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What Do Epidemiologist Do?

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

Life As an Epidemiologist: What Do They Do?

  • Plan and direct studies to investigate human or animal disease, preventive methods, and treatments for disease.
  • Identify and analyze public health issues related to foodborne parasitic diseases and their impact on public policies, scientific studies, or surveys.
  • Oversee public health programs, including statistical analysis, health care planning, surveillance systems, and public health improvement.
  • Communicate research findings on various types of diseases to health practitioners, policy makers, and the public.
  • Teach principles of medicine and medical and laboratory procedures to physicians, residents, students, and technicians.
  • Provide expertise in the design, management and evaluation of study protocols and health status questionnaires, sample selection, and analysis.

What Every Epidemiologist Should Know

Below is a list of the skills most Epidemiologists say are important on the job.

Science: Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems.

Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.

Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Active Learning: Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.

Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Judgment and Decision Making: Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

Other Epidemiologist Job Titles

  • Communicable Disease Specialist
  • Public Health Epidemiologist
  • Malariologist
  • Nurse Epidemiologist
  • Public Health Microbiologist

Is There Job Demand for Epidemiologists?

In 2016, there was an estimated number of 6,100 jobs in the United States for Epidemiologist. New jobs are being produced at a rate of 8.2% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 500 new jobs for Epidemiologist by 2026. There will be an estimated 600 positions for Epidemiologist per year.

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The states with the most job growth for Epidemiologist are South Carolina, Florida, and Nebraska. Watch out if you plan on working in Virginia, Oregon, or Oklahoma. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.

What is the Average Salary of an Epidemiologist

The average yearly salary of an Epidemiologist ranges between $42,240 and $112,600.

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Epidemiologists who work in New Jersey, District of Columbia, or Massachusetts, make the highest salaries.

Below is a list of the median annual salaries for Epidemiologists in different U.S. states.

State Annual Mean Salary
Arizona $59,650
Arkansas $62,890
California $92,040
Colorado $60,550
Connecticut $86,250
District of Columbia $106,740
Florida $44,350
Georgia $64,160
Illinois $84,810
Indiana $74,640
Kansas $63,820
Kentucky $53,560
Louisiana $54,620
Maryland $77,330
Massachusetts $107,670
Michigan $72,820
Minnesota $71,870
Missouri $61,110
Montana $66,360
New Jersey $94,450
New Mexico $67,130
New York $91,880
North Carolina $82,820
Ohio $69,680
Oklahoma $68,530
Oregon $71,470
Pennsylvania $79,690
Tennessee $84,560
Texas $71,320
Virginia $67,110
Washington $102,490
West Virginia $51,910
Wisconsin $78,250

What Tools do Epidemiologists Use?

Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Epidemiologists:

  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft Word
  • Microsoft Office
  • Microsoft PowerPoint
  • Microsoft Outlook
  • Web browser software
  • Microsoft Access
  • Word processing software
  • Data visualization software
  • Structured query language SQL
  • Database software
  • SAS
  • Facebook
  • IBM SPSS Statistics
  • R
  • Geographic information system GIS software
  • Tableau
  • StataCorp Stata
  • ESRI ArcView
  • ESRI ArcInfo

How do I Become an Epidemiologist?

Are there Epidemiologists education requirements?

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How Long Does it Take to Become an Epidemiologist?

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Where Epidemiologists Are Employed

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The table below shows the approximate number of Epidemiologists employed by various industries.

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Other Jobs You May be Interested In

Those interested in being an Epidemiologist may also be interested in:

Are you already one of the many Epidemiologist in the United States? If you’re thinking about changing careers, these fields are worth exploring:

References:

Image Credit: Ernst Haeckel via public domain

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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