Epidemiologist
Science & ResearchYou study how diseases spread through populations, which became the most talked-about job in the world circa 2020 and then went right back to being something nobody understands at dinner parties. You'll investigate outbreaks, analyze health data, and design interventions to prevent disease — all while trying to communicate risk to a public that either panics or shrugs depending on the news cycle.
Salary Range
Low
$55k
Median
$78k
High
$125k
10-Year Growth
much faster
US Workers
9K
Education
Master's in public health (MPH) with epidemiology concentration, PhD for senior research roles
Environment
indoor
Tools & Technical Skills
- ▸Epidemiological study design (cohort, case-control, cross-sectional)
- ▸Biostatistics and statistical analysis (SAS, R, Stata)
- ▸Disease surveillance systems (NEDSS, BioSense)
- ▸Outbreak investigation methodology
- ▸Geographic Information Systems (GIS) for health mapping
- ▸Grant writing and peer-reviewed publication
People & Mindset Skills
- ▸Scientific communication to non-scientists
- ▸Critical thinking and evidence appraisal
- ▸Ethical research practices
- ▸Collaboration with public health agencies
- ▸Composure during public health crises
Learn the skills
Courses and certifications to get you job-ready
Biostatistics and statistical analysis (SAS, R, Stata)
Geographic Information Systems (GIS) for health mapping
What you'll actually do
- 01Investigate disease outbreaks by tracking cases, identifying sources, and recommending containment measures
- 02Analyze surveillance data from hospitals, labs, and health departments to spot trends before they become emergencies
- 03Design epidemiological studies with cohorts, controls, and methodologies that will hold up to peer review
- 04Communicate findings to public health officials who must translate your data into policy that people will actually follow
- 05Write grants and research papers that compete for funding in a field where everyone's studying the next pandemic
- 06Navigate the tension between scientific caution and the public's demand for definitive answers you can't always give
Related Shifts
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