lost

+2,000
Projected numeric employment change from 2024 to 2034.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
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Entry preparation

Master's degree
Typical education needed to enter Epidemiologists.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024 profile
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O*NET occupation profile

What the work involves

Strongest O*NET signals first.

Essential skills

  1. 1Critical Thinking
  2. 2Reading Comprehension
  3. 3Active Listening
  4. 4Science
  5. 5Speaking
  6. 6Writing

Knowledge areas

  1. 1Mathematics
  2. 2Biology
  3. 3English Language
  4. 4Medicine and Dentistry
  5. 5Computers and Electronics
  6. 6Communications and Media

Abilities

  1. 1Inductive Reasoning
  2. 2Oral Comprehension
  3. 3Written Comprehension
  4. 4Oral Expression
  5. 5Problem Sensitivity
  6. 6Written Expression

Career interests

  1. 1Investigative
  2. 2Social
  3. 3Conventional
  4. 4Realistic
  5. 5Enterprising
  6. 6Artistic

Work styles

  1. 1Attention to Detail
  2. 2Intellectual Curiosity
  3. 3Dependability
  4. 4Integrity
  5. 5Cautiousness
  6. 6Adaptability

Work activities

  1. 1Analyzing Data or Information
  2. 2Making Decisions and Solving Problems
  3. 3Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others
  4. 4Processing Information
  5. 5Working with Computers
  6. 6Getting Information

Work context

  1. 1E-Mail
  2. 2Indoors, Environmentally Controlled
  3. 3Importance of Being Exact or Accurate
  4. 4Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
  5. 5Telephone Conversations
  6. 6Freedom to Make Decisions

Representative tasks

  • Communicate research findings on various types of diseases to health practitioners, policy makers, and the public.
  • Oversee public health programs, including statistical analysis, health care planning, surveillance systems, and public health improvement.
  • Investigate diseases or parasites to determine cause and risk factors, progress, life cycle, or mode of transmission.
  • Educate healthcare workers, patients, and the public about infectious and communicable diseases, including disease transmission and prevention.
  • Monitor and report incidents of infectious diseases to local and state health agencies.
  • 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.
  • Write articles for publication in professional journals.

Software and tools

Microsoft Office software · in demandMicrosoft PowerPoint · in demandR · in demandMicrosoft Excel · in demandSAS · in demandMicrosoft Outlook · hot technologyIBM SPSS Statistics · hot technologyMicrosoft Word · hot technologyFacebook · hot technologyPython · hot technologyMicrosoft Access · hot technologyStructured query language SQL · hot technology

Sources

BLS provides national pay, employment, and projections. O*NET provides skills, interests, preparation, tasks, work context, and tools.

ChooseField compares fields using public labor-market and professional sources.