At a Glance
If you’re researching how to become an epidemiologist, the typical entry requirement is a master’s degree: either a Master of Public Health (MPH) with an epidemiology concentration or a Master of Science (MS) in Epidemiology. Most entry-level roles also expect hands-on field experience through a practicum or internship. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the field is projected to grow 16 percent from 2024 to 2034, with a median salary of $83,980.
During the 2014 Ebola outbreak in West Africa, public health teams mapped transmission chains across three countries, identified thousands of contacts, and contributed to an internationally coordinated response that ultimately halted transmission. The professionals leading much of that work weren’t practicing physicians. They were epidemiologists. When COVID-19 emerged in 2020, epidemiologists at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and at state and local health departments were conducting case surveillance, contact investigations, and early transmission modeling in the first weeks after confirmed U.S. cases were identified.
If that kind of work interests you, here’s what it actually takes to get there: the education path, the skills employers want, and what the job market looks like once you have your degree.
What Epidemiologists Do
Epidemiologists investigate the causes and patterns of disease, injury, and other health conditions within populations. They design studies, collect and analyze data, identify risk factors, and translate findings into public health guidance. The work appears at every level: state health departments tracking flu trends, the CDC monitoring foodborne illness outbreaks, universities studying the long-term health effects of environmental exposures, and pharmaceutical companies running clinical outcomes research.
The day-to-day varies significantly by setting. Applied epidemiologists at health departments focus on disease surveillance, tracking incidence data, investigating active outbreaks, and preparing reports for public health officials. Research epidemiologists at universities and federal agencies design longer-term studies and publish findings. Those in the private sector work on clinical trials, drug safety research, and health risk modeling for insurers and consulting firms.
One thing that often surprises people entering the field is that infectious disease is just one subspecialty. Cancer epidemiology, environmental epidemiology, injury epidemiology, and chronic disease epidemiology are all well-established career tracks, each with its own employer networks and methodological emphases.
16%
Employment of epidemiologists is projected to grow 16 percent from 2024 to 2034, much faster than the average for all occupations, according to the
Bureau of Labor Statistics.
How to Become an Epidemiologist
The path into epidemiology runs through a master’s degree, but the steps before and after that credential matter just as much. Here’s how the career path typically unfolds.
Step 1: Complete a Bachelor’s Degree
There’s no required undergraduate major for epidemiology. Programs in biology, public health, health sciences, sociology, psychology, and statistics all build useful groundwork. What matters more than your major is evidence of quantitative aptitude and some exposure to research methods. If your bachelor’s degree is in a non-science field, that doesn’t close the door. It means you’ll want to seek out relevant coursework or work experience before applying to graduate programs.
Competitive MPH and MS applicants typically have at least one statistics course on their transcript and some exposure to health-related work through a job, internship, or volunteer placement. Neither needs to be formal research experience, but the stronger that foundation is, the better positioned you’ll be when you apply.
Step 2: Earn a Master’s Degree
A master’s degree is typically the minimum entry point for the profession. Most epidemiologists hold one of two degrees: an MPH with an epidemiology concentration or an MS in Epidemiology. The programs overlap significantly, but they have different emphases worth understanding before you apply. Keep in mind that curricula vary considerably by institution, and the distinctions below reflect general tendencies rather than hard rules.
The MPH is a generalist professional degree. An epidemiology concentration within an MPH covers study design, biostatistics, and disease surveillance while keeping you connected to other public health disciplines, including health policy, environmental health, and program management. The MS in Epidemiology is generally more focused on research methodology and statistical analysis, which can make it a better fit if you’re aiming toward academic research or a federal agency position that demands great quantitative skills. That said, many MPH programs offer rigorous quantitative training, and many MS programs include applied public health components. Programs accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH) are widely recognized by employers and graduate admissions committees.
| Degree |
Primary Focus |
Best Fit For |
| MPH in Epidemiology |
Applied public health, surveillance, and program work |
State/local health departments, NGOs, federal agencies |
| MS in Epidemiology |
Research methods, biostatistics, and study design |
Academic research, NIH/CDC research positions |
| PhD in Epidemiology |
Independent research, methodology development |
Faculty roles, senior federal research positions |
Full-time master’s programs typically take two years to complete. Accelerated and part-time options exist, and several programs now offer fully online or hybrid formats. Browse online epidemiology degree programs to compare flexible formats that don’t require relocating or leaving your current job.
Step 3: Build Field Experience
Most graduate programs require a practicum or fieldwork placement as part of the degree. That placement is your first real asset on the job market. Targeted experience at a state or local health department, the CDC, the National Institutes of Health (NIH), or a research university strengthens your candidacy for entry-level positions considerably.
One program worth knowing about early: the CDC’s Epidemic Intelligence Service (EIS) is a two-year applied epidemiology fellowship that places graduates in field assignments at CDC headquarters or with state health departments. It’s highly selective, and most successful applicants have relevant post-graduate work or research experience. Completing the EIS is widely recognized in the field as strong preparation for careers in applied epidemiology. Entry-level roles outside the EIS often carry titles like epidemiologist I, public health analyst, surveillance coordinator, or research associate. These positions build the applied experience needed for senior roles.
Step 4: Consider Professional Certification
The Certified in Public Health (CPH) credential from the National Board of Public Health Examiners is optional and recognized by many employers, particularly for early-career professionals in competitive hiring markets. Some states have their own certification programs relevant to applied epidemiology work, though these vary and are not universally required. Neither credential is mandatory for most entry-level positions, but both can help differentiate candidates in a field where many applicants hold similar academic qualifications.
Do You Need a Science Background?
No, but strong quantitative skills are generally expected. Epidemiology is fundamentally a statistical discipline. You’ll need to understand study design, probability, regression analysis, and confounding. That foundation can come from a biology degree. Still, it can also come from a sociology or psychology program with a strong methods component, or from a non-traditional background paired with graduate coursework in biostatistics.
People successfully enter epidemiology from nursing, social work, environmental science, public policy, and even business analytics. What matters to admissions programs and hiring managers isn’t your undergraduate label. It’s evidence that you can handle quantitative work at a graduate level. If your background is light on statistics, a community college course or an online biostatistics introduction can strengthen your application considerably. For a deeper look at how different degree paths connect to public health specialties, the guide to careers in epidemiology covers the full landscape of entry points and subspecializations.
Key Skills and Tools
Epidemiologists work at the intersection of data analysis and public communication. The skills that matter in practice cover both sides of that equation.
Statistical Analysis and Study Design
Designing valid studies and analyzing complex datasets is the core of the work. You’ll need fluency in cohort studies, case-control designs, cross-sectional analysis, and survival analysis, plus the ability to interpret results accurately and account for confounding and bias. Graduate coursework builds this foundation. Applied experience sharpens it.
Statistical Software
SAS and R are commonly requested tools in epidemiologist job postings. Stata has a strong presence in academic and research settings. Python is increasingly common in data science-adjacent epidemiology roles, particularly for large administrative datasets. Some applied positions at health departments still rely on Excel for routine reporting and presentation work.
Data Communication
Epidemiologists translate complex findings for non-technical audiences: public health officials, policymakers, journalists, and community members. Strong writing skills and the ability to explain statistical concepts clearly are listed in nearly every job description at every level of the field. This is not a secondary skill. It’s as important as the analysis itself.
Field Investigation and Surveillance
For applied roles at health departments, outbreak investigation requires structured interviewing, survey administration, and the ability to work under time pressure. State and local agencies continuously manage disease surveillance systems, and epidemiologists contribute to both data collection and reporting cycles.
Epidemiologist Salary and Job Outlook
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook, the median annual wage for epidemiologists was $83,980 in May 2024. The field is projected to grow 16 percent from 2024 to 2034, a rate the BLS classifies as much faster than average, with about 800 openings projected annually over the decade. There were approximately 12,300 epidemiologist positions in the United States as of 2024.
| BLS Quick Facts: Epidemiologists |
Data (May 2024) |
| Median Annual Wage |
$83,980 |
| Projected Job Growth (2024-2034) |
16% |
| Avg. Annual Job Openings |
~800 |
| Total Jobs in Field (2024) |
12,300 |
Source: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, Epidemiologists, May 2024 data.
Compensation varies by employer type. Federal positions tend to follow the General Schedule (GS) pay scales, which generally place federal epidemiologists above the national median, particularly at agencies such as the CDC and NIH. State and local health department salaries vary widely by region and agency budget. Private sector roles in pharmaceutical research and consulting have historically offered competitive compensation at the higher end of the range, though specifics vary by company and location. Geographic location also plays a role, with epidemiologists in major metro areas typically earning more than those in smaller markets.
Beyond the Job Title
One reality that trips up new job seekers: many positions doing epidemiological work don’t carry the title “epidemiologist.” Budget-constrained agencies post roles as disease control specialists, surveillance coordinators, or public health analysts. Research universities hire under titles like research associate or biostatistician. Contract research organizations use outcomes researchers or clinical data analysts. Private-sector firms may use health economists or data scientists.
This isn’t a problem. It’s an advantage. Someone with an MPH in epidemiology qualifies for a broader range of positions than a narrow title search will surface. Searching by skill set and function opens significantly more doors. The guide to public health careers covers the full spectrum of roles that draw on epidemiological training across sectors.
Epidemiologist: Core title at health departments, federal agencies, and research institutions
Surveillance Coordinator: Tracks disease data for state and local agencies, a common entry-level and mid-level title
Public Health Analyst: Data analysis and program evaluation are common in federal roles and public health consulting
Outcomes Researcher: Evaluates treatment effectiveness, common in pharmaceutical and health insurance sectors.
Disease Control Specialist: Outbreak response and surveillance focus at state and county health departments
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to become an epidemiologist?
Most people enter the field after a four-year bachelor’s degree followed by a two-year master’s program, putting the typical timeline at around six years of formal education. Building field experience through a graduate practicum or post-degree internship adds time, but many people land entry-level positions directly after completing their master’s. A doctoral degree isn’t required for most roles, though it’s expected for academic faculty positions or senior federal research roles.
Can I become an epidemiologist without a science background?
Yes. Many epidemiologists come from non-science fields, including social sciences, public policy, nursing, and health administration. Graduate programs look for quantitative aptitude, typically evidence of at least one statistics course and some research or health-related work experience. If your undergraduate background is light on quantitative coursework, supplementing it before applying to master’s programs will strengthen your candidacy considerably.
Is an MPH enough to work as an epidemiologist?
For most applied epidemiology roles at health departments, federal agencies, NGOs, and private sector firms, yes. An MPH with an epidemiology concentration is typically the expected entry-level credential. A PhD is generally required for academic faculty positions or independent senior research roles. The choice should be driven by the kind of work you want to do daily, not the assumption that more education is always better.
What’s the difference between an epidemiologist and a biostatistician?
Both work heavily with data in public health settings, but the emphases differ. Epidemiologists focus on study design, disease causation, and population health outcomes. Biostatisticians specialize in statistical methodology, developing and applying the analytical tools that epidemiologists use. The fields overlap significantly, and many people hold training in both. Positions specifically titled “biostatistician” typically require more extensive statistical training and are more common in academic and federal research settings.
What are the best ways to break into the field after graduation?
Your graduate practicum placement is the most direct entry point. Treat it strategically and prioritize placements at organizations where you want to work after graduation. The CDC’s Epidemic Intelligence Service fellowship is the most prestigious applied epidemiology pathway, though it’s highly competitive. The public health scholarships and fellowships page lists funding and program opportunities across the field. The Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists (CSTE) also posts fellowships and early-career jobs specifically for applied epidemiologists.
Key Takeaways
- A master’s degree is typically required to enter the field. An MPH with an epidemiology concentration is well-suited to applied roles, while an MS in Epidemiology is well-suited to research-focused careers.
- An undergraduate degree in a hard science isn’t required, but graduate programs and employers generally expect strong quantitative skills and research experience.
- The BLS projects 16 percent employment growth for epidemiologists from 2024 to 2034, with a median salary of $83,980, well above the national median for all occupations.
- Many roles doing epidemiological work carry different job titles. Searching by skill set rather than title alone opens a wider range of opportunities.
- Field experience from graduate practicums, state health department work, and competitive fellowships like the CDC’s EIS program matters as much as the degree itself.
Ready to explore accredited MPH and epidemiology programs? Browse options by format and location to find a path that fits your goals and schedule.
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Laura Bennett, MPH is a public health professional with over 12 years of experience in community health education and program coordination. She specializes in helping aspiring professionals explore flexible education pathways, including online and hybrid public health degree programs. Laura is passionate about making public health careers more accessible through practical, accredited training
2024 US Bureau of Labor Statistics salary and job market figures for Epidemiologists represent state and national data, not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed June 2026.
